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HomeExplainedWeb1 Vs. Web2 Vs. Web3: Detailed Comparison for Dummies

Web1 Vs. Web2 Vs. Web3: Detailed Comparison for Dummies

What is a Web?

New generations spend most of their time surfing the Internet. As time passes, the Internet is constantly improving by expanding the versions of “WEB .”Each web version is better than the last. But for most non-tech savvy people, web terminology is unknown.

Let me clear this for you; each website belongs to a site that aims to publish its content that may or may not be seen by the public. This World Wide Web (WWW) is known as the Web that works as an information system and allows you to access documents and other web resources over the Internet.

How does the Web work?

The Web offers a variety of servers that let you access documents and downloadable media by web browsers such as Chrome, Internet Explorer, Firefox, etc. Each server and resource on the World Wide Web are identified or located via uniform resource locators known as URLs in simple terms.

Moreover, the original document type is a web page formatted in HTML. HTML supports plain text, images, embedded video, audio content, and scripts that attract users. These HTML also supports embedded URL hyperlinks and offer users immediate access to other web resources.

Web surfing is the common practice in which we search those hyperlinks across multiple websites. The information on the Web is transferred via HTTP across the Internet. There are three types of Web, which are as follows:

  • Web 1.0 
  • Web 2.0 
  • Web 3.0

But you might be confused regarding the functions and working of these 3 Web types. Moreover, most tech newbies can’t differentiate between Web1 vs. Web2 vs. Web3.

So, for your convenience, in this informative article, I’ve covered a brief introduction regarding these three web types working, functionality, key features, and demerits. So, if you want to know about the advantages of these Web types, then let’s continue to read this article:

Web 1: First read-only Web version

The image was taken from beincrypto.com by Eduard Banulescu

It was the first stage of the World Wide Web evolution that was introduced in the year 1990 and was used till 2000 by millions of users. 

Characteristics of Web1

  1. Offers only static pages connected via a hyperlink
  2. Provides content via the server’s file system.
  3. Web pages are built by using server sides or a standard gateway interface.
  4. Web page elements are positioned and aligned via HTML 3.2 Frames and Tables.
  5. E-mail is used to send things in HTML form.
  6. Web1 offers GIF buttons and graphics for users.
  7. It only allows users to browse content on search engines.
  8. Web1 offers Ofoto, an online digital photography website that allows its users to store, share, view, and print digital pictures.
  9. A content delivery network (CDN) allows you to showcase the information on the websites. 
  10. Web1 can be used as a personal website and costs you per page viewed.

Examples of Web1 applications

This first stage Web version only supports a few applications and technologies, which are:

  1. Portals of Content and Enterprise 
  2. Search Engines like AltaVista and Yahoo!
  3. E-mail applications like Yahoo! and Hotmail
  4. File sharing P2P software like Napster and BitTorrent
  5. Supports slow websites like MySpace or LiveJournal that allow regular users to produce content. 

Weakness of Web1

Web1 is costly and difficult for content creation, discovery, and monetization.

Web2: A read-write Social Web

The image was taken from beincrypto.com by Eduard Banulescu

In 2000, Web 2.0 was introduced, which became popular instantly because of its user-generated content, wide range of usability features, and interoperability for end users. It is also known as the participative social Web, an enhanced version of Web1. 

Main features of Web2

  1. Allow interaction and collaboration of websites with each other. 
  2. Allow users to create content in a virtual community. 
  3. Web 2 highlights offer enhanced compatibility with other systems and devices. 
  4. It is responsible for growing communities, collaborations, dialogue, and social media.
  5. It allows users to sort free information for retrieving and classifying data collectively.
  6. It allows users to interact with the Internet via sources like podcasting, social media, tagging, blogging, online gaming, posting or reviewing comments, curating with RSS, and web content evaluation.
  7. Web 2 isn’t limited to specific communities.
  8. Offers Tiktok, Twitter, and YouTube mobile apps that dominate the online landscape. 
  9. Allow you to access the Internet and social network via Android and iPhone-powered mobile devices. 

Technologies and Web browsers

Web 2.0 is growing its users day by day by generating improved content. Moreover, it offers better technologies and web browsers than Web 1, which includes:

  1. AJAX frameworks
  2. JavaScript frameworks 
  3. Adobe Flex software
  4. Enterprise portals like Microsoft.NET Framework 
  5. Instant messaging and video streaming software like Google Meet, Skype, etc.

Demerits of Web2

  1. Too much information on a variety of websites may confuse the readers.
  2. Bundles of information posted on the Internet daily reduce the quality of the content and make it unreliable.
  3. Freedom of posting views and comments offers opportunities to competitors to post negative comments about their rival companies.
  4. Diversity on social sites allows people to create fake ids.
  5. Hacking is becoming common.

Web 3: Third stage Buzzword Web

The image was taken from beincrypto.com by Eduard Banulescu

Web 3.0 is the upcoming and the latest web version that promises more robust, safer decentralized Internet services. This Web 3 allows you to control and monetize your online presence, which isn’t possible on other Web versions. It allows trillions of people to “read/write/own” the Internet and works like the blockchain.

Main features of Web3

  1. In this semantic Web, the web technology evolves into a tool that allows users to create, share, and connect content by search and analysis. This Web version works on “word-based” instead of numbers and keywords.
  2. It integrates Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning technologies combined with Natural Language Processing (NLP), making Web 3.0 more innovative and responsive to user needs than other versions.
  3. It also integrates Internet of Things technology that allows you to connect multiple devices and applications. 
  4. Web 3 allows users to interact publicly or privately without any risks freely.
  5. This Web version uses 3D graphics that enhance your online computer gaming experience, virtual tours, and e-commerce view.
  6. It allows users to participate without taking permission from a governing body. 
  7. This Web version allows its users to own NFTs, Ethereum, Bitcoin, and other blockchain games. 
  8. The financial system of this web version is decentralized and offers its users peer-to-peer digital financial transactions, smart contracts, and cryptocurrency; without any centralized authority. Thus, it makes the user a content owner instead of a content user.
  9. Web 3.0 allows internet users to access information hosted on third-party companies’ servers. 

Applications offered by Web3

  1. Decentralized apps that use crypto, DeFi projects, non-fungible tokens, DAOs, etc.
  2. NFT marketplaces include OpenSea, SuperRare, Raible, play-to-earn games, etc.
  3. Crypto-based social media platforms such as Sweatcoin and much more!

Weakness of Web3

  1. This Web3 is a bit complicated to understand for beginners.
  2. The decentralized apps may create difficulties monitoring and regulating Web3 and increase cybercrimes.
  3. Existing businesses and websites need to upgrade their digital offerings according to Web3-based websites and applications, so they don’t lose their market importance.
  4. Advance-level devices are needed to handle this Web3 version; it might be pricier.

Wrap Up!

After reading this informative article, I hope you’ve got enough information regarding these three web types that allow you to differentiate between them. However, Web 3.0 isn’t fully implemented on the Internet yet. But as the technology sector is spreading quickly, it might be possible that the Web 3.0 era is approaching.

I’ve tried elaborating on the critical differences between Web1, Web2, and Web3. If you’ve any confusion or queries, let us know in the comment section below. 

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HA Staff
HA Staffhttps://thehabytes.com/
HA Staff is a team of writers that work together, researching new products everyday, buyer's guides, fact-checked, and daily life problem solving toturials.

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