Certainly in this APOC cohort, we have all become familiar with the NetVibes application and we are becoming familiar with other ones daily. Similar to the NetVibes app, the new blog site Profy.com takes blogging a step further by giving users a more customized experience that is both easy to use and that has robust Web 2.0 features expected of a blog such as RSS feeds and archiving. Profy creates a system that seems to be more community oriented, and allows for greater integration too of different channels including mobile technology and more.
Another example of the surge in activity is epitomized by the Web-based OS called Jooce that let's users create a virtual OS that operates like a desktop --- assuming that the bandwidth is there. Clearly one of the problems with this system is the bandwidth, and the other that has folks like me concerned is security. Whether it's a complete reticence to create a NetVibes 'tab' for my online banking (!) or it's Jooce and the implications of where the data actually resides -- I'm not convinced yet that Web 2.0 apps will be safe and secure -- that is, reasonably safe and secure(!)
Yet another example of some interesting Web 2.0 'mash ups' with the enterprise are Google's recent release of Jotspot - a wiki system that is designed to compete with Microsoft's Sharepoint. While competing with Sharepoint may be a stretch, and while many have criticized Google for the complete muffing of the rollout -- for example, not including the actual 'wiki' piece (!) -- clearly Google has an interesting product for the enterprise .... assuming, of course, that the security piece is handled properly.
Another Web 2.0 application that can integrate with the enterprise is Wufoo which allows users to create online forms that are integrated into a database (!) and can retrieve scheduling reservations, event reservations, and much, much more. The question again: security. How secure is this system really and should an enterprise alert users that they are providing information to an outside service provider instead of the event hosting institution itself?
Finally, there is the ultimate in security questions at stake with Google's announcement of its 'health care database' that allows users to store medical data and records online. If and when this site and initiative becomes a full-fledged operational system is when I become convinced that the major security hurdles have been overcome. To put things into perspective though, I was not concerned about security in the 1990s, considering it to be overhyped. However, as I see the institutional perspective, I am convinced that security is mission critical to the sustainability of any Web 2.0 SNS. I also would say that security is necessary to protect individuals from advertising abuse in a way that is unique to the intensity of the competition for these dollars.
All together, this latest batch of Web 2.0 apps with a clear path toward mobile distribution, both from Yahoo - in terms of sheer apps - and Google - in terms of an 'open' platform (Android), suggests that we are at a critical point in the mashup of Web 2.0, mobile 2.0, and security.
Meanwhile, this week FirstMonday's March edition is very critical of the social implications of Web 2.0 and suggests strongly that it is merely a facade for exploiting labor. This is a must-read for anyone in this business or social construction for new media.
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