The globalisation of social networks has prospered at a dramatic rate as technology such as the internet, Web 2.0 and wireless technology continue to develop. Social networking is a phenomenon defined by the linking and building of relationships between individuals and specific groups that typically share a commonality. In the study of social network theory, individuals are often referred to as nodes or agents. The notion of social networking has always existed, but it is evident that technology has advanced our networking methods. The consistency in technological development has additionally broadened our approach in promoting innovation, information sharing, communication, interaction and the building of relationships amongst social networking agents.
Web 2.0 refers to the second generation of the internet. The terminology emerged in 2004, and has been used to describe the array of online activities and applications available today. Web 2.0 applications instigate a range of characteristics: it exploits communal intelligence, offers network-enabled interactive services, grant users the facility to manage their own data and they regularly develop tailored services for individual needs. ‘Participatory web’ is another phrase used to portray Web 2.0. It highlights the ‘open’ approach reflected in the development of website content. Traditional websites are published with ‘read-only’ content and are often posted by an authorised owner. With this latest internet generation, websites have become more dynamic in the sense that users are now able to partially or entirely contribute to the published content. Many analysts, marketers and stakeholders in the technological fields have joined the new generation of internet applications. Some great examples of Web 2.0 applications include: wikis, podcasts, review sites, blogs and social networking websites. These types of websites aim to facilitate creativity and collaboration among users.
Wikipedia is a classic example of collaborative information. ‘Wiki’ refers to server software that permits users to liberally create and edit web page content via any web browser, and ‘pedia’ is associated with the idea of encyclopaedias. Wikipedia is a free reference website that possesses a wealthy collection of resources. It is a collaboration of information obtained from the knowledge and intelligence of its users. Those who volunteer to contribute do not require specialised qualifications to published content; however, they are required to conform to Wikipedia’s editing policies. They may also be from any age, culture or social group to be able to write articles, add information, cross-reference and insert citations. Research shows that more than 75,000 people actively contribute to more than 10,000,000 articles in more than 250 languages. These statistics underlines the considerable level of collaboration promoted through the notions of information sharing and learning within a network. The collective knowledge and intelligence attained through the efforts of collaboration has produced a significant array of information, which becomes a valuable source for the community to work as a team and expand their knowledge.
Social networking websites are applications that falls under the Web 2.0 umbrella. These websites have become tremendously popular in the past five years. Starting off as a niche activity, social networking websites has flourished and engaged tens of millions of internet users. Unlike traditional websites, they are developed to facilitate user interaction, content creation and self expression. The proliferation of popular websites such as MySpace, Facebook and LinkedIn are designed to act as platforms for the online population to interact and build social networks. Jason Ling who is the head of mobile products and technology for MySpace refers to social networking websites as ‘portals’ for basic human interaction. These ‘portals’ foster the formation of private networks and also permits users to interact with public networks.
Some social networking websites are primarily developed to reflect the needs of a specific market. LinkedIn is a social networking website which focuses on professional networks, and is mainly used for career and business purposes. Users are able to develop their personal identity, read profiles of other members and connect with them through publicly displayed networks. LinkedIn aspires to assist its members to expand their career prospects and establish further business contacts.
Social networking has become a popular activity in ‘cyperspace’. Individuals are able to stay in touch with current friends, reconnect with old friends and create real-life friendships. The two most appealing elements that online social networking offers is:
1. The ability to connect and communicate with others
2. The opportunity to express one’s self through content creation.
These online social networking portals allow users to expose themselves to the world, collaborate and build social networks and communities with just clicks of the button.
Predictions on future social networking technology trust that ultra network computers and other mobile devices will drive the next generation of online social networking. Jason Ling from MySpace discusses the ‘portable social network’ where individuals are able to access social networking websites via mobile internet devices.
