Many notable Web 2.0 websites actively encourage participation. Previously, websites typically only allowed users to download content - the pages themselves and any associated multi-media files. Now sites such as flickr and YouTube only exist because people can, and do, upload their own photo, film or other multi-media files to share with others.
Sharing media files is one form of online participation. People can also write into existing web pages that are published online. These pages immediately become available on the internet, but allow authors to make additions and changes (as if using a word processor) and thereby are maintaining full editorial control.
To encourage participation these sites all strive to achieve a user friendly 'dashboard'. That is, an interface that should feel straight forward, intuitive and easy to use.
If you want to understand more of the 'nuts and bolts' of the changes in web design, try watching the film below....