Microsoft launches a Social Search Network.

 

How many is too many? Another social network? With Facebook hogging up most of the Internet and Google+ attempting to keep up with it and competing to try to be number one what does Microsoft due(Gross, 2012, p.1)? They go and make a “social search” network called So.cl. This network is used by people to share information and to search for people that share common interests with you. Microsoft said"So.cl is an experimental research project focused on the future of social experiences and learning, especially among younger people"(Gross, 2012, p.1). One thing it isn’t is Microsoft’s way of competing with Facebook if there is one thing that So.cl doesn’t want is to be named another one of Facebook’s rivals.

Is MySpace dead?

           Do people still even use Myspace? MySpace is a social network where you can keep in touch with friend or family, you can make an artist page to make it as a famous artist/musician,band, you can make it as a comedian, you could meet new people, and listen to music. (S.Hansell, 2009, p. n.d). Plenty of people who have MySpace have moved on to another social network, we all know as Facebook. MySpace no longer assigns you Tom as your first friend when you sign up, and the man hasn’t logged into the site since January 24. (P.Villarreal, 2010, p. n.d). MySpace use to be the number one social network until Facebook came along. 
           On MySpace you had to learn how to put html codes onto your profile to make it look cool. That was mostly everyone’s favorite part about MySpace, it showed off your personality. If you liked the color pink, your profile would mostly be pink. MySpace was purchased in 2005 for $580 million by Rupert Murdoch creator of a media empire that includes 20th Century Fox and the Fox Television stations (C.Lorentz, 2012, p. n.d). MySpace was sold for $35 million to Specific Media (J.Lowensohn, 2011, p. n.d). Not plenty of people use MySpace anymore. You don’t have to read that to know MySpace is pretty much done. You’ve likely noticed that all your friends and family moved over to Facebook and that more and more companies stopped using MySpace in their promotions. All the commercials, marking material,they all now only show Facebook and Twitter, maybe YouTube sometimes.

Should You Use Google+?

Have you considered Google+? or Are you just like everyone one else using Facebook? Why don’t you branch out and try something new? Unlike Facebook, Google+ has doesn’t have way too many features like Facebook does and there aren’t as many privacy concerns. From what I have read, Google+ it is much easier to control and much more easier to understand than Facebook(Michael Martine, 2011, p.1). Many people think Facebook is becoming way too overrated and it can get a bit on the boring side. If you are one of those people, why not try an alternative to Facebook?
Do you think Google+ is going to replace Facebook? Will Facebook turn out to be just like MySpace?

Should Twitter Be Censored?

            Twitter is a real-time information network that connects you to the latest stories, ideas, opinions and news about what you find interesting. It’s the fastest, simplest way to stay close to everything you care about. Twitter announces it will be able to censor tweets on a country-by-country basis. In the article “Should Twitter Be Censored?” Tierney Sneed writes tweeters are not satisfied, they are organizing a boycott of Twitter (T.Sneed, 2012, p. n.d). People who have Twitter, are upset that they are taking away their free to speech. But Twitter sees the censorship tool as a way to ensure individual messages, or tweets, remain available to as many people as possible while it navigates a gauntlet of different laws around the world (Twitter able to censor tweets in individual countries, 2012, p. n.d). Twitter will post a censorship notice whenever a tweet is removed. That is similar to what internet search engine Google has been doing for years when a law in a country where its service operates requires a search result to be removed.
            Is it really a good idea to have Twitter censored? Twitter has one-hundred-seventy-five million registered users (N.Carlson, 2011, p. n.d). On Twitter you can post anything you want, you can find so much information about what’s going on with society. Having twitter censored would be safe for some people. A lot of drama starts on social networking, so why not decrease it? Although, everyone is entitled to freedom of speech, is it right for twitter to be censored?

Facebook vs. Google+

Facebook is the number one popular social network for all ages. (Banks, Facebook is most popular, 2011) However, Google+ has been trying to compete with them to become number one. There are over 750 million users and counting active on Facebook. (Kincaid, Facebook now has 750 million Users, 2011) While Google+ has 62 million users. (Allen, Google+, 2011) Google+ has bought a photo editing called “Picnik” to attract people to join their site. To stay on top, Facebook has bought the most recent number one app called “Instagram” The only thing you can’t do on instagram is post pictures on Google+.
           Facebook is the best, most ingenious social media network since MySpace. It blows both Twitter and Google Plus out of the water with its technological capabilities. (Gandara, Why Facebook Is the Best Social Network, 2011) Google Plus is more private. You can even separate your friends, family, and co-workers into different categories on things you talk about and post. Everyone around the world can use Facebook and its great catching up with friends, playing games, keeping in touch with family, and it’s easy to you.

What do Google+ and Facebook have in Common?

Facebook and Google+’s profile format are pretty similar. On both profiles they allow you to upload a picture of yourself, put your name and nickname, where you went to school, where you work, and it includes a little info box for you to add additional information. There are additional spaces for you to upload pictures and videos and a spot for your friend’s list. Google+ and Facebook both have methods of “liking” things(Horowitz, The Huffington Post, 2011). Google+ has a +1 button while Facebook has the “like” button. They are a little different but they both have the same concept. Google+ and Facebook both allow you to post a status or share a picture or video in a place where your friends can view it and leave a comment on iT(Horowitz, The Huffington Post, 2011). Google+’s stream and Facebook’s News Feed are almost identical. They both have the same concept just like the +1 and “like” button. It allows you to view your friend’s recent updates and comment on them if you would like.
I’m going to end this post with a quick question to the few viewers that we do get. Do you think Google+ is way too similar to Facebook and do you think Google should stay out of the social media?

The problem with Social Networking

  


  Plenty of people have a type of social media network, whether it’s Facebook, Google+, or even twitter. Social Networking is great for recognition, relationships, resources, and referrals. (DeAndrea, The Necessity of Social Networking, 2009) You can reconnect with old friends and family, see what’s happening around the world, great for getting your business out there. Social networking sites bring people with common interests together. It also helps children become more familiar with computers and related technology. Social media can be a powerful tool for social change and an alternative to more traditional methods of communication. 
      However people don’t look at the downside of having a social networking site. Social Networking isn’t safe for children. (Social Networking for kids: Is It Safe?, 2011) People spend more time online and less time interacting face-to-face. Teens may not be aware that the information they post is public and that photos and text can still be retrieved even after deleted. Social networking sites have no way to verify that people are who they claim to be. In recent years, a series of bullying-related suicides in the US and across the globe have drawn attention to the connection between bullying and suicide, which occurs on social networks. (Natale, Bullying and Suicide,2012). Are social networks worth it? 
   

Differences between Facebook and Google Social Media

Facebook was created by Mark Zuckenburg just six years ago and it is currently the number one social networking website. (Sharma, Difference between Google Plus and Facebook 2012). Google is one of the most popular search engines. Google has now offered an alternative to Facebook with Google Plus(Sharma, Difference between Google Plus and Facebook, 2012). Facebook has over 750 million users and growing. Google Plus has 62 million users and growing. Google Plus has Circles which allows you to group your friends and Hangouts which allows you to video chat with up to more than one person at the same time( Comparing the Difference between things, 2012). Facebook only allows you to video chat with one person. There are two other differences between Facebook and Google Plus. Google Plus has Huddle which allows you to set up a group chat with a circle while you have to create a group on Facebook to have a group chat and Google Plus has Instant Upload which uploads pictures instantly to be shared with a circle (Difference between things, 2012).