Dudu Mimran Blog

Is Web 3.0 The Right Name for The Next Internet Uphill?

I get to see here and there the term '3.0' used in reference to the next internet/technology revolution and somehow it does not feel right to me. I am not sure about this but for me the coined term '2.0' was a metaphor belonging to the concept of software versioning. If the the first internet era where infrastructure was established is called '1.0' implying the first version of a product then what we had recently was a '2.0' where the product, hence the internet, has become more streamlined towards users in terms of services, ease of use and diversity. As in software there are always other versions such as 3.0 and 4.0 etc... but none of these compares to the unique characteristics '1.0' and '2.0' have.

In software usually the 1.0 includes basic infrastructure for enabling core functionality as well as diverse set of features coming from the delirious minds of the developers and maybe potential customers. It is usually very spread out and less focused though very appealing thanks to the creative sense of it. The 2.0 usually is an organized effort to address the needs of specific audiences after getting real feedback and real experience with the 1.0 version. I believe the internet did behave in correspondence with this lifecycle during last two uphills.

If we try to envision the next uphill (assuming there will be one, hopefully) then it can come in two flavors (or more I have to be humble): The '3.0' style where the product/internet becomes less creative and spread out while maturing current capabilities and extending them to address more perfectly different users' needs. The second option is to have a spinoff on the '2.0' product series but actually to create something new which can and should be called '1.0' again.

I personally prefer option 2:)

Everyone focus now on revenues and efficiency as opposed to last year efforts?

End of year is full of posts about how all startups and CEOs (now after the market meltdown) are going to be focused in 2009 on revenues, efficiency, listening to customers, making better products and more...

Just the other day I read Some startup CEOs’ New Years resolutions where most resolutions sound like boiler plated stuff. It is not that I don't appreciate efficiency and revenues, don't get me wrong, but still one has to ask what was the focus last year? I understand the pressures these companies have on them, especially from some of their investors whom would like to see results (what are results when you try to build up something?) but these responses seem to only satisfy the eager investor ears and nothing more.

In general every time the market goes either up or down new mantras are invented - or reused. Usually when the market goes up you are required as an entrepreneur to make sure you see for the long strategic term, have a scalable technology that can cope with potential huge market adoption, build a solid and endurable team and infrastructure as a company as well as others. Actions whom usually take long time, cost a lot and do not bring near term financial results. When the market is down then you should forget about all the nonsense (just previously advised) and now refocus on making money and spending less.

Although the down trend creates suggestions that seem logical, I am not sure new companies being created, if one considers a new company as a growing living entity, can be bent towards people's wishes just based on the current weather or market trend. There are companies or products with no revenues in nature - twitter up to the moment, and there are those who require heavy investment in R&D. Sometimes, changing the strategic goals for venture at a certain point of time can mean end of life. Everyone wants a cash cow eventuallt but how can you milk a calf that was just born? Or grow him with minimal food?