May 30th, 2006
Web 2.0 is the buzz word of the last 6-9 months. The trend supporters state that the Web enters a new stage in its development, the opposition says there is nothing new, it all was invented back in the 90’s.
Just to give our readers more information on Web 2.0 I will turn to the list of its significant features. It is up to every person to make his decision to accept or not this Web 2.0 trend (I guess for most Internet users it does not matter – all we want is to see Web more useful and convenient. And free).
What Web 2.0 website features make it different from a traditional one?
o Services, not packaged software, with cost-effective scalability (When devices and programs are connected to the internet, applications are no longer software artifacts, they are ongoing services. Therefore: Don’t package up new features into monolithic releases, but instead add them on a regular basis as part of the normal user experience. Engage your users as real-time testers, and instrument the service so that you know how people use the new features.)
o Control over unique, hard-to-recreate data sources that get richer as more people use them (Applications are increasingly data-driven. Therefore: For competitive advantage, seek to own a unique, hard-to-recreate source of data.)
o Trusting users as co-developers (The key to competitive advantage in internet applications is the extent to which users add their own data to that which you provide. Therefore: Don’t restrict your “architecture of participation” to software development. Involve your users both implicitly and explicitly in adding value to your application.)
o Harnessing collective intelligence (Intellectual property protection limits re-use and prevents experimentation. Therefore: When benefits come from collective adoption, not private restriction, make sure that barriers to adoption are low. Follow existing standards, and use licenses with as few restrictions as possible. Design for “hackability” and “remixability.”)
o Leveraging the long tail through customer self-service (Small sites make up the bulk of the internet’s content; narrow niches make up the bulk of internet’s possible applications. Therefore: Leverage customer-self service and algorithmic data management to reach out to the entire web, to the edges and not just the center, to the long tail and not just the head.)
o Software above the level of a single device (The PC is no longer the only access device for internet applications, and applications that are limited to a single device are less valuable than those that are connected. Therefore: Design your application from the get-go to integrate services across handheld devices, PCs, and internet servers.)
o Lightweight user interfaces, development models, AND business models (Web 2.0 applications are built of a network of cooperating data services. Therefore: Offer web services interfaces and content syndication, and re-use the data services of others. Support lightweight programming models that allow for loosely-coupled systems.)
Job sites also follow the Internet trends and there are a few out there that fit Web 2.0 guidelines. For instance, Jobazaar.com
How do they differ from hundreds of competitors?
• Lightweight, yet powerful
You don’t need people sending you resumes and CVs, you just need someone mowing your lawn? That’s what we made Jobazaar for.
• It’s free and you’re not going to take any risks
With Jobazaar you can easily offer jobs and manage job postings. Why should you pay for looking for someone?
• Modern and fast interface
Don’t waste time waiting for pages loading or filling out unnecessary form fields. We know you don’t like that.
• Optional features
You decide if you want to enable applications directly via Jobazaar or if users can ask questions to your jobs.
A few more Web 2.0 features of the website include: tagging (tags are keywords that you can add to a job to make it easier to find), RSS feeds, applicant ratings forums. There are three versions of the website: US, UK, German. Obviously, the company targets the global job market.
Summary
Freelance jobs are scarce with Jobazaar.com at this moment, the forums do not enjoy much activity, but the service progresses fast, it gains popularity on the Net and it is worth keeping an eye on. I guess its success or failure depends to a certain degree on the destiny of Web 2.0 trend. If it is widely accepted then Jobazaar.com will make it. And we will get another good source of freelance jobs.
[tag]freelance, telecommute, job sites, outsourcing, web 2.0, work from home, home based job, contractor, career, employment[/tag]
The website we will talk about in this post is 
