Internet Services that Supports and Improve Collaboration Processes



Internet Services that Supports and Improve Collaboration Processes

Introduction

Today, millions of people—middle, high school, and college students, but increasingly adults as well—have pages on popular websites such as MySpace and Flickr. These sites are significant examples of social networking: the use of websites and communications and collaboration technology to help people find, form, and maintain social relationships.

The origins of social networking can be traced to online venues that arose in the 1970s and 1980s, notably Usenet and, later, online chat boards. In the late 1990s social networking websites began to appear, including Classmates.com (helping people find and communicate with former schoolmates) and SixDegrees.com, which emphasized "knows someone who knows someone who …" kinds of links. we are going to analyze six websites which are;

Hi 5

Myspace

Orkut

Google Plus

Socialvibe

Flickr

Discussion

Social network applications are also expanding behind the linking of classmates or colleagues. Companies can use social networking software to set up user groups and provide support and incentives. Medical professionals are often forming social networks to share knowledge and news—and not surprisingly, drug company representatives have moved in to make their pitch as well. Business executives and professionals can meet on LinkedIn, a site that links people only if they have an existing relationship or an "invitation" from an existing member. As further proof that the technology is maturing, about 20 percent of adult Internet users have reported visiting a social networking site in the past 30 days.

By the mid-2000s the two biggest sites were Facebook and MySpace. Founded in 2006 by Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook was originally restricted to Harvard students, but eventually became open to any college student, and then high schools and even places of employment. (The name comes from a book given to incoming students in some schools to familiarize them with their peers.) In late 2007 Facebook had more than 55 million active members and had become the seventh most visited of all websites.

Facebook users have profile pages that include a "wall" on which their designated circle of friends can post brief messages. (Longer or private messages similar to email can also be sent.) Users can also send each other "gifts" represented by colorful icons. Finally, users in a given Facebook community can keep track of each other's status (where they are and what they are doing)

Commercialization

Indeed, because they are now bringing so many people together, social networking sites have become a very attractive platform for online products and businesses. Facebook, for example, is explicitly allowing selected businesses to use the site, in exchange for a portion of the revenue generated. (Even without formal relationships, many sites allow users to add code enabling third-party services.) Some utilities (often sponsored by advertising) help users make their profiles more attractive, while one called MySpacelog serves users who are anxious to see who is viewing their sites. Looming on the horizon by 2007 was Google, which is releasing OpenSocial, a set of programming interfaces that is expected to enable developers to create applications that will run ...