Tired of the same old tech? Discover why one engineer made the jump from Web2 to Web3 and unlock a new career path. #Web2 #Web3 #Blockchain
Explanation in video
Hey everyone, John here! Welcome back to the blog where we try to make sense of all this exciting new digital stuff. Today, we’re diving into something I see a lot of people talking about: moving from “Web2” to “Web3.” It sounds a bit like upgrading your internet, doesn’t it? Well, it’s a bit more than that!
I recently came across a story from a developer, Yurii Kovalchuk, who made this exact jump from the familiar world of Web2 into what he calls the “deep, chaotic, and exhilarating space of blockchain development.” Sounds like quite the adventure, right, Lila?
Lila: It does, John! But honestly, “Web2,” “Web3″… it all sounds a bit like secret code words. What exactly are we talking about?
John: That’s a perfect question, Lila, and one I bet many of our readers have too! Don’t worry, these terms might sound a bit strange at first, but we’re going to break them down in plain English. Let’s start with what most of us are already familiar with.
First Things First: What’s This “Web2” We Keep Hearing About?
Okay, so to understand Web3, we first need to quickly touch on what most of us use every single day: Web2. Think about the internet you use right now. You visit websites like Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Google, Amazon, and probably even the platform you’re reading this on!
These are all fantastic examples of Web2. In a nutshell, Web2 is the version of the internet largely dominated by companies that provide services, often in exchange for your data or attention. You get to use their cool platforms, usually for free, and they might use information about what you do, what you like, and who you connect with to show you advertisements or improve their offerings.
Lila: So, Web2 is basically the internet as most of us know it? Where big companies often run the show, we’re the users, and sometimes our data is part of the deal?
John: You’ve got it, Lila! A key characteristic here is that these services are often centralized. This means one main company usually owns and controls the platform and all the data on it. Think of it like a giant digital library where the head librarian (the company) owns all the books (the data and the platform) and decides all the rules for who can access them and how.
Enter Web3: The Next Evolution of the Internet?
Now, let’s talk about Web3. If Web2 is the internet of big companies and centralized control, Web3 aims to be different. It’s an idea for a new version of the internet built on concepts like decentralization, blockchain technology, and the goal of giving users more control and ownership over their digital lives.
Imagine instead of one head librarian controlling everything in our library analogy, the library is run more like a co-op, by all the library users together. The rules could be transparent and agreed upon by the community, and everyone might have more of a say. That’s kind of the spirit behind Web3.
Lila: Okay, “decentralization” and “blockchain technology” – those are two big words, John! Can you break them down for us in a super simple way?
John: Absolutely! Let’s tackle them one by one:
- Decentralization: This is a really core idea in Web3. Instead of one single company, computer server, or entity holding all the information or power, it’s spread out across many computers in a network. Think of it like this: in Web2, your photos on a social media site are stored on that company’s computers. If that company decides to shut down or change its rules drastically, your access to those photos might be affected. In a more decentralized system, that information, or the platform itself, could be supported by many computers, so it’s not reliant on a single point of failure or control. It’s like having important information copied and stored in many different safe places, not just in one basket.
- Blockchain Technology: This is the clever technology that often powers Web3 applications and virtual currencies. Imagine a special kind of digital notebook that’s shared among many computers. Once something is written in this notebook (a “block” of information), it’s extremely difficult to change or erase it. Every new page (or “block”) is securely linked to the previous one with strong digital locks (cryptography), creating a “chain.” Because many computers in the network have a copy and verify these entries, it’s very transparent and secure. Virtual currencies, like Bitcoin or Ethereum, are famous examples of things built using blockchain.
So, Web3 is about building an internet where you, the user, might have more direct ownership of your data, your digital items (like unique digital art or special items in a game), and even a say in how the platforms you use are run. It’s still very new and constantly changing, which is likely why Yurii, the developer we mentioned earlier, found it “deep, chaotic, and exhilarating.”
