Google s Orkut in Brazil
Q.: How do social networking sites work? What has contributed to their immense popularity?
A.:
The first phase of the Web was all about content publishing by “experts”, without any possibility of interaction between user and author. The second phase of the Web, Web 2.0, is defined by social media tools, which support social interactions and connections with people, as well as collaboration and sharing, and the creation of user-generated content. This was the major change that allowed the beginning of social networks.
Social networks are groups of people who share common interests, and social networking sites offer different ways for their users to interact, such as chat, messaging, email, as well as share files, blog and discuss online.
The principle behind social networking sites is common. One must register himself in the site, create and edit a profile with his personal data, add photos, comments, multimedia content and share it with other users of the same community. The differences between the several sites are mostly in the way this information can be accessed and shared. Myspace allows search for anyone but access to their information in only when they agree to join your network; Facebook is more exclusive and group oriented, where used can decide who can see his info and until which extent. Orkut allows anyone to visit anyone 's profile, unless a potential visitor is on your "Ignore List"
The fact that social networking sites allow people to join other persons with the same interests as them is one of the main reasons for its success. Moreover, one can belong to more than one group of interests, which is in my opinion the biggest advantage of these virtual friendships versus the face to face ones. It is very difficult for a person in real life to belong to more than 2 or 3 groups of friends with different interests as it takes time, it takes availability and somehow groups in real life makes you exclude other groups. For instance, if you have a group
A.:
The first phase of the Web was all about content publishing by “experts”, without any possibility of interaction between user and author. The second phase of the Web, Web 2.0, is defined by social media tools, which support social interactions and connections with people, as well as collaboration and sharing, and the creation of user-generated content. This was the major change that allowed the beginning of social networks.
Social networks are groups of people who share common interests, and social networking sites offer different ways for their users to interact, such as chat, messaging, email, as well as share files, blog and discuss online.
The principle behind social networking sites is common. One must register himself in the site, create and edit a profile with his personal data, add photos, comments, multimedia content and share it with other users of the same community. The differences between the several sites are mostly in the way this information can be accessed and shared. Myspace allows search for anyone but access to their information in only when they agree to join your network; Facebook is more exclusive and group oriented, where used can decide who can see his info and until which extent. Orkut allows anyone to visit anyone 's profile, unless a potential visitor is on your "Ignore List"
The fact that social networking sites allow people to join other persons with the same interests as them is one of the main reasons for its success. Moreover, one can belong to more than one group of interests, which is in my opinion the biggest advantage of these virtual friendships versus the face to face ones. It is very difficult for a person in real life to belong to more than 2 or 3 groups of friends with different interests as it takes time, it takes availability and somehow groups in real life makes you exclude other groups. For instance, if you have a group
Bibliography: Exame Info News. (2008, 08 07). Retrieved 11 22, 2014, from EXAME INFO: http://info.abril.com.br/aberto/infonews/082008/07082008-23.shl Hart, J. (2008, 10). Social Media and Learning: Part 1. Retrieved 11 20, 2014, from Centre for Learning & Performance Technologies: http://c4lpt.co.uk/janes-articles-and-presentations/social-media-and-learning-part-1/ Livingstone, S. (2010, 01). Good practice guidance for the providers of Social networking and other user-interactive services. Retrieved 11 22, 2014, from Good practice guidance for the providers of Social networking and other user-interactive services: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/251456/industry_guidance_social_networking.pdf Youtube. (n.d.). Retrieved 11 22, 2014, from Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/yt/press/statistics.html