Social Networking

Early Social Networks

BBS (bulletin board system) and Usenet were social networks that were established before the world wide web was. BBS would allow users to connect to the system through their phone lines. People could post messages and share files, it is also a precursor to the modern web forum.

Early Social Networks

Classmates.com which was aimed at connecting old friends and classmates from the past. Members may post photographs, announcements, biographies, read community message boards and be informed of upcoming reunions.

The user is the content provider

• Blog

• Messaging

• Post pictures and Video

• Join discussion groups

Myspace

The most popular social network site, it offers users a blog, the ‘wall’, ability to fully customise their profile pages, add music and video to their page. Many musicians, filmmakers or models use it to promote their work and connect with their audiences and fans.

facebook

• Catching up with myspace in terms of popularity and is already more popular in the UK.

• It is mainly aimed at college and university students.

• It has recently been common for people to contact employers through facebook in order to get jobs

Flickr

Flickr is a photo based online community which allows users to to share photos, organise them using ‘tags’, comment on photos and create postcards

• LinkedIn is a business oriented site allowing members to gain business contacts, search for jobs and find potential clients.

• Your network consists of your own connections, your connections' connections (2nd degree connections), as well as your 2nd degree's connections (called your 3rd degree connections).

The Future

• The future of social network is unclear, it is possible that the current popular ones like myspace and facebook may lose out to ‘the next big thing’

• The introduction of Myspace and Facebook to mobile phones allows for users to access their profiles wherever and whenever.