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The Web innovations that Internet users really crave

• Posted by Brian
• Posted on November 21st, 2006
• View Comments

You will not find Web standards, AJAX, blogging, Web 2.0, photo sharing, browsers, social networking, or even social bookmarking on this list. Even though some of those concepts have garnered significant and due attention, there is still a polarization among the early adopters, techies, and the vast majority of Internet users. That gap is shrinking as the next generation pushes connectedness to the forefront, yet, the Web innovations that we often drool over as Web site creators, are still a far cry from what the majority craves.

I put this list together as someone in the field of Internet development who feels we have climbed too far into the rabbit hole, and are now incapable of separating fantasy from reality. As discussion of the semantic Web gains steam, and the W3C hashes out the next “version” of HTML, I wonder if the real innovators will even stick around. I read posts from detractors, who want to eliminate the beautification of the Web in favor of a much more sterile environment, and I grow bored. There appears to be too much agenda clouding our judgment, and the sweeping notion that we need more uniformity and a level playing field on the Internet puts me to sleep.

I remember watching a video from a SXSW conference, where a woman had the gall to question the accessibility of Google Maps. If Google had considered accessibility, there would be no Google Maps. It is the same sort of fanaticism associated with your choice of browser, or whether you prefer Digg or Reddit, that leads me to believe we are forgetting what people really want to see on the Web. Not only what they want to see, but what makes their lives easier. That is only going to happen if we stop choosing sides, and start pushing real innovation. Maybe some of the following will serve as a reminder.

Encyclopedic Knowledge

The first time I ever quoted the Internet as a source was for a college journalism paper. If it were not for the MLA handbook helping me format the citation, I would have felt dirty doing it. Since when is the Internet a reliable source of information? That attitude has changed drastically over the last few years, and Wikipedia is primarily the reason. People want accurate information, and they want it now, which means it has to be easy to find. Sites like WebMD that house this sort of encyclopedic knowledge are well-respected, and the ease of which monolithic amounts of information is now attainable, while not sexy, is definitely an innovation.

Peer Reviews and Ratings

Amazon.com made it popular, but sites like Metacritic.com keep it going strong. Who cares what IGN, or Ebert & Roeper think — people want to know what their friends, neighbors and coworkers have to say. The hive mind, or group think, or the wisdom of crowds, or whatever you want to call it, is forcing the entertainment industry to start pumping out some quality work. Hollywood is slow to follow, but they would do well to pay attention to this growing phenomenon. Peer reviews and ratings have an impact on what we buy, watch and listen to every day. Web sites that provide a well-organized feedback forum are shaping our decisions, and are an extremely useful innovation.

Search Smarts & Simplicity

A simple search makes not a smart search. Only a combination of the two can really drive innovation. Google may be credited with running the show, but several Web sites do this well, and users are always appreciative. The did you mean feature that suggests a new search based upon a misspelled keyword, is a simple, yet powerful example of how communication with a non-entity (Web site) should still involve intellect on both ends. Mashups that weave together several technologies like search and mapping, provide a more visually appealing experience. Web sites that offer users the ability to seek out information based upon feelings, colors, and personal preferences, are currently demonstrating an approach to search that is natural, and dare I say — friendly.

Sell It Yourself

Web sites like eBay.com, Amazon.com, and Craigslist.com, are popular amongst the sell-it-yourself crowd for two reasons: the audience of potential buyers is sizable, and the cost to do business is low. (Although, I will admit that Amazon.com is playing second fiddle due to increasing seller’s fees.) The ability to own the entire transaction with such control, is like having a supply-chain at you fingertips. It is ironic that bartering, an old world idea, is making a comeback in a virtual new world. We have a tendency to dismiss these concepts as tired, but reinventing person-to-person commerce is likely to grow more popular and innovative. Just ask anyone who buys real estate in Second Life.

Mapping and Satellite Imagery

If you have ever installed Microsoft Virtual Earth, then you know that mapping and satellite imagery is being taken to a whole new level. Companies are driving around city streets 24/7 photographing storefronts for street level mapping software. In a few more years it will be conceivable to own sophisticated 3D Web applications that help you navigate cities large and small. The fascination with this level of detail has numerous day-to-day applications, but I am sure the heightened sense of voyeurism is what keeps us watching the streets for something out of the ordinary. Whatever the reason, this innovation is definitely interesting.

Search Inside a Book

Amazon.com may have coined the term, but Bartleby.com has been printing entire books in HTML since 1999, and allowing users to search through them. This gets to the heart of the Web — information exchange. What better information is there to exchange then mounds of reference material and classical literature? Although modern works will probably never be fully available until authors have received a fair share, searching inside any book for free is liberating. Without the Web, scanning books to gather research material was a tedious affair, and meant hours at the library. Google Books has tried to capitalize on the trend, but managed instead to stir up controversy. However, this innovative endeavor is recognized by millions of readers worldwide as commendable.

Tags: Technology, technology advancements, web