Why Leave the Familiar for the “Chaotic”? The Developer’s Leap
Yurii Kovalchuk isn’t alone in his journey. Many developers, creators, and entrepreneurs are exploring or moving from established Web2 roles to work in the Web3 space. But why make such a big change, leaving the familiar for something that can seem so new and uncertain? From what people like Yurii express, it often boils down to a few exciting reasons:
- The Thrill of Building the Future: For many tech-savvy individuals, Web3 feels like the internet did in its very early days – a brand new frontier. There’s so much to build, discover, and invent. For a developer, it’s a chance to work on truly cutting-edge problems and create things that haven’t been done before. Imagine being an engineer when the very first automobiles were being designed – there’s a similar buzz of innovation!
- A Chance for a More “User-Centric” Internet: Many people involved in Web3 believe it offers an opportunity to build a more equitable and user-focused internet. Instead of just a few large companies controlling vast swathes of the online world, Web3 tools could enable more community-owned and operated platforms, where users have more say and could even share in the value they help create.
- Direct Connections and New Economies: In Web3, creators (like artists, musicians, writers, or game developers) can sometimes connect more directly with their audiences. They might be able to offer their work and get support without as many intermediaries taking a large cut. Think about artists selling unique digital art directly to fans as NFTs.
- Solving New and Complex Challenges: Developers are often problem-solvers at heart. Web3 presents a host of new technical and conceptual challenges related to security, scalability (making systems work for lots of people), and user experience. Tackling these challenges is a big draw.
Lila: NFTs! I’ve heard about those. They’re like digital certificates for unique items, right? But how does that connect to a developer like Yurii wanting to switch from Web2?
John: That’s a great connection to make, Lila! NFTs (which stands for Non-Fungible Tokens) are a perfect example of what’s possible with Web3 technology. An NFT is essentially a unique, verifiable digital token that represents ownership of a specific item (be it digital art, a piece of music, an in-game asset, or even a membership). This ownership is recorded on a blockchain. For a developer, the excitement isn’t just about the NFTs themselves, but about building the entire ecosystem around them: the marketplaces where they can be traded, the smart contracts (self-executing code on the blockchain) that govern their behavior, or the games and virtual worlds where they can be used. It’s about building the foundational plumbing for this new layer of digital ownership and interaction.
So, What Could Web3 Mean for You and Me as Regular Internet Users?
Okay, so we know developers and tech enthusiasts might be excited, but what about the rest of us? Why should everyday internet users care if the internet is Web2 or Web3? What could it actually change for us?
Well, if the ideas behind Web3 continue to develop, it could lead to some interesting changes in our online experiences:
- Potentially More Control Over Your Personal Data: Imagine having more say over your online identity and personal information. Instead of it being primarily held and managed by the platforms you use, Web3 is exploring ways for you to have more direct control and decide more granularly who gets to use your data and how.
- New Ways to Earn, Participate, and Own: Some Web3 platforms are designed with built-in ways for users to earn rewards (often in the form of virtual currency or tokens) for their participation, contributions, or for creating content. We see this in some “play-to-earn” games, for example, or platforms where users get a share of the platform’s success.
- A Shift in Power Dynamics: If Web3 gains traction, we might see more alternatives to the giant tech platforms that dominate Web2. These alternatives could be governed more by their communities of users, leading to different kinds of online spaces.
- True Ownership of Digital Goods: We talked about NFTs. This could mean truly owning your in-game items and being able to trade or sell them across different games or platforms (something generally not possible now), or verifiably owning a piece of digital art or a collectible.
Lila: That all sounds pretty interesting, John, especially the part about having more control over my data and truly owning my digital stuff. But it also sounds… well, a bit complicated. Is Web3 easy to use for someone like me right now?
John: That’s a very important and honest question, Lila. You’ve hit on one of the biggest challenges. Right now, interacting with Web3 can be a bit more complex than using the Web2 services we’re all used to. It often involves new tools like digital wallets (which are special software programs to hold your virtual currency and digital assets) and getting your head around some new concepts. It’s generally not as user-friendly or intuitive as Web2… at least, not yet. Making Web3 easy and accessible for everyone is one of the main things developers in this space are working hard to improve.
Lila: So a “digital wallet” is kind of like my physical wallet, but it lives on my computer or phone and holds my online money and digital collectibles?
