Waiting for the Semantic Web : Some comparative and sociotechnical aspects regarding the evolvement of the World Wide Web

Abstract

The aim of this thesis is to discuss some sociotechnical aspects of the Semantic Web’s somewhat, at least so far, seemingly failure to materialize on a larger scale, by using the methodology of Actor-Network Theory and Information Infrastructure theory, and in the light of other sociotechnical developments within the Web paradigm, which is, rather controversially, coined as Web 2.0.

The kind of silent development work, with its emphasis on standards, done in the Semantic Web paradigm is contrasted by the so-called Web 2.0 revolution and its more fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants attitude towards flexibility and, because of its more socially deterministic character, which has lead to new web-services directed towards a broader scope of users and field of usage which in turn leads to more people utlizing web services.