Studies conducted in February 2007 showed that 34 percent of internet users have logged onto the internet via a wireless connection either with their laptops, handheld personal digital assistants (PDA), mobile phones or with other ultra portable network computers. ‘Wireless’ refers to an internet connection via a mobile or wifi network where users have the provision to access the internet through a wireless connection; whether it be from home, work or another location that provides a wireless network service. Wireless connections have become popular in many social networks due to the factors of mobility and convenience for certain lifestyles. Individuals who require regular access to email and information for their demanding careers will tend to use wireless technology. The key feature of wireless technology is ‘connectivity’, which is the ability to connect to information at any location or site twenty-four hours a day. Surveys revealed that wireless internet users rose twenty percent between January 2005 and December 2006. Manual Castells, the communications professor refers to this phenomenon as ‘relentless connectivity. It is an expression that highlights the growing reliance and strong engagement humans have with the Internet. Wireless technology and connectivity is indeed on the rise.
The growth of global connectivity through the constant development of technology signifies an increase in communication and information flows within the global network. Although social networking technology is still in its early stages it is expected that the potentials for communication will continue to expand. Current technologies have already embraced the idea of portable connectivity. This will further promote innovation, information sharing, communication, interaction and the building of relationships within the global network.
References:
Liz Tay (June 11, 2008),
Social networking not just a Gen Y ‘thing’.
from http://www.itnews.com.au/news/78059,social-networking-not-just-a-gen-y-%E2%80%98thing%E2%80%99.aspx
Associate Director John Horrigan (February, 2007),
Wireless Internet Access
from http://www.pewinternet.org/pdfs/pip_wireless.use.pdf
Ismael Pena-lopez (November 11, 2006),
Mobile Communication And Society: Interview With Mireia Fernandez-Ardevol, Coauthor.
from http://ictlogy.net/20061128-mobile-communication-and-society-interview-with-mireia-fernandez-ardevol-coauthor
Social Networking Websites Review 2008
from http://social-networking-websites-review.toptenreviews.com/
Mary Madden and Sussannah Fox (October 6, 2006),
Riding the Waves of “Web 2.0”
from http://www.pewinternet.org/pdfs/PIP_Web_2.0.pdf
BBC News (February 26, 2007),
Wireless users ‘do more online’
from http://news.bbc.co.uk/nolpda/ukfs_news/hi/newsid_6396000/6396665.stm
Manual Castells (September, 1999),
Information Technology, Globalisation and Social Development.
United Nations Research Institute for Social Development
from http://www.unrisd.org/80256B3C005BCCF9/(httpAuxPages)/F270E0C066F3DE7780256B67005B728C/$file/dp114.pdf
Web 2.0 refers to the second generation of the internet. The terminology emerged in 2004, and has been used to describe the array of online activities and applications available today. Web 2.0 applications instigate a range of characteristics: it exploits communal intelligence, offers network-enabled interactive services, grant users the facility to manage their own data and they regularly develop tailored services for individual needs. ‘Participatory web’ is another phrase used to portray Web 2.0. It highlights the ‘open’ approach reflected in the development of website content. Traditional websites are published with ‘read-only’ content and are often posted by an authorised owner. With this latest internet generation, websites have become more dynamic in the sense that users are now able to partially or entirely contribute to the published content. Many analysts, marketers and stakeholders in the technological fields have joined the new generation of internet applications. Some great examples of Web 2.0 applications include: wikis, podcasts, review sites, blogs and social networking websites. These types of websites aim to facilitate creativity and collaboration among users.
Wikipedia is a classic example of collaborative information. ‘Wiki’ refers to server software that permits users to liberally create and edit web page content via any web browser, and ‘pedia’ is associated with the idea of encyclopaedias. Wikipedia is a free reference website that possesses a wealthy collection of resources. It is a collaboration of information obtained from the knowledge and intelligence of its users. Those who volunteer to contribute do not require specialised qualifications to published content; however, they are required to conform to Wikipedia’s editing policies. They may also be from any age, culture or social group to be able to write articles, add information, cross-reference and insert citations. Research shows that more than 75,000 people actively contribute to more than 10,000,000 articles in more than 250 languages. These statistics underlines the considerable level of collaboration promoted through the notions of information sharing and learning within a network. The collective knowledge and intelligence attained through the efforts of collaboration has produced a significant array of information, which becomes a valuable source for the community to work as a team and expand their knowledge.
