Are we qualified to call ourselves Web 2.0 experts?

At MikeJSolutions, we consider ourselves experts at web architecture and user interface design. We've been doing it for almost 20 years. Over that time span Mike Johnston has produced successful projects for clients such as Turner Broadcasting, Web.com, AT&T, CSX Railways, Hartsfield/Jackson Airport and Lucent Technologies just to highlight a few. In terms of programming and innovation we pioneered "drag n' drop" using asynchronous Javascript [AJAX] via a web browser in 1999 (Soholaunch). This is not new technology, as some would lead you to believe. It has simply been embraced by the standards community and is referred to by a cool new acronym. So, are we experts? If 20 years worth of experience and millions of dollars in revenue generation (with no VC money) doesn't do it then your definition of expert lacks clarity.

Ruby on Rails, while a fantastic time saver and truly unique technology, simply makes it easier for lesser programmers to create complex database interactions more rapidly. The next time you engage a "Ruby" expert ask them to supply you with a documented database design for your application. When building a web application you need to engage a company that understands relational and normalized database design. They should be able to document that design appropriately prior to building the application not simply make it up as they go. This is after all the "meat" of your application.

In reality, Web 2.0 is a philosophy that combines a specific design trend, asynchronous Javascript [AJAX] and programming short-cuts like "Ruby on Rails" to promote itself as something bigger than the Web of 1999. It has been made real to many in the industry because other browser technology has simply caught up to Microsoft (the truth hurts young coders; Microsoft embraced the DOM model in 1997). As most VC's will tell you, it is in fact a great time to be in the internet business but you still need a revenue model. The problem with Web 2.0 as a "group" is that it's simply a new generation of users (young and inexperienced in 90% of the cases) who believe they can create web applications and services without a revenue model to support it.

There will always be rock stars like 37 Signals. I love Jason Fried and what he and his group are doing. The fact of the matter is that a good idea for which people are willing to pay money for will always be successful. That's not Web 2.0- that's business. I think Jason would agree.

God forbid anyone take advice from a Web 1.0 veteran. From the new generation's point of view, all we talk about is ROI and revenue when clearly the answer to building a successful Web 2.0 company is to dismiss all planning and build something for the sake of building it. I suppose "if you build it they will come" is a new Web 2.0 ideal that has never been thought of until now. Holly shiitake why didn't we think of that?

For MikeJSolutions, we look forward to a continued tradition of providing our clients with online success by focusing on building properly architected, usable and elegant web sites that generate a positive return on their investment- regardless of the technology in use. For all others seeking to be the next 37 Signals we sincerely wish you luck and good fortune. Just shut up and do something because talk is cheap.