The Mystery of the Web3 or Web 3.0 Phenomena
Diving into the rabbit hole of web3 and web 3.0
Have you ever wondered when you’re searching the internet why you see web3 or web 3.0? Nobody seems to know what they should be called. Is that because there is a difference between the two?
Hmmm, let’s delve into that question further. At the same time, we will look at definitions, history, differences, disadvantages and advantages, the possibility of their meshing into one entity, usability, and name confusion.
Definitions Are Needed.
Web 3.0
To start with, Web 3.0 is a term used to describe the next evolution of the internet. Picture the development of new technologies such as blockchain, artificial intelligence, and the Internet of Things (IoT) shaping the internet. You will notice a shift from centralized, server-based systems to decentralized, peer-to-peer networks and from a web of documents to a web of data.
What does decentralized mean? Decentralized means that power or control is spread among multiple individuals or groups rather than being controlled by a central authority. Decision-making and problem-solving are distributed among the members rather than being centralized in a single leader or organization. This can lead to a more democratic and equitable system. Unfortunately, it can make it more difficult to make quick decisions or implement changes. 🤔
In Web 3.0, you will have greater control over your data and will be able to interact with it in more sophisticated ways, such as through the use of smart contracts and decentralized applications.
Web3
On the other hand, Web3 refers to the third generation of web technologies built on decentralized systems and blockchain technology. It is also known as the "decentralized web," and it aims to give users more control over their data. It allows you to interact with decentralized applications (dApps) built on blockchain platforms such as Ethereum.
Web3 allows for secure, transparent, and direct user interactions without intermediaries and enables new use cases like decentralized finance, digital identities, and non-fungible tokens (NFTs).
What Are the Differences?
Web 3.0
Next on our list is to discuss the differences between web 3.0 and web3. Web 3.0 is all about focusing on efficiency and intelligence. This is done through reusing and linking data throughout websites. Moreover, data interchange technologies like RDF, SPARQL, OWL, and SKOS are used to implement data security. I would be amiss, however, if I did not mention that changing data is quickly done.
The semantic web stores user data in a central location called the solid pod. The solid pod is also responsible for issuing unique WebIDs to users. This is useful because it acts as an identity within the network.
Web3
Web3, on the other hand, refers to using decentralized protocols such as Ethereum and The InterPlanetary File System (IPFS) to build decentralized applications that run on the blockchain. These applications use smart contracts to enable secure and transparent transactions and can be accessed using a web3 browser.
In summary, Web 3.0 is the concept of the next evolution of the web, and Web3 is a specific implementation of the idea in the context of decentralized applications built on blockchain technology.
Brief History and Founders
Web 3.0
The founder of web 3.0 is Tim Berners-Lee, a web 3.0 pioneer (and www inventor). Interestingly enough, he does not believe in blockchain technology.
In Wikipedia, there is a quote by Berners-Lee (also known as the father of the web) which initially expressed his vision of the Semantic Web in 1999 as follows:
“I have a dream for the Web [in which computers] become capable of analyzing all the data on the Web – the content, links, and transactions between people and computers. A "Semantic Web" which makes this possible has yet to emerge. Still, when it does, the day-to-day mechanisms of trade, bureaucracy, and our daily lives will be handled by machines talking to machines. The "intelligent agents" people have touted for ages will finally materialize.”
Now, let’s go further down the rabbit hole.
Web3
Gavin Wood is a co-founder of Ethereum and the founder of the Web3 Foundation. He is a computer scientist and software developer who was heavily involved in the development of Ethereum and was the chief technology officer of the Ethereum project from 2014-2016.
Wood came up with the term "Web3" in 2014. In 2021, it gained significant attention from various groups, including cryptocurrency enthusiasts, tech companies, and venture capital firms.
After leaving Ethereum, Wood founded the Web3 Foundation, a non-profit organization aiming to promote and support decentralized technologies, including blockchain. He is also a co-founder of Parity Technologies, a company that provides infrastructure and services for the Web3 ecosystem. He has been actively working on promoting decentralization and blockchain technology since then.
What Is the Semantic Web?
Again referring to Wikipedia, “The Semantic Web, sometimes known as Web 3.0 (not to be confused with Web3), is an extension of the World Wide Web through standards set by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). The goal of the Semantic Web is to make Internet data machine-readable.”
Moreover, the critical goal of the Semantic Web is to trigger the evolution of the existing Web to enable users to search, discover, share and join information with less effort. Humans can use the web to execute multiple tasks, such as booking online tickets, searching for different information, using online dictionaries, etc.
At various points in time and context, the Semantic Web has been referred to as the Linked Data Web, the Web of Data, Web 3.0, the Enterprise Information Web, and the Giant Global Graph.
