Sunday, January 23, 2011

What Is Social Networking? Social Networking. . . It's the way the 21st century communicates today. Want to know what it really means?

Social networking is the grouping of individuals into specific groups, like small rural communities or a neighborhood subdivision, if you will. Although social networking is possible in person, especially in the workplace, universities, and high schools, it is most popular online. This is because unlike most high schools, colleges, or workplaces, the internet is filled with millions of individuals who are looking to meet other people, to gather and share first-hand information and experiences about cooking, golfing, gardening,  developing friendships or professional alliances, finding employment, business-to-business marketing and even groups sharing information about the end of the Mayan calendar and the Great Shift to arrive December 21-2012. The topics and interests are as varied and rich as the story of our world.
When it comes to online social networking, websites are commonly used. These websites are known as social sites. Social networking websites function like an online community of internet users. Depending on the website in question, many of these online community members share common interests in hobbies, religion, or politics. Once you are granted access to a social networking website you can begin to socialize. This socialization may include reading the profile pages of other members and possibly even contacting them. 
The friends that you can make are just one of the many benefits to social networking online. Another one of those benefits includes diversity because the internet gives individuals from all around the world access to social networking sites. This means that although you are in the United States, you could develop an online friendship with someone in Denmark or India. Not only will you make new friends, but you just might learn a thing or two about new cultures or new languages and learning is always a good thing.
As mentioned, social networking often involves grouping specific individuals or organizations together. While there are a number of social networking websites that focus on particular interests, there are others that do not. The websites without a main focus are often referred to as "traditional" social networking websites and usually have open memberships. This means that anyone can become a member, no matter what their hobbies, beliefs, or views are. However, once you are inside this online community, you can begin to create your own network of friends and eliminate members that do not share common interests or goals.
As I'm sure you're aware, there are dangers associated with social networking including data theft and viruses, which are on the rise. The most prevalent danger though often involves online predators or individuals who claim to be someone that they are not. Although danger does exist with networking online, it also exists in the real world, too. Just like you're advised when meeting strangers at clubs and bars, school, or work -- you are also advised to proceed with caution online.
By being aware of your cyber-surroundings and who you are talking to, you should be able to safely enjoy social networking online. It will take many phone conversations to get to know someone, but you really won't be able to make a clear judgment until you can meet each other in person.  Just use common sense and listen to your inner voice; it will tell you when something doesn't feel right about the online conversations taking place.
Once you are well informed and comfortable with your findings, you can begin your search from hundreds of networking communities to join. This can easily be done by performing a standard internet search. Your search will likely return a number of results, including MySpace, FriendWise, FriendFinder, Yahoo! 360, Facebook, Orkut, and Classmates. 

Friday, January 21, 2011

NO PLAN TO SELL OR GO PUBLICS FOR TWITTER.

LAS VEGAS: Twitters, which has fended off several buyers, intends to remain an independent company and not considering going public at the moment , said chief executive, Dick Costolo.
      " My sincere hope is for Twitter to be a succesful independent company," Costolo said at conference organised by Technology blog AllThingsD.com on the sidelines of the consumer Electronics show in Las Vegas.
     " We've accomplished 1% of what we're set out to do and we have all this crazy potential," he said of the micro-blogging service which has attracted more than 175 million users since it was launched in 2006.
      Asked about a potential initial public offering (IPO), Costolo said," I just don't think about it". Costolo built and sold two companies, notably Feedburned, acquired by Google, before joining Twitter.
      A potential IPO by Twitter comes as another privatery held social networking gaint, facebook may be forced to go public next year because of an increase in the number of employees and investors holding shares in the company- AFP

SUNDAY STAR,  9 JANUARY 2011
world page 41

INVESTIGATORS DEMAND WIKILEAK'S ACCOUNT DETAILS AND MESSAGERS. US WANTS TWITTER TO 'SING'

London: Wikileak's twitter account details have been subpoenaed by US officials, the secret-spilling site announced, adding that it suspected  other American Internet  Companies were also being asked to hand over information about it activities.
        In an e-mail statement, wikileak's said that US investigators had gone to the San Francisco- based Twitter Inc. to demand the private messagers, contact information and other personal detail of founder Julian Assanger and three people associated with the secret-spilling website.
       Wikileak's blasted the court order saying it amounted to harassment.
        " If the Iranian goverment was to attemp to coercively obtain this information from journalists and activist of foreign nations, human right groups around the world would speak out," Assange said in a statement.
          A copy of the court order, date Dec 14 and posted to salon.Com , said that the information sought was  "relevant to an ongoing criminal investigation" and ordered Twitter not to disclose its existence to Assange or any of the other targeted.
        The order was unsealed " thanks to legal action by Twitter," Wikileak's said its statement. Twitter has declined comment on the claim, saying only that its policy is to notify, its users, where possible of goverment requests for information.
        US  officials have been examining possible charges against wikileaks and its staff following a series of spectacular leaks which have embarrassed officials and tarnished Washington's image. The US state Department has said that the Website's latest leak- the disclosure of thousand of confidentail diplomatic cables-has harmed us diplomacy and could  put human right activist and others at risk.
      Wikileaks denies that charge, saying that Washington is acting out of embassment over the revelation contained in the cables- AP

  SUNDAY STAR , 9 JANUARY 2011
  world page 38

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

THE MEANING OF SOCIAL NETWORK


social network service is an online service, platform, or site that focuses on building and reflecting of social networks or social relations among people, e.g., who share interests and/or activities. A social network service essentially consists of a representation of each user (often a profile), his/her social links, and a variety of additional services. Most social network services are web based and provide means for users to interact over the internet, such as e-mail and instant messaging. Although online community services are sometimes considered as a social network service. In a broader sense, social network service usually means an individual-centered service whereas online community services are group-centered. Social networking sites allow users to share ideas, activities, events, and interests within their individual networks.