John: Exactly! That’s a perfect way to think about it. Instead of holding physical cash and credit cards, a digital wallet holds your virtual currencies (like Bitcoin, Ethereum, or others) and your NFTs. You control access to your wallet with special secret codes (often called “private keys” or a “seed phrase”), so it’s incredibly important to keep those codes extremely safe and secure, as they are the key to your digital assets!
It’s Not All Smooth Sailing: The Bumps on the Web3 Road
While the vision for Web3 is exciting and full of potential, it’s crucial to remember that it’s still very much under construction. Yurii, our developer, called it “chaotic” for good reason! There are definitely significant challenges and hurdles to overcome:
- Complexity for Users: As we just discussed, the learning curve can be steep for newcomers. Getting started often requires understanding new terminology and tools.
- Scalability Issues: Some blockchain networks, which are the backbone of many Web3 applications, can sometimes get slow and expensive to use, especially when lots of people are trying to use them at the same time. Think of a popular highway getting completely jammed during rush hour. Developers are actively working on solutions, sometimes called Layer 2 solutions, to help with this.
- Regulatory Uncertainty: Governments and regulatory bodies around the world are still figuring out how to approach and regulate virtual currencies, NFTs, and other aspects of Web3. This ongoing uncertainty can make things complex for builders and users alike.
- Security Risks and Scams: Because Web3 involves new technology and valuable digital assets, it has unfortunately attracted scammers and bad actors. Users need to be very cautious and educate themselves about how to stay safe.
- User Experience (UX): Making Web3 applications as smooth, intuitive, and enjoyable to use as the best Web2 apps is a major ongoing challenge. The current user experience often isn’t as polished.
Lila: “Layer 2 solutions”? That sounds like another one of those techy terms, John! Can you simplify that one for me too?
John: You bet! Let’s stick with our highway analogy. Imagine the main blockchain (we can call it “Layer 1”) is that busy, sometimes jammed highway. A Layer 2 solution is like building a special, super-fast express lane or a parallel service road alongside the main highway. It can take some of the traffic (transactions) off the main Layer 1, process them much faster and often more cheaply, and then periodically report a summary of these activities back to the main Layer 1 blockchain to ensure everything is secure and recorded. It’s a way to help the main blockchain handle a much larger volume of activity without getting bogged down.
So, for developers like Yurii and many others in the Web3 space, these challenges aren’t just roadblocks; they are the very problems they are excited to solve to help bring the full potential of Web3 to life for everyone.
Our Thoughts on This Web2 to Web3 Shift
John: For me, watching this exploration and movement from Web2 towards Web3, as described by people like Yurii, is genuinely fascinating. It has echoes of the early, somewhat chaotic, but incredibly innovative days of the public internet. There’s a lot of excitement, and yes, sometimes hype, but underneath it all, there seems to be a real drive from many to build something potentially better, more open, and more empowering for users. It’s definitely a space to keep an eye on, even if you’re just observing from the sidelines for now.
Lila: From my perspective as someone still learning all this, it does feel a bit overwhelming at times, but also really intriguing! The idea of having more genuine control over my online presence and digital belongings, and perhaps new ways to support and interact with creators I admire, is very appealing. I’m definitely going to be watching to see how Web3 becomes easier and safer for everyday folks like me to use and benefit from.
So, Is a Web3 Future on Your Horizon?
The shift from Web2 towards Web3 is a journey, not a sudden flip of a switch, and Web3 itself is still in its early, formative, and sometimes messy stages. It represents a significant potential evolution in how we think about the internet, digital ownership, online communities, and the very structure of applications.
Whether you’re a developer looking for new frontiers to conquer, an artist or creator exploring new avenues for your work, or simply a curious internet user wondering what the future holds, understanding the basic ideas behind Web3 is becoming increasingly relevant. It will certainly be interesting to see how this “deep, chaotic, and exhilarating space,” as Yurii Kovalchuk put it, continues to evolve!
This article is based on the following original source, summarized from the author’s perspective:
Why I left Web2 for Web3 – and why you might, too