Web 2.0 applications are often useful tools. There are pitfalls however. One pitfall is that you usually need an internet connection, a connection is not always a given when you live here in Saipan. Another pitfall is that these applications are often built by independent small companies or by individuals as a hobby and may not always be supported. You may use an application you love for one school year, and find it broken, or gone the next.
I trust web 2.0 applications that I have tested, seen been used by others with success, or that are well reviewed by other professionals. Also I tend to trust applications that don't ask my for any personal information. Saying your app is free, but then asking for my address or credit card info is questionable and not worthy of my trust.
Free apps are an acceptable solution for many needs. However I feel that for word processing, and other frequently used office applications, a widely used paid application is probably the way to go. With office applications, formatting and the compatibility of files is very important. Also with paid application you get support when having issues, which is not always the case with free applications.
The Power and Peril of the Web
I think the most difficult leap will be essentially rewriting the web. In order to reach the semantic web ideal, all the coding that makes up the existing web needs to be added to if not rewritten. I think the most simple will be getting people on board when that happens. The only concern i have has to do with bias. If the code has to be rewritten and all this information sifted through and tagged. The information is open to interpretation by the people tagging it.
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