Web 2.0 leading to information overload

Experts have predicted that Web 2.0 will lead to information overload

Experts in user-generated content and Web 2.0 projects have been expressing fears that the trend will lead to the internet being flooded with useless data.

Speaking at a panel session at the Web 2.0 Summit in San Francisco, the experts said that the plethora of new information being created is a benefit, but also a serious danger as it is confusing users.

"Moore's Law is both our friend and our enemy," said James Powell, chief technology officer at financial information firm Thomson Reuters.

"All forms of information are being added at a tremendous rate. It's the job of people in the industry to manage that fire hose of information."

Powell cited the current financial crisis as an example of how this build up of information can be dangerous. The credit crunch occurred at a time when there had never been more information available to the industry, he said, but this excess of data had masked the warning signs.

Powell joked that a colleague had suggested that the purpose of Web 3.0 would be to clean up the vast amount of junk data left by Web 2.0 projects.

Other panellists agreed that one of the major problems of Web 2.0 projects is how to filter out junk information. However, they believe that the end result will be worth it.

"We are moving away from being hunter/gatherers of information," said David Marks, chief technology officer at content management firm Loomia.

"We will see media developing that is a transition from a single presence into information sources that are interactive, but also actionable."