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Social Networking 3.0

Continued from page 1

By Wade Roush

Friday, November 18, 2005

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Second Coming

Psychologist Stanley Milgram established in the 1960s that any two people on earth are connected to each other by a series of, on average, six intermediaries -- an idea that was later popularized through John Guare's play "Six Degrees of Separation" and the subsequent film adaptation. By the late 1990s, entrepreneurs realized that the Internet could become the perfect medium for connecting people to others beyond their first- or second-degree acquaintances.

But the first generation of free social-networking websites, such as sixdegrees.com, dried up even before the dot-com boom ended. That was partly because, like most other dot-coms, the sites lacked revenue-producing business models. But it was also because the technology hadn't evolved into a usable form. Users had little idea what they could actually accomplish through their online social networks.

The post-crash boom in online advertising -- and especially the 2001 advent of Google's AdWords advertising program, which shows keyword-based ads alongside content such as users' profiles -- finally gave social-networking companies a way to convert website traffic into dollars, without having to take the perilous step of charging members a subscription fee. As many as 30 social-networking startups were launched between 2001 and 2004, backed by tens of millions of dollars in venture capital. (See "Internetworking," April 2004.)

But sites like LinkedIn, Friendster, and Tribe still offered little more than the ability to create online profiles and invite friends to link to those profiles. Members raced to see how many connections they could build, as if the size of one's network were more important than the quality of its members.

By late 2004 or early 2005, the novelty had begun to wear off for some. "When [LinkedIn] was first created, I thought it was interesting and thought it'd be beneficial to have my information there, both for me to contact people and for them to contact me," wrote Russell Beattie, a software developer at Yahoo, in an April 2005 blog entry. "I gave it plenty of time to be useful, but it just hasn't done anything at all for my life."

At that very moment, however, LinkedIn and other companies were beginnning to add features that made the value of an online social network clearer, at least for some users. In March, for example, LinkedIn launched a feature that helps job seekers find contacts at companies where they want to work; LinkedIn makes money by charging $10 for each message a user wants to send to a potential employer through the network. Other new revenue-generating features include a job-posting service and LinkedIn for Groups, which creates online networks confined to organizations such as college alumni associations.

Friendster, for its part, boasted by far the largest social network online by 2004, with over ten million users. Then the company endured a painful user backlash over poor site performance and a plague of hoax profiles called "fakesters." But now Friendster is staging a comeback, in part by introducing a raft of services that help members trade digital content.

"We've listened to our user base very closely, and we're also paying attention to what the competition is doing, and we've formulated a new strategy that is really about personal media," says Jeff Roberto, a marketing manager at Friendster. For example, users can now create blogs, control the appearance of their profiles, upload up to 50 photos, watch slide shows of the photos most recently uploaded by their friends, post classified ads that link back to their profiles, and share audio and video files stored on their PCs using peer-to-peer technology provided by Grouper.

Comments

  • So many news services --> Digg, So many SNS --> ?
    There have been so many news services and they simply overwhelmed web surfers. I couldnt understand why so many portals and news agencies accomodate same (at least similar) stories in slightly different format.  Web portals should not bother to edit their news sections. They must leave it to their users likewise Digg does. Now, there are so many social networking servicers. What right should be given to their users?
    Rate this comment: 12345
    Guest (Sangmin Ahn)
    11/21/2005
    Posts:1
  • Guest (Justin )
    12/03/2005
    Posts:1
  • So many news services --> Digg, So many SNS --> ?
    There have been so many news services and they simply overwhelmed web surfers. I couldnt understand why so many portals and news agencies accomodate same (at least similar) stories in slightly different format.  Web portals should not bother to edit their news sections. They must leave it to their users likewise Digg does. Now, there are so many social networking servicers. What right should be given to their users?
    Rate this comment: 12345
    Guest (Sangmin Ahn)
    11/21/2005
    Posts:1
  • Mind Deposit
    I found another social networking website.  I like it way better the those in this article becuase the makers focus on making a useful tool to create our own free website, rather than just connection.  They have all of the networking and connecting tools too, but their blog and onlne journaling tool is bay far the best .  I have all of my thoughte perfectly organized.  MindDeposit is the website.  Here's the link: www.minddeposit.com
    Rate this comment: 12345
    Guest (Cynthia)
    04/21/2006
    Posts:1
  • Social Network
    It is a special type of network.
    Rate this comment: 12345
    Guest (Ravi)
    07/05/2006
    Posts:1
    • Re: Social Network
      Onto a new exciting site called Zonzia.net.
      Zonzia.net is a step above the rest with top notch Video technology on it’s way. Video dating, resumes, profiles, and online conference will revolutionize online communities. This site is raising eyebrows in the social networking crowd and attracting a lot of attention. It’s “touch of class” personality puts it in a league of it’s own, drawing “gurus” of the social scene in for a closer look. Video being in the spotlight, there are many extras to Zonzia.net. Music, forums, groups, classifieds, and chat rooms are but a few, there is even a Zonzia.net .
      Rate this comment: 12345

      tony008
      05/24/2008
      Posts:1
      Avg Rating:
      5/5
      • Re: Social Network
        Zonzia.net is 100% free a combination of youtube and myspace, and dating site with extra features I like very much, and I really enjoy my time on the site.
        Rate this comment: 12345

        sandranewman
        05/25/2008
        Posts:1
        Avg Rating:
        5/5
        • Re: Social Network
          I join my voice to the others and I would like to add the fact that after a bout one month of being a member on Zonzia.net I found it easy to connect with friends, old and new; share your thoughts and ideas and express your creativity on the free social networking website, Zonzia.net.

