As the calendar year turns, it’s an customary to look back over the past year and issue predictions - some modest, some wildly unlikely - for the coming one. In the interest of not being a New Year’s Scrooge, I’ve scanned the Web for blog-related predictions and aggregated them into clusters here:
Prediction Cluster #1: Blogging will reach a wider audience than ever before. Yes, I know. It’s the biggest “duh!” since the startling prediction that oil prices would skyrocket. But despite the growing understanding and acceptance of blogs, the growth in the number of blogs will level off. The blogosphere will eschew the written word and turn instead to vlogging in a Web-based reenactment of TV killing off books. Finally, people will figure out that there’s no real difference between the blogosphere and the mainstream media.
Prediction Cluster #2: RSS will grow to a new level of prominence. As it stands, RSS is most commonly known as a feature - a subsidiary to the great blogging phenomenon. But look for RSS to step out of the blogosphere’s shadow in 2006 and ascend to the level of e-mail. RSS will also be critical in companies’ efforts to improve communication with customers.
Prediction Cluster #3: Companies will use Web apps. I’m already kind of in love with Basecamp from 37 Signals, so it’s no wonder the pundits think that companies will finally recognize that work can get done on the Internet. Also, use of Skype will skyrocket.
As for my predictions, I’ve never been much of a seer. But just for the fun of it, here’s what I think is in store for 2006:
- All the new options will temporarily hinder rather than enhance people’s ability to effectively communicate on the Web. But as the proverbial wheat is separated from the chaff, look forward to increased collaboration and understanding between companies, clients, and customers.
- E-therapy services will grow in popularity. Being a shrink’s kid and a Psychology major, I can’t say I like this too terribly much. I’ve gained a healthy respect for the face-to-face dialogue that is the very basis of psychotherapy. I just can’t see the same quality of work happening exclusively on the Web. Some things belong in the meat world and this is one of them.
- As the inevitable rise in fuel prices continues and companies begin to rely more heavily on the Internet, telecommuting will finally have its oft-foretold heyday.
- And finally, Macintosh will begin to make the buzz real in the area of interactive houses. Stereo systems, telephone lines and stoves will soon all be interconnected via a G5 processor. It’s a little more farfetched than anything else I’ve come up with - but a girl can dream, right?
This concludes the predictions. We at Blog Business Summit wish you a very Happy New Year!
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