Social Networking
It was the summer of 2005 on the open road from California to Texas. In a blue SUV rode five freshly graduated high school seniors. For me, the trip to commemorate our high school years was a bitter sweet one; I was moving to San Antonio shortly after we arrived back from California. Bitter sweet because at the time, I knew I would probably never speak to or hear from anyone, other than my close friends, again. I knew I would never speak to or hear from any of the girls that we met on the beach ever again (especially bitter). Then in August of that same year I discover myspace.com. So much for goodbyes. (Why, hello again beach girl). Then came Facebook for me a little later. It looked allot more "cleaner" than MySpace and I just felt more comfortable using it. Now there is this Google +. I am interested not only in social networking, but , why and how Google + will compete with Facebook. MySpace got pretty cheap and "ghetto", so I see the obvious rationale for the facebook transition. Facebook has maintained a "clean" and very popular image. It has even be legitimized into being "acceptable" to have an account by various sources ("follow us on facebook") e.g. CNN, Fox News. It has a movie made after it. I think we should all be asking Google+ why mess with a good thing? What's better about you? What do you have that Facebook lacks? Why should we waste time in creating an account and "finding" friends and uploading pictures all over again?
The downfall of myspace was not something that I saw coming because myspace was so powerful. It advertised movies, people would say "myspace me" before they now say "facebook me." Tom was someone that everyone knew, but facebook just completely knocked out myspace, and it wasn't even a fight. Facebook will go down in the records as something that changed culture, as will google. Facebook has a movie about it, then won awards, facebook cannot be stopped.
ReplyDeleteI use facebook all the time and I dont think Google + has any chance. Facebook has become too popular and is one of the major ways that people communicate over the internet. From movies to being used by celebrities Facebook is a worldwide social network that has everything Google + and is already established.
ReplyDeleteI have to disagree with what Justin said. I feel like even though Google+ and Facebook are both considered Social Networks but I personally think that Google+ is geared to a complete different group of people and it hasn't been public yet the people who have Google+ now are the "innovators, explorers" and people who love technology. I personally find Google+'s format refreshing and I see tons of potentials. One of the thing I like is the "Hangout" spot for people and I fee like that could be used by businesses/client meetings, another thing I also find good about Google+ is that you can limit what you share to different "circles". Regardless, it's always nice to see new social networks emerge and what they have to bring to the table.
ReplyDeleteAnnie Song
Nowadays, facebook is far, very far, from "clean". There is so much clutter and junk mail and spam that it is ridiculous! And i'm sure most of us have racked up so many friends, that we don't even know who our "friends" are! And let's not get too deep into facebooks privacy settings. Many have lost their jobs thinking that their profile and statuses can only be seen by their friends, when facebook randomly changes your privacy settings. Google + could be a fresh, clean start to only network with business prospects and friends. If all of my friends decided to join Google + I would definitely sign up! (but still keep facebook since the majority of friends and family may still use it)
ReplyDeleteIn the end I honestly believe just as MySpace, we will all be moving on to a new social networking website. I say this because our society is based off competition. There will always be something bigger, better, and there is always a new trend. To go as far and say it will be possibly Google + is a stretch.
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ReplyDeleteSocial media has really continued the inter-connectedness of the world. Connecting with family, friends and businesses is what it's all about. While I did have a myspace for a short time period, the site was always slow to load and not very user friendly in my experience. With Google+ now out and with over 20 million subscribers in such a short period of time, it will be interesting to see how it will compete against Facebook. Google+ is being adapted by the Innovators and Early Adopters at this point. As Google tests and expands their social media network I'll be anxious to give it shot and see Google's take on "Circles" and "Friends."
ReplyDeleteI find that Facebook is full of scams and viruses. It’s impossible to log on and not see a video of a spider coming out of a women’s leg posted by a friend whose account was hacked. MySpace on the other hand was very cluttered and so disorganized I never really knew what to do with it. I think that’s why people like Twitter so much. Sure, there’s not much to do on there, but you still get the ability to communicate with friends, view pictures, and get updates on what they’re doing throughout the day. However, just like Twitter, I believe the future of Google+ relies on the number of celebrities that join the network.
ReplyDeleteMelissa Almaraz
Social Networking is very important to people whom like to socialize especially with old friends. I also joined Facebook in 2005 but later adopted Myspace. I found old friends from elementary I thought I would never see again on Facebook. I love meeting new people that's why I major in Communication. The comments I receive back from the thoughts I post. I know tons of funny people. I'm now on twitter so if you have an account go follow me: @BAdaGREAT.
ReplyDeleteBrian "B.A." Adams
It's hard to believe any new social network will surpass Facebook. I think the ease of use and organization made Facebook basically eliminate MySpace. We didn't have to play around with html or the various amounts of customization. Facebook is not only all about social networking but it has become a huge asset in the business aspect in the field of marketing/advertising. Looking deeper into this "company," it's a bit ridiculous to know that it shares and may play significant role in our economy. Assuming the creators and developers are intelligent enough to know that they have to keep evolving and inventing to compete with prospective competitors, Facebook may be the social network that will survive in this trend following world.
ReplyDelete-Elizabeth Tan
I also had a myspace starting off and recently in the past two years I have gotten a facebook account. I found out about a year ago that facebook had been around for a much longer time. I do agree with the whole Google thing. I don't see any point in having to add new friends and pictures etc to a whole new account unless it is ridiculously better than facebook. for now, I think I'm going to just be a loyal facebook user.
ReplyDeleteMegan Nash