Social networking websites are applications that falls under the Web 2.0 umbrella. These websites have become tremendously popular in the past five years. Starting off as a niche activity, social networking websites has flourished and engaged tens of millions of internet users. Unlike traditional websites, they are developed to facilitate user interaction, content creation and self expression. The proliferation of popular websites such as MySpace, Facebook and LinkedIn are designed to act as platforms for the online population to interact and build social networks. Jason Ling who is the head of mobile products and technology for MySpace refers to social networking websites as ‘portals’ for basic human interaction. These ‘portals’ foster the formation of private networks and also permits users to interact with public networks.
Some social networking websites are primarily developed to reflect the needs of a specific market. LinkedIn is a social networking website which focuses on professional networks, and is mainly used for career and business purposes. Users are able to develop their personal identity, read profiles of other members and connect with them through publicly displayed networks. LinkedIn aspires to assist its members to expand their career prospects and establish further business contacts.
Social networking has become a popular activity in ‘cyperspace’. Individuals are able to stay in touch with current friends, reconnect with old friends and create real-life friendships. The two most appealing elements that online social networking offers is:
1. The ability to connect and communicate with others
2. The opportunity to express one’s self through content creation.
These online social networking portals allow users to expose themselves to the world, collaborate and build social networks and communities with just clicks of the button.
Predictions on future social networking technology trust that ultra network computers and other mobile devices will drive the next generation of online social networking. Jason Ling from MySpace discusses the ‘portable social network’ where individuals are able to access social networking websites via mobile internet devices.
Studies conducted in February 2007 showed that 34 percent of internet users have logged onto the internet via a wireless connection either with their laptops, handheld personal digital assistants (PDA), mobile phones or with other ultra portable network computers. ‘Wireless’ refers to an internet connection via a mobile or wifi network where users have the provision to access the internet through a wireless connection; whether it be from home, work or another location that provides a wireless network service. Wireless connections have become popular in many social networks due to the factors of mobility and convenience for certain lifestyles. Individuals who require regular access to email and information for their demanding careers will tend to use wireless technology. The key feature of wireless technology is ‘connectivity’, which is the ability to connect to information at any location or site twenty-four hours a day. Surveys revealed that wireless internet users rose twenty percent between January 2005 and December 2006. Manual Castells, the communications professor refers to this phenomenon as ‘relentless connectivity. It is an expression that highlights the growing reliance and strong engagement humans have with the Internet. Wireless technology and connectivity is indeed on the rise.
The growth of global connectivity through the constant development of technology signifies an increase in communication and information flows within the global network. Although social networking technology is still in its early stages it is expected that the potentials for communication will continue to expand. Current technologies have already embraced the idea of portable connectivity. This will further promote innovation, information sharing, communication, interaction and the building of relationships within the global network.
References:
Liz Tay (June 11, 2008),
Social networking not just a Gen Y ‘thing’.
from http://www.itnews.com.au/news/78059,social-networking-not-just-a-gen-y-%E2%80%98thing%E2%80%99.aspx
Associate Director John Horrigan (February, 2007),
Wireless Internet Access
from http://www.pewinternet.org/pdfs/pip_wireless.use.pdf
Ismael Pena-lopez (November 11, 2006),
Mobile Communication And Society: Interview With Mireia Fernandez-Ardevol, Coauthor.
from http://ictlogy.net/20061128-mobile-communication-and-society-interview-with-mireia-fernandez-ardevol-coauthor
Social Networking Websites Review 2008
from http://social-networking-websites-review.toptenreviews.com/
Mary Madden and Sussannah Fox (October 6, 2006),
Riding the Waves of “Web 2.0”
from http://www.pewinternet.org/pdfs/PIP_Web_2.0.pdf
BBC News (February 26, 2007),
Wireless users ‘do more online’
from http://news.bbc.co.uk/nolpda/ukfs_news/hi/newsid_6396000/6396665.stm
Manual Castells (September, 1999),
Information Technology, Globalisation and Social Development.
United Nations Research Institute for Social Development
from http://www.unrisd.org/80256B3C005BCCF9/(httpAuxPages)/F270E0C066F3DE7780256B67005B728C/$file/dp114.pdf