          Zonzia.net provides plenty of networking features to customize your personal profile and to get you on your way to establishing a large network of friends. Discover other avenues of expression by posting blogs and joining forums. Choose from a variety of extra features like Internet radio, videos and groups.

          Zonzia.net would have been awarded our #2 spot if they were more diligent about monitoring their content.


          Networking Features: 

          Zonzia.net has an assortment of features to customize your profile page. Upload photos, graphics, music, videos and choose from over 40 skins to make your profile unique.

          Privacy settings allow only your friends to view your full profile while a limited profile is still accessible to other Zonzia.net members. You can see the last 100 people who have viewed your profile and if necessary, you can block individual members.

          Ads appear around the periphery of profile pages, which some members may find annoying but they are not obtrusive.

          Click on a member’s photo or name to view their profile page. View their photos and videos; read their personal blog, post comments and invite them into your network of friends. Narrow your member search to specific criteria like gender, age, relationship status and location.

          Rate this comment: 12345

          michael1960
          05/25/2008
          Posts:1
          Avg Rating:
          5/5
  • Free Code = death to CyWorld in USA
    Fortunately - users in the US have many options, for social networks - many new ones are springing up with fancy technology - or gimicky concepts - but the fundamental equation for success is simple.

    One new branch is represented by "CyWorld" - a transplant from Korea.  Unfortunately Cyworld has a take-it-or-leave-it from their collection of avatars and mini "virtual items" - to decorate your profile (home) and make it your own.  It is not likely to appeal to many MySpace users.

    Other sites are pushing new technology too - but often miss what users care about in terms of self expression and interaction.

    MySpace may be terrible tecnnically - and not appeal to the geek "technorati" in elegance - but it is King with users - and it's easy to see why:

    FREEDOM

    The fundamental problem is diversity with the CyWorld Approach - MySpace has created a huge ecosystem of companies like www.skem9.com www.blemeshack.com www.glitter-graphics.com www.dolliecrave.com www.myonda.com www.createblog.com

    the list and diveristy of sites serving different interests - with different layouts, graphics, video, music etc. to customize your profile - or ANY OTHER profile on another social network is astounding. There are litterally millions upon millions of items from thousands of sites. CyWorld only offers their items - yes for cute acorns, but C'mon?? Who would pay? All the sites offer Free Code - that you can put on any blog, website, profile, wherever...and they are not going away.

    www.blemeshack.com has even launched a meta search engine to search all the other sites to find these free items and the free code...

    You Tube is another Major market force - in distributing their video <embed> codes free - they have grown to be the market leader - and the dozens of video offerings that have followed - have all had to offer their video codes for distrbution - to MySpace profiles, blogs, and anywhere else...

    Other social networks will grow - and in time - one may top myspace - but it will be based on leveraging all the FREE decoration and enhancement codes ALREADY out there... not by building a closed walled community - and trying to trick users with cutesy garbage into paying for a poorer choice of items.

    Look at Tag World - which has tried to push and push it's own "widgets" (technically elegant and loved by techies) to enhance your profile - after tons of money spent - it's numbers still suck. Lost Cherry is a good example of an SN that is embracing all of the MySpace content sites - and enhancing some messaging features - and growing like a rocket. They have another revenue idea which is getting users to review advertisers offerings more closely - in exchage for points - but they are doing nothing to try to lock users in, and fully support HTML grabbed from any where - and stored in users bleme Shacks.

    In the end - the equation is simple:

    Free Code + Leveraging Existing Content + Demographic focus => Social Networking success.

    joe
    Rate this comment: 12345

    sloppyjoe25
    09/05/2006
    Posts:1
    Avg Rating:
    1/5
  • Blog on Social Networking 3.0
    Just found this blog on the new direction of Social Networking (3.0) posted by the Godfather of Social Networking himself, Andrew Weinreich. It will be interesting to see how 3.0 develops and the role mobile technology will play. I'd watch his blog:

    http://blog.meetmoi.com/
    Rate this comment: 12345

    tbeestrong
    02/21/2007
    Posts:1
    Avg Rating:
    1/5
  • Yuwie
    A great new Social Networking Site is Yuwie.com

    It is a lot like Myspace, but you get paid for your page views + the page views of up to ten levels of referrals. I find it easier to use and more interactive than the other sites. Alexa.com shows it exploding to the top of the Internet listings. Check out Yuwie.com!

    Rate this comment: 12345

    cms168
    09/11/2007
    Posts:1
    Avg Rating:
    1/5
  • Zonzia.net
    Zonzia.net is a great place for socializing, you can create your own profile exactly as you want you can add numerous pictures, you can either build old relationships or make new ones. Free chat, vedio chat, free 3D city and free games, blogs, forums, groups, and a lot more, I would throughly recommend zonzia.net.
    Rate this comment: 12345

    Lareen Fox
    05/28/2008
    Posts:1
    Avg Rating:
    5/5
    • Re: Zonzia.net
      This is petty cool guys. I have checked the site couple of days ago. We can do whatever thing like other social networks. You may better check out.

      ---------------
      GAYATHRI

      Wide Circles
      Rate this comment: 12345

      morganwardzt...
      07/29/2008
      Posts:2
  • Social Networking is the thing
    I totally agree social networking and social media are on the rise. Seems to be one of the few industries with a lot of good buzz.

    I started a couple of social media companies myself social media marketing, social networking software just to see what pans out, the buzz is just so exciting in these times of economic turmoil.
    Rate this comment: 12345

    social media...
    03/19/2009
    Posts:1

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