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Web 4.0...

The Internet continues to evolve and the nature of content is changing. We're on the brink of Web 3.0 - but what's to follow? This post introduces and examines "Web 4.0".

The Internet continues to evolve and the nature of content is changing. We looked at this closely in a previous blog post, which identifies and describes the eras of the Internet technology and dominant content types. We're on the brink of Web 3.0-but what's to follow?

Web 4.0 may be considered to be the immersive generation in which 3D is combines with Web 3.0, or the Semantic Web, to create virtual worlds such as those currently found in gaming. A key factor in this world will be the digital rights tether which prevents the digital copying (perfect copying) of content. The digital tether is relevant for all forms of content and becomes a major issue for high value (high cost) information such as copyright on movies, images, and more.

With the proliferation of networking and content in all types, it is vital that original content be protected by the owner. A digital rights tether maintains a "video mashup" from source which provides significant digital rights protection similar to the copying of a fax on a fax - the quality degrades significantly from using a "screen scraper" approach.

The biggest impact of the high bandwidth and mobile devices is how it will change the way we communicate. Shown above is a procedure for jet engine repair that has been recorded with a smartphone and posted on the Web instantly. This type of communication replaces the older time-consuming and costly method of writing, editing, producing, distributing, and translating a paper manual. The gain in productivity is enormous and the quality of knowledge transfer is enhanced.