Looking at the state of the world wide web today, it looks as though the Web2.0 craze/meme/whathaveyou is starting to pass us by. Or at least, has reached critical mass. With it's foundations in interactivity, user-generated content, and the advent of the web application, I believe that it has provided us a stable environment with which we can play and create.
This leaves me wondering what is next on the horizon. Without being too cliche, dare I ask what Web 3.0 will bring?
Looking at the work I've done over the past year, the projects I've been involved with, and seeing how the web is evolving... I'm predicting that what is to come is going to be the Age of the API, if it isn't here already.
We're at a point right now where most of the major "service provider sites" (YouTube, Flickr, Facebook, etc) are providing developer kits and API access into their systems. This means that anybody with a lick of programming know-how (and even some that couldn't tell their php from javascript) can whip up a new application/site/widget/service that leverages existing providers infrastructure and resources.
Even with my daily projects, most of the work involves taking our core application and integrating it with a peripheral system through a series of API calls to automate our workflows. Why re-invent the wheel when you can partner/subscribe to a niche service that does what you need it to do, and does it very well, and you just have to create some minor programming calls and a new interface in your existing program. With API integration, good partners, and a handful of in-house programmers... I can develop for less, and be to market faster than outsourcing the entire project.
This leaves me wondering what is next on the horizon. Without being too cliche, dare I ask what Web 3.0 will bring?
Looking at the work I've done over the past year, the projects I've been involved with, and seeing how the web is evolving... I'm predicting that what is to come is going to be the Age of the API, if it isn't here already.
We're at a point right now where most of the major "service provider sites" (YouTube, Flickr, Facebook, etc) are providing developer kits and API access into their systems. This means that anybody with a lick of programming know-how (and even some that couldn't tell their php from javascript) can whip up a new application/site/widget/service that leverages existing providers infrastructure and resources.
Even with my daily projects, most of the work involves taking our core application and integrating it with a peripheral system through a series of API calls to automate our workflows. Why re-invent the wheel when you can partner/subscribe to a niche service that does what you need it to do, and does it very well, and you just have to create some minor programming calls and a new interface in your existing program. With API integration, good partners, and a handful of in-house programmers... I can develop for less, and be to market faster than outsourcing the entire project.
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