Defining Interactive Design

Interactive design refers to the creation of systems or frameworks that allow for the interactivity of users with a product or space. The term is largely focused on technological areas such as electronic devices, the web and computer software but can range to domains such as architectural design, urban planning and some areas of product design.

Application of interactive design practices largely determine the way in which a certain device is presented, used and contributed to. It can also be a leading factor in the success rate of that device. Most of all however, interactive design principles center around the user in an attempt to reduce the learning curve and increase usability and the productivity and satisfaction of the user.

Examples of Web 2.0

The following all exemplify the capabilities of web 2.0:

• Blogs - A direct example of user developed content and collaboration by peers through comments and feedback.
  Links - http://www.blogger.com/, http://blog.com.
• Web Feeds - A popular way of subscribing to and accessing regularly updated content such as news, information, etc.
  Links - http://www.news.com.au/rss, http://www.popsci.com.au/rss-feeds.
• Maps - An interactive and scalable map allowing users to do things such as add location photos, business locations and notes.
  Links - http://maps.google.com.au/, http://www.housingmaps.com/.
• Social Networking - Virtual communication hubs allowing users to contact and interact with friends and family in a forum-like style.
  Links - http://www.facebook.com, http://www.myspace.com.
• Instant Messaging - Websites allowing users to simultaneously send and receive messages between each other.
  Links - http://webmessenger.msn.com/, http://www.meebo.com/.
• Online Applications - Online programs that replace those run on a computer operating system.
  Links - http://docs.google.com, http://www.picnik.com/.
  

Defining Web 2.0

Web 2.0 is a term used to describe a new movement in website design that ultimately allows for unprecedented creative and collaborative involvement of its users. This shift in development strategy has revolutionised traditional applications of the world wide web, enabling it as a platform that focuses upon user participation rather than observation. Web 2.0 is the means of allowing data to become independent of the original producer (often referred to as 'open source').

Websites characteristic of web 2.0 often contain all or most of the following features:

Authoring - An interactive quality allowing the author or other users to add to and edit content

Tags - Organisation of information into similar classes

Search - Ability to find information within the platform and from other platforms

Links - Direction toward other pages of significant importance

Since its realisation in 2004, web 2.0 has by far surpassed the functional and aesthetic design of its predecessor web 1.0 and now largely allows for inter-connectivity and interactivity within web based content.