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In order to understand and appreciate the differences between Web2.0 and Web3.0, it is important to define what they are.
Web2.0 refers to the version of the internet most of us know today - interactive, socially connected, and user-generated content. Web 2.0 makes it possible for user-generated content to be viewed by millions of people around the world virtually in an instant; this unparalleled reach led to an explosion of this type of content in recent years. This version of the web is however dominated by companies that provide services in exchange for your personal data.
Web3.0 refers to decentralized apps that run on the blockchain. These are apps that allow anyone to participate without monetizing their personal data. It represents the next phase of the evolution of the web/Internet and could represent a big paradigm shift as Web 2.0. Web 3.0 is built upon the core concepts of decentralization, openness, and greater user utility.
Defining Features of Web3.0
Decentralization: This is a core tenet of Web 3.0. In Web 2.0, computers use HTTP in the form of unique web addresses to find information, which is stored at a fixed location, generally on a single server. With Web 3.0, because information would be found based on its content, it could be stored in multiple locations simultaneously and hence be decentralized. This would break down the massive databases currently held by Internet giants and would hand greater control to users. With Web 3.0, the data generated by disparate and increasingly powerful computing resources, including mobile phones, desktops, appliances, vehicles, and sensors, will be sold by users through decentralized data networks, ensuring that users retain ownership control.
Trustless and permissionless: In addition to decentralization and being based upon open source software, Web 3.0 will also be trustless. This means the network will allow participants to interact directly with each other without going through a trusted intermediary. By permissionless we mean that anyone can participate without authorization from a governing body. As a result, Web 3.0 applications will run on blockchains or decentralized peer-to-peer networks, or a combination thereof—such decentralized apps are referred to as dApps.
Differences Between Web 2.0 and Web 3.0
- Network Diameter: In Web 2.0, all participants are connected to a central authority; information propagates quickly, as propagation is handled by a central authority with lots of computational resources. In Web 3.0, the furthest participants on the network may potentially be many edges away from each other. Information broadcast from one side of the network may take a long time to reach the other side.
- Latency: Web 2.0 usually have higher performance, higher throughput, fewer total computational resources expended and are generally easier to implement. Web 3.0 usually have lower performance and are more complex to implement.
- Conflict: In the event of conflicting data, resolution is clear and easy: the ultimate source of truth is the central authority. In Web 3.0 a complex protocol is needed for dispute resolution if peers make conflicting claims about the state of data which participants are meant to be synchronized on.
- Single point of failure: Malicious actors may be able to take down the network by targeting the central authority. In Web 3.0, there is no single point of failure. The network can still function even if a large proportion of participants are attacked/taken out.
- Censorship: In Web 3.0, the central authority can censor data, potentially cutting off parts of the network from interacting with the rest of the network. In Web 3.0, Censorship is much harder, as information has many ways to propagate across the network.
Learning about the blockchain and Web 3.0 is fascinating and, for me, is being made possible by Blockgames in collaboration with Nestcoin and Zuri Team. Blockgames is a competitive game with a focus on using blockchain technology to solve real life problems. Visit Blockgames to learn more about the program.