Software License Use Membership

It might not make sense to the average Joe, but modern technology has taken the Internet to the next level. Many web solution companies have coined the term "Web 2.0." Simply put, Web 2.0 is the era of the WYSIWYG (What you see is what you get). This might seem like a fairly new term, but it was actually established in 1970. It was at this point in time when computer users first had the opportunity to see what their final product would look like, as they were working on it; thus removing the need for complex coding.

Much like movies, and software programs that have sequels or new versions, they are still basically the same idea. So saying that World Wide Web is still in its 2.0 stage would be like calling Star Wars III, Star Wars. However, if someone has never seen Star Wars, then they wouldn't know the difference between one, two, or three. The same thing could be said about Web 2.0 in comparison to Web 16.0.

We are about to embark in a new stage (Web 16.0) where the software industry relies on the power of the Internet. Instead of paying a one time fee for the usage of software, companies will offer their products via the Internet through some kind of membership program. This pay as you go Internet based business model will lead to the reduction of product manufacturing for all software. Many companies will then be forced to upgrade to technology that stores the programs to be transferred online. New ideas will bring new jobs, and older less technology inclined employees will be downsized. It won't happen all once; this process is likely to take many years.

The idea of a SaaS (Software as a Service) has been around for decades, but the Web is being spoon fed to the consumer. Some technology is too expensive or has too many glitches. SaaS will benefit both the consumer and the service provider. Consumers will pay much less for a particular product allowing companies to vastly expand their markets. As many other markets have shown true in the past, the vast competitive market of the Internet will lead to further price drops and eventually make all software affordable for the consumer.

Stone, Julian. (February 11, 2008). Web 2.0? Or Is It More Like Web 16.0? Retrieved March 9, 2008, from Article City Web site: http://www.articlecity.com/cgi-bin/search.cgi