Welcome to the Year of the Online Video... or at least, more of that, please.

As we reflect upon all that shook down in our web 2.0 world in 2006 - browsers, apps, a steep rise and recognition in video-sharing, and all things wonderful open source - how will all of this relative newness evolve and transpire in the upcoming year?

I have to go back to the crew of Read Write Web. Their analysis and projections seem to have the most accuracy and consistency of articles sifted through. Plus, I don't think there is any room for too much argument with their take on what's in store.

I am very much addicted to the Read/Write Web, that is to say: it's where I like to surf for all the latest and greatest. And this upcoming week is no exception.

You want reviews of 2006 and all that shook down and what it all means as we launch into 2007? Richard MacManus and his 2.0 crack team of writers always seem to hit all the issues, news, conferences, and sum them up well, with honesty and realism in their writing, reporting and critiquing.

SO - I'll be watching and reading and hopefully reporting back and linking on The Standard, as per the usual, but let's be honest, it's 11 days, yes, ELEVEN days, until the stores close and the 12 Days of Christmas (technically are supposed to, in theory) begin. So while I shop, or rather, make my homemade gifts (oh my family love me for it, really they do) and we all feast over and over again, you can always take a spin through the read/write to catch what you've missed.

There has been a lot of reviews and talk on all sides of the browser coin in the last week with the anticipation of Mozilla's version 2 and Microsoft's IE7. Microsoft finally got it together and unleashed their long-awaited improvement after 5 years of living in a cave, while Firefox's version 2 officially launched this week as well. Some interesting articles written on the topic of these browsers can be found at the links below, just to give you a taste of what's being said out there: reviews, recaps, words from the powers that be. Best thing to do, download and tinker away.