I chose to establish profiles on three social networks. The basic process to sign up for an account at each site was very similar. All three sites requested information (name, address, birth date, email address, etc.) and all gave the option to access your personal email to add contacts already using the network or to invite contacts to join you on their network. The profile set up was a little different at each site and I will detail out some of the differences.
- myspace: myspace is the original social network. It is the preferred social network by my own children and most all of the teen youths I have met. The set up is typical with all of the general information collected.
- CON: It was not very intuitive after setting up the account what the user should do next (at least not for me). After setting up the account the user is dropped on to a page that I refer to as the "back office" of the users site.
- CON: No instructions or prompts to talk the user into the next steps to set up their profile page. It is a use and explore sort of site. Note: When I first tried to set up a myspace page fall of 2007 for Ron Dries ITS1670 class, I became so frustrated I abandoned the page. I only returned to finish what I started for the sake of this project.
- CON: To personalize the profile page the user must go multiple places.
- To enter text on the profile page (user interests, hobbies, etc.) user must select to "edit profile" and fill in the various text boxes, and save.
- To customize the look of the profile page (colors, borders, etc.) user must select "edit profile" and look for the link that says "profile editor" (note: cannot edit the look of a myspace page with any other browser other than Internet Explorer. If you use Mozilla Firefox like me, you are out of luck. You will have to open an Internet Explorer window to make any changes to the visual look of your myspace page.
- CON: To display nice graphics or themes, a user must go to a different site to shop for themes. Most sites require you sign up to become a member and because the sites are not part of myspace, once the user finds a theme they like, they must copy the HTML code to paste into the right area of the myspace personal profile in order for the graphics to display properly. SOUND COMPLICATED? It was for me. This is the part were I threw in the towel. My sons even tried to help me figure it out but I was already so frustrated that I gave up and worked on facebook.
- PRO: Once taking the time to look for the themes and learn to copy the HTML code into the right areas of the profile, I am very pleased with the way the social network page looks. I found a theme in colors and designed that suit my personality, and even found music I liked.
- bebo: I thought I would set up an account at a social network site I had not heard of called bebo. Like the other social network sites, the initial set up was very general and requested all of the same information. The profile customization was the most notably different part of the process.
- PRO: bebo prompted me as the user through every step of the profile process. From inviting friends to entering data, a photo, and selecting a theme.
- PRO: User does not have to go off site to select a theme. More themes than I could possibly go through in a sitting were at my disposal. Themes varied both in color and artistic content. A wide array of hobbies, interests, generational interests, you name it - I think bebo had it!
- PRO: Another feature I like when selecting my theme was the "favorites" file. As I looked through the themes, I did not have to remember which page something was on or what the theme was called. I simply added it to my favorites list and when I was ready to select a theme, I could view ALL of the themes I found appealing. Further more, this feature will make it easy to change the theme to match my mood, the seasons, or what ever is going on in my life at the time.
- facebook: The last site I will review is facebook. It has grown by leaps and bounds and is predicted to surpass myspace soon. I believe the secret to their success is one of the very reasons I scrapped myspace last fall and dove head first into facebook. It is EASY. It is easy to set up, clear to navigate, and it is fun.
- PRO: VERY easy to navigate and set up.
- PRO: VERY easy to join a group or affiliation
- PRO: VERY easy to shop for and add applications
- PRO: VERY easy to stay in touch with friends and search for friends by their affiliations with schools or places of employment.
- CON: User cannot customize the color or add graphics and themes to their site. The content itself will add flair. I will discuss further when I address the applications of each site.
Interesting statistics concerning the user demographics of facebook:
- * Over 55,000 regional, work-related, collegiate, and high school networks
- * More than half of Facebook users are outside of college
- * The fastest growing demographic is those 25 years old and older
- * Maintain 85 percent market share of 4-year U.S. universities
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