Social Networking Sites

By: Frank Wu

Lu Xie Yuri Chung

Paige Borah

INTRODUCTIONThe term Social Networking websites refers to one kind of web-enabled software program that allows users to interact and work collaboratively with other users.

It includes the ability to browse, search, invite friends to connect and interact, share film reviews, comments, blog entries, favorites, discussions, events, videos, ratings, music, classified ads, tag and classify information and more.

Popular Social Networking Websites

Myspace

Facebook

Linked- In

my Yearbook

Skyrock

Facebook

History

Special Features

Future Plans

Success and Criticism

History

SixDegrees.com- 1997 Starting in 2001, there was a trend of Social

Networking Sites that linked professional and personal worlds.

Social Networking Sites became mainstream in 2003

MySpace: mostly former Friendster users and indie bands; teens in 2004

Facebook: expands 2005-2006 Allows for more privatization and the creation of

“Applications”

History of Facebook

Created by Mark Zuckerberg Facebook was at first restricted to Harvard

College students It expand to other universities in June 2004 Then to high school in September 2005 Afterwards, it increased it membership size to

companies Finally it expanded to anyone 13 or older with

a valid email address

Special Features of Facebook Interact with their friends online Exchange files such as photographs through special

features like the Wall Can post messages by text, images and video Wall: a space on user’s profile page Status: inform their friends of their actions Gifts: Send and receive gifts from other facebook

users Poke: allows users to poke another Add friends, send messages, update profile Getting to know other people in campus Tag: labels users in the photo

Future Plans

Many social networking sites plan to expand to other countries

Facebook currently has many users in U.S., Canada, and UK and plans to expand and increase its membership in different parts of the world.

Successes

• Facebook is the leading social networking site based on monthly unique visitors

* Facebook has taken over Myspace in April 2008 in world wide traffic

• Website's ranking among all websites increased from 60th to 7th in terms of worldwide traffic

• Most popular in English speaking countries; United Kingdom, Canada

• Has won awards such as "Top 100 Classic Websites” and "People's Voice Award”

FUN FACT!• Facebook was named the second most popular thing

among undergraduates, tied with beer and only ranked lower than the iPod

Criticism

Facebook has assured worried users the next privacy policy will not include the clause about information collection and has denied any data mining is being done

In November 2007, Facebook launched Beacon, a system where third-party websites can include a script by Facebook on their sites

Students who post illegal or otherwise inappropriate material have faced disciplinary action from their Universities

"News Feed" and "Mini-Feed” concerns expressed regarding the use of Facebook as a

means of surveillance and data-mining Facebook is most often compared to Myspace but one

significant difference between the two sites is the level of customization

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