Social Networking Websites - A Fair Playing Field For All? Part 1 Of 2
By Dr Peter J D Scott

An increasing number of people aged 60 and over have turned to the internet for more than just e-mail. Often encouraged by their children and grandchildren, they bought computers with the express aim of basic communication via e mail, but now join the increasing ranks of users adopting the internet as a means of social exchange. Not content with the convenience of e-mails, they have embraced instant messaging services such as MSN and Yahoo Messenger, while subscribing to social networking sites such as Bebo, MySpace, StumbleUpon, Facebook, Yuwie and WAYN.

The internet is the ideal medium by which to mingle youth, experience, culture and enthusiasm. The modus operandi of social networking sites varies somewhat but each presents the opportunity for the user to build an individual and unique web page containing contact details, interests, photographs and a place for comments. All require a valid e-mail address and most request age as proof of identification. Having registered basic details, users may invite their friends or, in many instances, the site offers other people as prospective friends based on common interests, location and age. All incorporate messaging of some sort, enabling ready communication between individuals and groups. Virtually all generate revenue by site advertising; it is also possible that the more unscrupulous operators sell personal information.

The increasing variety of social networking sites has different aims and aspirations. Facebook, one of the more established social networking sites, was originally aimed at college students and quickly built up vast networks. In 2006 it opened its networks to everybody with no third-level affiliation necessary. More controversial was the decision by Facebook to expand their commercial horizons, allowing more aggressive advertising based around members' interests and activities. There was also objection to allowing the general public access and Facebook responded by increasing privacy options.

Microsoft Corporation have two principal social network facets; MSN messenger, the most popular message service amongst pre-teens and teenagers and Windows Live Spaces, offering similar services to Facebook. A recent innovation by new arrival Yuwie is payment to members, depending upon recruitment and popularity. The software keeps a record of usage and rewards users whose friends enroll more subscribers with small payment. The bribe has obviously worked and they claim to enroll about 1000 new member per day but users will not get more than about $1 per month unless they have thousands of network friends.

WAYN (Where are you now?) was aimed at connecting old school friends and initially offered free subscription (like most services) but in 2006 introduced higher membership tiers based on payment. Non-paying members had some features disabled, such as the ability to see who had viewed your site. This change obviously backfired since in 2007 WAYN reintroduced such features to non-paying members. The decision not only reflected on increasing free competition, but undoubtedly led to a reduction in WAYN members.

StumbleUpon mixes some features of existing sites; not only does it allow communication through messaging but it readily encourages members to find and post new websites. These sites can then be seen on that person's home page and, like many social networking sites, also notifies friends of recent changes. The concept is to allow users with specific interests to build bookmarks and broaden web interest; still photographs and simple gif image files may also be posted.

In part two I examine the problems for senior citizens in particular.

http://www.hidden-italy.com
http://www.hidden-dublin.com
http://www.dur.ac.uk/p.j.d.scott/cheaprailtickets.html

A musicologist by profession, Dr Scott writes two travel guides in his spare time. _Hidden Dublin_ contains over 200 unique pages, giving advice and tips of many aspects of his native Dublin (Ireland). _Hidden Italy_ is a more recent venture, offering an alternative look at regional Italy. He was awarded his PhD by the University of Durham, UK in 2005 and also holds the Associateship of the Royal College of Organists diploma.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dr_Peter_J_D_Scott
http://EzineArticles.com/?Social-Networking-Websites—A-Fair-Playing-Field-For-All?-Part-1-Of-2&id=965421