Content-type: text/html Downes.ca ~ Stephen's Web ~ Network Connections

Stephen Downes

Knowledge, Learning, Community
Examines the phenomenon of social networking with an emplhasis on three casae studies: Friendster, Ryze and Meetup. Good summary of the theory behind social networking and a nice history relating the phenomenon to its origins in MUDs, Usenet and IRC. The case studies of the three sites are accurate and to the point. I would have preferred a sharper analysis. It seems to measure success according to whether online contacts meet offline. And it depicts the problems afflicting most social networking sites more as a consequence of scale rather than structure, with the solutions to be found by better searching (traversal and trawling). Still, if you are new to this field I would certainly recommend a read, and if you are conversant in social networks you may appreciate the point of view.

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Stephen Downes Stephen Downes, Casselman, Canada
stephen@downes.ca

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Last Updated: May 04, 2024 12:49 a.m.

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