Added: 10/24/2005 |
On Online Social NetworkingIn the real world, social network is relatively limited. The average person, after leaving high school or university, is rarely exposed to large groups of his or her peers. Most people's social networking is limited to the people they work with and maybe a few others that they interact with on a regular basis. The internet has drastically changed how social networking operates for many people. All of sudden someone can quickly connect with thousands of other people who share their interests. For a person with obscure interests, the kind that are never shared with the few colleges at work, a social network service on the internet can be a godsend, allowing him or her to quickly connect with others who share the same interests.
There are many different ways in which social networking can be achieved online. On of the most basic is message boards, where users can log on and post and exchange messages with each other about a given topic. An example of the social network a message bard allows for would a board devoted to antique shopping in a certain city: users from that city interested in antiques could exchange information with other who share the same interests, and meet up with each other if desired.
A more recent phenomenon online is the social network service. These are services that exist purely for the purpose of partaking in social networking online. A popular example would be the social networking service provide by friendster. This is a system where a user can create an account, and post information about themselves and their interests. Why friendster functions so efficiently as a social network service is because the system allows users to mark other users as 'friends.' For example, if you come across another users profile that interests you, you may add that person to your 'friends' list. In this way users slowly accumulate a list of friends.
Friendster, though, takes the system one step further which extends its power as a social networking service. Once you find a user you would like to mark as a 'friend' you are also connected to that friend's friends. We all know from real life experience that one is far more likely to become friends with the friends of people they already know - a common ground already exists. Friendster's method of social networking works on this principle by exploiting the full power of the internet to connect millions of people from all over the world together easily and instantly.
For the average user, using a social networking service like friendster can provide many opportunities. If you're planning to move to a different city, for example, you may find someone on your friendster list (often connected through an intermediate friend) who lives in that city, and may have advice for finding an apartment. Another situation is people involved in the arts or entertainment communities - a band can have a much easier time of promoting their shows by connecting with people with similar interests on the friendster network.
There are many ways in which the internet changes the way people interact, and a social networking service is an excellent example. By allowing people all over the world with similar interests to easily connect with the others, a social network service has drastically changed the process of social networking for many people.
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