Social NetWORKS

This image represents the multitude of people that communicate via social networks like Facebook and how they are all related to one another:

By Alan J Lambert

The phrase ‘social networking’ is a comparatively new addition to the already mystifying dictionary of computer-speak, and it represents one of the very latest internet phenomena. In essence social networking means evolution, a theory which has developed into a practical purpose and its popularity can mainly be attributed to its flexibility and how easily it can be harnessed by its users. Social network sites allow their users to create and submit their own content – whether that’s a simple comment, a collection of photos or an entire homepage of their own.

Social networking relies on the idea that content can be shared with others, either publicly or in private groups and this allows users to keep in touch, search for users of other interests or share information with people in similar situations.
The focus of social networking sites is to use and develop the idea of a community, sharing things with existing friends and making new friends as you go. Social network sites such as Bebo, MySpace or Facebook allow a user to create his or her own profile, add comments, text, information about themselves and even uploading music, song lists, photos and videos. Groups can be created from virtually any subject in these sites. In a group people with similar interests, hobbies, employment and many other things which can bring large groups of people together from across the world instantly from any computer terminal.
There is practically no limit to the application of social networking. Sites like MySpace which allow artists to upload their music and share it with the world is an example of how social networking can be used to gain employment, online dating is also similar, as it allows people to see a person’s photo their status and even share email or telephone calls before they decide they want to commit to a romantic relationship.

Multiplayer games such as second life also falls under the category of social networking as it allows users the ability to meet and interact with other users around the globe in a 3D virtual interactive environment. Blogging also falls under the social network banner, as it allows you to create your own personal website onto which you can post links, photos and anything else you like to share with friends and complete strangers.

Privacy
With increased popularity of computers and high speed connections security on your computer and its internet accounts is vital, as it prevents data tampering, sabotage or even your personal work being copied. The same goes with social networking sites. There are many safety and privacy issues relating to the use of a social network site mostly involving how a site can make your personal information free for everyone to see. Therefore it is vital that information such as your home number, address, places visited often and even relationship information should be carefully considered before posting. A good rule is not to post any information online you would not be happy for anyone to read. Some sites allow you to control who can see your information or posts, usually controlled by a friends ‘list’ whereby they have to be logged in and on your list before they can see your home address.

When creating a profile on a social networking site information such as address, phone number and credit card details are usually optional, and it is therefore not required for them to be entered given the nature that anyone could use this free information to access banking details or transfer money. Most social network sites offer some form of messaging system, so it is relatively easy to start a conversation with other users. You must still be careful about which personal information you tell people and how they are planning o use it.
Along with this social networking comes with a range of legal considerations, which are usually included in the websites terms and conditions area. It is important to observe copyright laws before uploading video footage, text or photographs that do not belong to you without prior permission. Sexually explicit or violent images or text may also cause your account to be suspended or even possible legal action.

Facebook
Originally designed for students of Harvard University Facebook a relatively new site designed by 23 year old Mark Zuckerberg, has stolen the lime light from MySpace with the companies estimated value of $10 billion and over 43 million users. So why is this site so popular? The basic operation and the user experience doesn’t differ much from other sites of its kind, users simply need a valid email account to register, you can supply as much or as little information as you like, things such as hobbies and interests, education and employment are just some of the area’s most popular. It is then possible to insert a profile image and search other users for relationship status, hobbies and generally the idea is to allow you to find likeminded people who share similar interests as you, helping you develop friends around the globe without leaving your house.

One way Facebook is different from the competition is that it allows different ways of communicating with people on your friends list. Every profile includes the wall, a simple interactive message board that an account owner and friends can post short messages to each other, simple and highly effective. It is possible to send people in your friends list a full message, full and private, from you to him closely related to an email. RSS feeds also allow you to keep track of activities of friends and new information on Facebook.

Facebook also allows users to upload photos and images and arrange them into albums, without the use of an external site such as Flickr. Your friends may also leave comments about your photos which the user can then vet and delete incase there is any violent or undesirable comments left on the images. Facebook can mainly dedicate its success to the lack of social network sites that cater for the older users, and also the simple layout not over run by ad’s and popup windows advertising Viagra and “You Have Won” windows.

Blogging
Blogging is the process of keeping a kind of online diary where users may leave comments, so more or less a online board where only authors can post large amounts of information. The reason why blogging has become so popular is due to people writing online, their thoughts, what has happened and allowing user feedback on what they thought about certain things. Sure other sites allow this exact same feature, but the user knowing that he is in control allows a difference in what information they feel comftable posting. If you use a board then it is likely that other users have been there longer, and you may watch what you say as you will be considered a new comer. But with a blog you are master, you control everything and you may post information and long boring diary entries about whatever you wish, imagine if anyone ever read or commented on these. But some blog sites such as the COMP3505 blog can show practical uses, such as viewing and commenting on other people assignment work and how information can be manipulated to serve practical purposes.

Last.fm
This site deals with music lovers. You can automatically keep tabs on other users and friends by means of online profiles with loved and hated music aswell as what they have played recently. RSS feeds also make it easy to keep track of other users behaviors. The software included in this site allowed users to upload their windows media player playlists and history however provided little coverage for users of other systems such as Mac or Linux. The included software was easy to use and powerful. The speed of the music downloads was comparable to radio and at a much higher quality. The search function allowing artists to be grouped into similar and tagged to easily find artists of the same genre is a powerful tool in this package and has led to its current popularity.

Along with all of these and many more sites comes a list a mile and a half long with programs that can enhance the users interaction with social networking sites. MyEdit 1.0 for example is a MySpace tool that has been used to personalize many MySpace pages without the dorky explorer window as its only interface. ShareThis add on also allows an easier interface for Facebook when communicating with your friends. To conclude the social networking may very well only be in the early stages of development and already this popular, only time will tell what this creative and endlessly flexible design will become. From the use of social networking sites the connection between myself and other users has increased, mainly thru last.fm, as musical tastes are a major part of the people whom I connect with. Other hobbies also effected the users I communicated with. Only one thing is certain for the future of social networking, my experience is not over.


Feel free to visit MySpace http://ajlambert.spaces.live.com/
Alan J Lambert
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Ultimate Guides - Facebook and other social networks ISSUE 2 2008
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_network
www.techcrunch.com/2007/07/24/9-ways-to-build-your-own-social-network/
www.whatissocialnetworking.com/
www.orgnet.com/sna.html