Social Networking: Expanding Your Sphere!
Social networking, media and bookmarking sites are another leap for the individual to create, analyze, consume and distribute information or media and collaborate beyond what was possible without vast technical and financial resources just a short time ago. Like anything in life, the more effort you put into these facilities the more you get out. We’ll take a look at the basics of some of the networking sites to help you see what might be of use to you and where to get started.
MySpace
With more than 200 million members, MySpace is by far the most popular social networking site. Joining is free for the ad driven environment, you need only supply an email address and password. Members can set up a profile page outlining personal information, interests, images and the like and choose what you care to make public about yourself. You can create a blog, display images and video, join groups for business, entertainment or any of your interests.
MySpace works off a network of “Friends.” You can view profiles of other members, send messages, or solicit them to be your friend. The power in this is that as you build your network of friends you are able to broadcast a message to everyone on your friends list. The potential uses of this facility are limited only by your imagination; clubs, bands, organizations and the like can distribute notice of events, political groups can distribute a call to action, business can distribute new product information and the like. You can also develop a blog space, join groups or forums to take the interaction even further.
To be sure, there is offensive material distributed throughout MySpace. Most of this is obvious as soon as you get a message or friend request. You can choose to delete the message or deny the request without notification to the sender. You can also block a sender or report offenders. With some effort the ability to network with millions of like minded members or potential clients and customers far out weighs the inconvenience.
Facebook was launched in February of 2004 as a networking site for students at Harvard College. While still focused on the college community, Facebook now boasts about 48 million members. Like MySpace, the ad driven site is free with users providing profiles, joining groups and forums with selected friends. Profile information can be restricted to members of your personal network. A free classified ad feature was added in May called Facebook Marketplace with categories for sale items, jobs, housing and more.
While MySpace allows custom CSS and HTML for page layouts, Facebook is developing a programmable interface called Facebook Platform for the more technically inclined. This opens up a whole new field for custom features and development. Application vendors are already stepping up to take advantage of the opportunity.
Windows Live Spaces
Formerly know as MSN Spaces, Windows Live Spaces is the Microsoft entry into social networking now includes upwards of 120 million members. It offers many of the same features as the other networks and integrates well with Windows Live Messenger. If there are criticisms it would be the limitations of the customization options. Older versions of Mozilla may have problems using the site as well. Microsoft’s practice of proprietizing the code has plagued them in the past and seems to affect this portal. Additionally, they closely monitor language on the site.
Classmates.com
Started in 1995, Classmates.com began to appear everywhere beaconing viewer to connect with former schoolmates. Now boasting some 40 million members, the site is free for registrants to be found. To send messages to members requires a Gold Account. In addition, Gold members can use tools for planning reunions and events, form groups and use “My Network” to communicate with friends.
Because of the basis on which Classmates.com was built members use real names as opposed to user names in other sites. To provide security, a double blind email system is used. Member profiles are protected unless disclosed to friends. If there is a negative it is the difficulty Gold members have experienced canceling the service.
There are numerous additional sites of this nature around the world, some specializing to select groups of people. Any one of the above offers numerous opportunities to extend one’s reach. If your intent is to expose your product or business to a larger audience stay focused and filter your friends / contacts in a diligent manner. [wb_8]
