They're about information interconnectivity, in a sense. The web is continuing to evolve, and BP remains committed to setting trends within the Buckeye fan community, rather than following them. If you're not already familiar with Digg (as an example) you'll become more so in the near future as it continues to spread across the net.
The best bet is to just offer this Wiki link, which in of itself is representative of the direction we're going;
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Web_2
If we accept the "Web1" and "Web2" concept, we can say that Web1 was a group of distinct islands. Each with its own communities, none really aware of the other, although some of the members from one might also travel to another, etc. Web2 sees those communities connected to the point that relevant conversations happening on one island, another interested island is aware of and can get involved in.
Another difference is in content. Web1 sees it offered by individuals or small groups. Web2 sees it done by the whole community who is interested enough to be involved.
I'm drastically over-simplifying here, and in the process, may well be painting a bad portrait.
In our terms, limited to the scope of the specific links you're talking about -- if you see something here that you think is exceptional, that other people would like. Digg it. Or use one of the other ones. Right now, people on other sites are doing the same thing. In the process, they're discovering all the Diggs that others from around the web have liked, and in turn, are indicating whether they like those or not as well.
Take one of our game previews. We know they're exceptional. Hell, I don't mind saying that there are none better produced, commercially or not. We enjoy those. There are people out there who would as well, but have no idea that they exist.
Web2 (and understand that's just a name for the sake of this conversation) has the info that YOU are interested come to you. Finding people interested in the same things as you, and being able to interact with them. To really give people a personal presence on the web.
Some of the things we do will work, some won't. As early adopters of different ideas, we'll see some flop, and some take off. Take Zoints as an example. Most here have heard of Facebook and MySpace, both are well-established. Zoints is a promising "next generation" of those concept, and one that has pretty serious people behind it. But think about BP for a moment, and think about the relevance of social networking sites against a forum like this. And other forums like this. Then forums loosely related. Then forums distantly related. Then forums not related at all.
Some here may be users on BP, and users at MaddenMania, or OperationSports, or on some pro team's forum, or on some specific political site, etc. All different islands in Web1. In Web2, *you* connect them together by your interests, and discover others who are like-minded. The things you like are shared with others; everything is connected, without literally being connected.
Some people here on BP have the most recent posts built right into their browser. With a click or two, they can see what's being talked about without leaving the site they're on. Some have it right up on their desktops, people running Windows Vista can and do. Those RSS feeds, that's all part of it.
So, to try and encapsulate -- it's about you defining the parameters of what you want to see and how you want to see it, it's about the info you care about finding its way to you, even if you didn't know it or its source existed, it's about social networking on one level or another, about you seeing something wrong in an article somewhere and having a vehicle to fix or update it. It's a lot more, really. Think of it as Tivo for the internet. The more you define what you like, the more of that and things like that you're exposed to, and more people who think the same. Or think of it as an expanding consciousness, although then we get into silly descriptives that appear to go beyond the scope, even if they really don't.
Join Digg.com if you're curious, it's quick and easy. Then click on sports, then check out a few things from the last few days that have a lot of Diggs. Or try StumbleUpon. Or any of the others.
