2007 - 2008

[Peter (IMC)]

Based on these 2 articles:
28 Things Didn't Happen In 2007 | WebProNews
The WebProNews 2008 Predictions List | WebProNews

If there's anything you can learn from the 28 things that didn't happen in 2007,... it is that people stuck to the simple things they actually need. Things like RSS and SecondLife, nobody needs it to participate online. They may be nice extras, but you pretty much have to be in love with these things in order to keep using them.

The 2008 prediction list was kind of lame. 2008 will become a lame year it seems. But I don't agree with that. I think the internet is going to be an even more interesting place in 2008. Lots of "new" web 2.0 technology is becoming mature enough to be implemented on a larger scale. Though I do believe that the simple website will remain the most powerful thing you can use online. Mostly because a lot of the web 2.0 technology is still to heavy for most computers in use. It simply takes about 3 to 4 years for people to buy a new pc that can handle all the new stuff. Also broadband needs to be used by enough people before it becomes interesting to use things like video in a website.

Some things that will happen for sure in 2008: More people will be using search engines a lot more than they used to. Video will rule the internet even more. And a more speculative prediction: Google will make another big buy. They have to, they´re sitting on so much money, what else can they do with their money?

[Tubby]

Yes. .
peter said
" Also broadband needs to be used by enough people before it becomes interesting to use things like video in a website."

I have never watched a video on line yet. . The number of new site that just take more time than I have to load is increasing. I have a 'broadband' satellite dish on the roof, I have two phone connections as backup.
I just cannot wait five minutes for something to load.. I have two new computers. .

There are a lot of web users like me out there that look at blank screen when they visit many sites.

[ctabuk]

I predict more services like this
http://www.itvlocal.com/misc/ITVLocalRateCard.pdf

TV becoming our PC's - Internet Growth - SEO Growth & SEM

[Peter (IMC)]

I have never watched a video on line yet.

I guess online the rule also applies that the younger you are the more willing you are to check out new stuff.

Here´s an interesting site to check out: YouTube - Broadcast Yourself.
Google Video is even better in my opinion as it searches youtube and lots of other sites.

Just search for what ever you like and you'll find good video's. For example, if you want to learn to play the piano, you'll find lessons and you can just put your laptop next to the piano and start some lessons.

To be honest, I can not imagine you never saw a video online... Even the WPW site has video's of events and interviews with very interesting SEO people. You should be interested in those.

[Tubby]

peter said
"Even the WPW site has video's of events and interviews with very interesting SEO people. You should be interested in those."

Funny isn't it. We do have a whole generation (or two) out there that was brought up with newspapers. I was one of the first TV kids, I lived in London as a child and my father had the first TV in the street, London had TV early. I am not that ancient. .

It is extremely easy and tempting to presume everyone uses the net in the same way we use it ourselves. this is just miles away from a true picture. Despite all the Hype, there are millions who never look at a web screen. millions who would not touch it with a barge pole.

My own site is classified ads, all the hype and buzz tells us that Ebay and some other sites are selling millions. The truth is newspapers specialty and classified adverts magazine bought in the local newsagenty sell more cars by a 10,000 fold.

I do not think I will be making any predictions for 2008, I get feedback from my own users, and most of them are pretty dissatisfied with the whole net experience. But If I did make a prediction about the future. I would say, any one who can make people feel safe and secure, just browsing the net, listing an email, corresponding with others. Will take the whole bundle.

The Internet might be moving fast. . But mostly the biggest percentage of web users is still plodding along at a far slower place.

You were right Peter, it does take 3 of four years for people to upgrade their PC. It might take even longer to upgrade a lifetimes habits.