Like many in the technology business, I grew up on Release 1.0. I started reading it in 1993 (and started paying for it in 1995). At its best, Release 1.0 served as a great early warning device that alerted readers to new technology and business developments. The new Release 2.0 will continue to let you know what’s coming down the road and what it means — before you’ve heard about it anywhere else.
In the first issue, we look at the Web 2.0 phenomenon from some new angles. Tim O’Reilly places it in the context of previous technology and business disruptions, Nat Torkington argues for a commonsense approach, and Brady Forrest examines how capturing data is at the core of making Web 2.0 businesses work. We also explore the ramifications of continuous iterative development: How does business change when you can have more impact on more people so much more quickly than ever before? Sure there’s plenty of reason to be skeptical about how the term “Web 2.0” has been misused. But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t consider what parts of it are working. Fight past the hype and there are some very solid business ideas.
We’re also introducing several new departments to the newsletter. “The Number” looks at one statistic in business and technology and explores what’s really happening behind that number. “The Canon” celebrates one book, article, website, or whatever else we can find that offers ideas and approaches that are essential to mastering today’s technology business–and tomorrow’s. And we have revived Release 1.0‘s calendar of significant business and technology events.
We’re increasing the frequency of publication, too. No one I know was happy when Release 1.0 bumped down from almost-monthly to a quarterly. We’re increasing the frequency of publication to six times this year and we’ll return to its traditional 11-times-a-year schedule next year.
In this environment, of course, a month is a long time between issues. In the days and weeks to come, we’ll use this space to expand on and update topics we covered in the first issue — and to let you know what we have planned in upcoming issues. Most important, this is the place where readers can weigh in. I’m lucky to be joining O’Reilly’s Radar team, which is filled with smart, opinionated people who hear about Next Big Things before most of us. But they’re not the only ones. While preparing the first issue of Release 2.0, I spoke to more than 100 subscribers and I was repeatedly impressed by the quality of your conversation and the passion behind your ideas. The newsletter’s greatest asset is its readers. We’ll be adding a “Letters” page in the print newsletter and we hope our readers will use this blog as a place to introduce ideas, challenge ours, and work with us to develop a better understanding of what’s before us. In some of the most exciting blogs, the real action isn’t in the posts; it’s in the comments. We will work hard to contribute posts that are worthy of comments from our readers.
As I write in my editor’s note in the premiere issue of Release 2.0, “At its best, Release 1.0 felt like a wise, friendly voice whispering in your ear about what was coming around the bend. We too are hungry to learn what’s coming next and share it with you.” If this is going to work, it’s because Release 2.0 develops into a true two-way conversation. We’re going to try hard to be worth talking to.