Introduction
I’ve been wanting to find a way to help bring my friends and family members into Web 3.0 with me. There is a lot to this new iteration of the internet, and most of my friends and family are surface-level users of very user-optimized Web 2.0 tech. Web 3.0 is currently in the “we’re early” phase, a phrase often heard in the cryptocurrency community, particularly on Crypto Twitter (CT).
Web 1.0
Web 1.0, the first generation of the internet, was characterized by static content published as HTML files, and sometimes CSS if you were lucky. Users could view content if they knew where to find it, but the social aspects of the internet were limited and often required technical know-how.
Web 2.0
Web 2.0 introduced a more dynamic and interconnected online experience. Websites like Google, Facebook, Twitter, and Reddit became social hubs for daily internet users. The average individual gained the ability to publish content, but ownership of that content often belonged to the website or server owner, as detailed in their terms of service.
Web 3.0
In Web 3.0, the average individual gains the ability to own what they and others have published. This iteration of the internet is still in its early stages, with some clunky user experiences and technology. As the space matures, best practices and educational resources are becoming more accessible.
Blockchain and Distributed File Storage
The core of Web 3.0 lies in distributed file storage and blockchain technology, which enables digital ownership rights to be spread across the planet. Examples of distributed file storage networks include IPFS (InterPlanetary File Storage) and Arweave. These networks allow users to store and access digital content without relying on centralized server farms.
Smart Contracts and Ethereum
Ethereum, a smart contract-focused blockchain founded by Vitalik Buterin in 2015, allows users to prove ownership and control of digital items. Ethereum emerged from the desire to give users more control over digital objects they earned or purchased, and no administrator should have the power to take them away.
Ownership and Control in Web 3.0
In Web 3.0, users have more control over their digital items, such as domain names and content, which are stored on distributed systems. Wallets, or pieces of software that securely store private keys, enable users to control these digital items. Ethereum wallets, for instance, act as a keycard to access and transfer digital assets.
Conclusion
Web 3.0 represents a new era of internet usage, providing users with more control and ownership over their digital content. As this technology continues to evolve, it has the potential to revolutionize the way we interact with and experience the digital world. Despite the challenges and learning curve, Web 3.0 offers a promising glimpse into a more decentralized, user-centric internet.