Social networks—defined as the use of internet
websites in which users have the ability to freely interact with one another through
various forms of multimedia—has become one of the most pervasive forms of
communication within the last century. Within the realm of social media, users
can utilize a synthesis of novel words, visuals such as pictures and videos,
and even audio recordings, in order to engage in person-to-person conversations.
Such websites are attuned to a plethora of unique audiences, manifesting in countless
forms of social networks such as blogs, forums, wikis, podcasts, and many more.
SixDegrees.com Becomes the First Recognized Modern Social
Network Website
 |
| Six Degrees allowed people to freely communicate with friends and other social groups. |
Friendster Arises as the Next Major Social Network Site,
Emphasizing the Concept of Discovering Friends and Friends-of-Friends In Order
to Expand Individual Social Networks
 |
| Friendster's "Circle of Friends" concept attempted to connect as many people as possible through common interests and friends. |
Developed in 2002, Friendster,
or the “granddaddy of social networks”, became the next major social
networking website, with 3 million users signing up within 3 months. Utilizing
the “degrees of separation” concept from Six Degrees, the website was led by
the “Circle of Friends” idea, allowing people to discover friends,
and then friends of their friends, and so on in order to expand each user’s
individual social network. The ultimate goal of Friendster was to create an online community that allowed its users to meet in
a safe place other than in real-life. It attempted to match users to other
users with the same interests and friends, thus, connecting people based on the
assumption that friends-of-friends would have a better chance at connecting rather
than two complete strangers. Currently, since the site lost many of its users due to other emerging networks, Friendster strayed from its original intent and is now attempting to become an online gaming website.
Unique Profile Customization Abilities Makes Myspace More
Popular than Friendster
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| MySpace allowed users to completely customize their profiles, such as adding unique layouts and music players. |
MySpace followed and
surpassed Friendster in 2003, ultimately gathering 90 million profiles within a
short period of time. The major reason why MySpace became popular, especially
towards the younger audience, was because it allowed its users complete
customization over their profiles; with embedded music, videos, and customizable
layouts, each user’s profile is unique, giving a sense of individuality that
many social network sites failed to develop. Borrowing the same networking ideas
from Friendster, MySpace allowed its users to communicate through public
comments posted on their profiles, as well as private messages, bulletin posts,
and blog posts. In addition, MySpace introduced MySpace IM in 2006, an instant
messaging client which allowed users to instantly chat with friends. As of now, MySpace is catering towards the music world, revamping its site to help showcase up-and-coming artists around the world.
With an Easier and Simpler User Interface, Facebook Becomes
Today’s Leading Social Networking Website by Appealing to a Wide Range of Users
 |
| Facebook borrows aspects from preceding social networking sites, such as customization of individual profiles, connecting with friends, and the creation of small social groups. |
MySpace, which lost many of its users because of Facebook, only appealed to the younger audiences, who quickly grew out of the “customization
and individualization” aspects rather quickly. Furthermore, Facebook also had a
simpler and cleaner user interface, which made using the website much easier
than other preceding social networking sites, such as Six Degrees and
Friendster, which many users found to be cumbersome. Now, Facebook borrows a
lot of successful aspects from past social networking sites, such as adding
instant messaging client and customization of individual profiles (borrowed
from MySpace), connecting with friends and suggestions to friends of friends
(borrowed from Friendster), and also permitting users to make small social
groups with common interests (borrowed from Six Degrees).
In today’s society, social
media has become an essential aspect to almost everyone’s life. With the use of
social networking sites such as Facebook, people are now using such sites as a
way to communicate, stay in touch, keep up on current news, and entertain
oneself. Social networks are now being used as a way to help connect individuals to the world around them.
Randy's headline is explanatory and the content is organized. For those who are scanners, he successfully uses bolded subheadings and has links embedded throughout. He first defines social networking and then goes through a timeline from the first social networking site, Six Degress, to the latest and most popular site, Facebook. Six Degrees allowed people to make profiles and be friends with other users, but eventually had its downfall when the founders were only focused on getting users to refer others with no incentive. A year later in 2002, Friendster allowed users to discover friends and friends-of-friends to create a safe online community. But, it was left behind when other websites became more popular. MySpace surpassed Friendster because it allowed users to customize their profile with embedded music, layouts, and videos. Facebook is now the leading social networking site because of its simple interface that appeals to different generations and even business professionals. Randy notes that as each social networking site surpassed one another they also borrowed the successful aspects from each. But, what's next on the timeline? I would add to your post the future of social networking sites and what may come after Facebook. Technologygeek.net goes through 8 social networking sites that might be unknown right now, but because of their innovative features may be the next hit. It includes both internet and smartphone apps, for example, Thumb, Pheed and Path are Smartphone apps, Medium is on the Internet, and Fancy is on the Internet and Smartphone. http://www.technologeek.net/8-upcoming-social-networks-you-cant-miss/
ReplyDeleteRandy’s post is constructed very well. He has pictures of each networking site he will speak about as well as links, which allow the reader to know that information he is giving is credible. His headline is tells the reader what he will be talking about. As the reader you know that Randy will be talking about social networking. Randy’s points each tell about a different social network.
ReplyDeleteThe first is SixDegress.com, then Friendster, Myspace and lastly Facebook. Each od these social networks has been overshadowed by the other leaving Facebook as the most popular. Friendster overshadowed SixDegress.com because it allowed the user to find friends. Myspace overshadowed Friendster because the profiles could be customized. Finally, Facebook overshadowed Myspace because it is the simplest networking website to use.
To add to this post I would talk about newer social media sites, such as Twitter, Instagram or Vine because they are the most commonly used. I’m not very familiar with SixDegrees.com and Friendster, which could be true for others too and that may be the same for people that do not know about twitter or vine but I would still add those because those are the most popularly used sites today.
Randy's post was great! Starting with the title, it was explanatory. The headline addressed the main point of the post which was social networking sites. There's really nothing I would change about it, it got information across to the reader in a concise sentence. For the topic scanner Randy's post is excellent. The bolded subheads clearly provide the main points and I like how it goes in chronological order. The subheads and overall story goes from the beginning of social networking sites to social networking sites today and that makes it really easy for the reader to follow along.
ReplyDeleteLooking at the overall structure of the post Summie did a great job at formatting the post making it easy for the reader to read and understand. Not only the subheads do this but also the pictures. The pictures complement each section perfectly and he has them alternating sides which bounces the reader's eyes from side to side, keeping the post interesting to look at. The links provided are excellent as they help validate and elaborate on the information provided. He did provide a generic link (friendster.com) but this was a rare case where I thought it was useful. Not many people know or have even heard of friendster so providing the link helps them see what it looks like now compared to how it used to look.
One thing I would've discussed in this article is the rising popularity of Twitter. Twitter is currently the most popular social media site for teens (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2475591/Twitter-overtakes-Facebook-popular-social-network-teens-according-study.html). He could've discussed this and also given his opinion of whether or not he believes Twitter will completely overtake Facebook and if Facebook will fade away like Myspace and Friendster.