A social network page is more than a list of your likes and dislikes, your marital status, and how many pets you have. Just as we set the tone for our living in the "real" world, we choose our friends, choose our clothes, users have numerous choices in how they want to approach a social network. The original social networks, or perhaps better stated as communities (late 1980's - early 1990's) were different compared to the popular social networks today. Although the early social networks were pioneers in online exploration and meeting other like minded surfers, they all came from pretty reality grounded backgrounds. That is to say they if they were playing the "hokey pokey" of social networking, they may have had an arm or two "in", but they still both feet firmly planted in the reality of life. Today, the social networks are more than just sounding boards, the digital pages and communities socialize, plan, entertain, connect, inform, and the platforms which execute these actions grow more and more detailed and interesting. Today generations of online youths have always been "connected" and their online experience or should I say lives are simply their everyday way of life.
I think about how I communicated with my favorite cousin who lived in a different state when I was young. We wrote letters to each other. If we wanted to do something exciting, we decorated the pages or envelope with hand drawn pictures. Later we went really wild with stickers! Today, I communicate with that same cousin through myspace and facebook. When something new happens in her neck of the woods, or she creates a new digital masterpiece, or she takes a vacation and wants to share her pictures, she updates her entire network at one time in one spot. My cousin will sometimes make a general post for all of her network friends to see and sometimes she will send a direct message just for me! The disadvange to communicating through a social network like facebook, myspace, or bebo is the fact your audience must become members to view your page. The advantage is the ablility to keep in touch with so many at the same time. The other advantage is finding or connecting to other people who think and feel the way we do. The same cousin I mentioned recently sent her son off to boot camp. He was the oldest of her three sons. She suffered with a terrible depression after his departure. She logged onto myspace and found a group of "Navy moms" who interact and support one another through the heart ache and fears of sending their children off to war. This support would have been very hard to come by a few decades ago.
Applications or add-on features - what am I talking about?
The applications are features that add something to the profile page. Generally something more than additional text. Of the three social sites I test drove, they all offered special applications. Most sites provide a way to search for applications. I think one of the reasons facebook is so popular is the variety of applications they have to offer. Through applications, my cousin was able to find other mother's in her situation and join a space just for them. Some applications are mindless fun, while others serve a purpose.
A popular applications is the "slide" photo application. Instead of looking a screen with a list of photos, the slide application brings life to your album. Here is an image of slide taken from my - myspace page. Users can customize the frame and multiple visual effects. Simply select to "add" the application and begin customizing. Add the pictures you want and change it as often as you want. I also liked the fact that when I had completed my masterpiece, I was given the option to add it to multiple social web sites! This was a time saving feature. As I update two social pages. Why? I have my kids and their friends on myspace and the majority of my friends who use facebook. The benefit of this application is the ability to instantly connect with friends and loved ones through images (birthdays, vacations, graduations, prom, etc.), I am hard pressed to find any disadvantages of this application except viewers cannot order prints and they must be members of the site to view the photos. Picasa is wonderful for photo sharing! It has nothing to do with social networks but it is a great online tool. Picasa allows you to create albums and slide shows and send the link out to family and friends. This is great because there is only one upload and family and friends can view and order the prints they like. Membership is not required.
Another fun application is the "MyFunWall" application. Members can post videos like the one Jessica Diaz posted on my site. Click on the photo and it should take you to "YouTube" and you can view the video. Friends can post pictures, postcards, videos, even announcements. I really like being able to send messages to select friends just by clicking their image or name. The advantage of this application is to connect by sharing some of the the things that touch us in one way or another. I cannot tell you how many times I have laughed or cried after viewing a wall posting. Some of the postings are serious in nature (one post I received addressed child abuse), others marvel at human ability and aptitude, while some are just there to laugh. The disadvantage to this application is it is a time consumer. It is easy to get wrapped up in watching these videos one after another.
My latest add was "Pieces of Flair!" I love this one because I have always loved buttons. You can search for buttons that express your personality, likes, dislikes, hobbies, etc. If you can't find something you have the option to create your very own button. Users can invite others to add this application and they can also send buttons to friends. The usefulness of this application, is really just to express individuality/personality. The disadvantage, might be the time it takes to look for all of your favorite buttons. It is like creating a work of art in a sense though. Every timed I read/look at certain buttons, they bring a smile to my face. It is a quick glimpse at some of the things that make Tina - Tina.
There are applications that compare shopping taste, quizzes to see how alike you are with your friends. I have one I update almost daily - it simply tells my friends what my mood for the day is and why. It seems like such a small thing, but I myself have taken that into action when I see a friend post a sad or mad mood. It is my cue to call or send them a message and check on them. I also added a VERY addictive game called "grains of rice" and it is a word game.
Basically there are many many more applications. I have found some to be absolutely mindless, some artistic, some expressive, some informative, and some very unusual. After playing and testing so many applications, I began to find myself compelled to return to my facebook page to play and interact with others - very dangerous for me. I made a choice not to watch television any more because I know it becomes an issue for me - I will not stop with one program! Watching TV for me is like opening a bag of chips or making fresh salsa... I can't help but indulge. For me, facebook is like one ongoing soap opera and I can't wait to tune in to see what is happening in the lives of "All my friends." I know web addiction is not something everyone must deal with, but surely I must not be the only one! Facebook is one of the fasting growing networks in existance. I know there must be other individuals who find themsleves compelled to return to various profile pages and play the mindless games and answer the pointless quizes and see the lastest poetry post, or even feed their virtual pet (I have a French Bulldog name Perceval).
I have met several people online around the world through an application called "karma" where you collect and share karma. Some karmas are special editions and if you don't have them all, you seek others who might be willing to share their karma. I now have friends in London, Singapore, Vietnam, Canada, several friends in India, and all over the United States. One day, one of my new friends in India told me she had decided to "quit" facebook. I asked her why? She said her brother thought it was taking over her life!
As I continue to play and meet people, I think more about what I choose to do on facebook and I have formulated some thoughts. I will share more tomorrow as it is way past my bed time.
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