The Semantic Web is a process that allows machines to quickly understand and react to complicated human requests subject to their meaning. This kind of understanding mandates that the appropriate information sources are meaningfully structured, which is problematic.
Will the Two Concepts Ever Mesh Together?
Some people say it’s possible. We’re going to have to wait and see on that question. But with Tim Berners-Lee’s position that he doesn’t like (or believe in) blockchain, it may be some time before they play nice together. They both have the same goal endpoint, but each has its way of getting there.
Are There Disadvantages to Either Concept?
Web 3.0
Web 3.0, being still a concept and not yet widely available, has no specific disadvantages. However, it could be limited by the same disadvantages that web3 has, as well as additional ones such as:
· Lack of mature technology: Web 3.0 is still developing, and the technology is not yet mature enough to be widely adopted and implemented.
· Complexity: Web 3.0 may be even more complex than web3, requiring even more knowledge of advanced technologies such as AI and machine learning.
· Privacy and security: Web 3.0 may also raise concerns over privacy and security, as it collects and uses more data about users and their behavior.
Web3
Comparatively, Web3 has several disadvantages, such as:
· Complexity: Building and using web3 applications can be complex, requiring a certain level of technical knowledge and understanding of decentralized technologies such as blockchain.
· Scalability: Some web3 applications, such as decentralized exchanges, can have scalability issues, meaning they may not be able to handle a large number of users or transactions at the same time.
· Lack of standardization: There is currently a lack of standardization among web3 technologies, making it difficult for different systems and platforms to communicate and interact.
· Limited adoption: Currently, web3 is not as widely adopted as the current web (Web2), which means that a smaller number of users and developers are working on web3 applications.
What Are the Advantages of Each?
Web 3.0
As for web 3.0, it's expected to build upon the advantages of web3 and to bring new features such as:
· Intelligence: Web 3.0 is expected to be more intelligent than the current web, using technologies like AI and machine learning to understand and respond to user needs and preferences.
· Semantic: Web 3.0 would be more semantic, meaning that the web could understand the meaning of data and how it relates to other data.
· Personalization: Web 3.0 could personalize users' experiences based on their preferences, history, and context.
· Interoperability: Web 3.0 would allow for greater interoperability between different systems and platforms, which enables the creation of new, more robust applications.
· Scalability: Web 3.0 would be more scalable than web3, meaning it would be able to handle more users, more data, and more complexity.
Please note that web 3.0 is still a concept, and experts are still debating its definition and features.
Web3
Web3 has several advantages over the current web (Web2), such as:
· Decentralization: Web3 is based on decentralized technologies such as blockchain, which allows for a more distributed and resilient system that is not controlled by any single entity.
· Security: Web3 applications use cryptographic techniques to ensure the safety and integrity of data, making them less vulnerable to hacking and tampering.
· Transparency: Web3 applications are open, allowing for greater accountability and trust among users.
· Interoperability: Web3 allows for greater interoperability between different systems and platforms, which enables the creation of new, more robust applications.
Can You Use One Without the other?
Yes, it is possible to use web3 without web 3.0, and vice versa.
Web 3.0 is a more advanced and intelligent web version still in development. It builds upon the advantages of web3, but it is not yet widely available and is still a topic of research and debate among experts.
Web3, on the other hand, is a set of technologies and concepts currently being used to build decentralized applications (dApps) and services. These applications and services can be made and used without needing web 3.0.
Therefore, it is possible to use web3 without web 3.0; for example, you can use web3 to build decentralized applications and services, and you can use web 2.0 to access and interact with them. However, it is also possible to use web 3.0 technologies to enhance and improve the functionality of web3 applications.
In short, it's possible to use web3 without web 3.0, but web 3.0 would be an upgrade that would enhance web3 features.
Why Do People Use Them Synonymously?
There is some confusion when people refer to web3 and web 3.0 because the terms are often used interchangeably, and experts are still debating the definitions and features of the two.
Due to the lack of clear definitions and the diversity of the ideas and projects surrounding web 3.0, it can be used interchangeably with web3, which can cause confusion.
In short, people may use web3 and web 3.0 interchangeably because the two terms refer to different aspects of the same overall concept: the next stage of the development of the World Wide Web, which is expected to be more decentralized, intelligent, and semantic than the current web.
In conclusion, this article has provided a comprehensive overview of the definitions, history, differences, disadvantages, advantages, the possibility of their meshing into one entity, usability, and name confusion in comparing web3 and web 3.0.
By the end of this article, you should clearly understand what these terms mean, how they differ, and how they are related. Additionally, you should be aware of the potential challenges and benefits and the possibility of them merging into a single entity in the future.
If you have any further questions or want more information on this topic, contact the author at borlokva@gmail.com.