Complexity and Social Networks Blog

I've been a user of both social networking sites for years now, and I've watched Facebook go from a no-fun simple "Classmates"-esque framework (where the coolest thing to do was post on the Wall of others) to a fully interactive, powerful, yet still "professional" social networking site.

What's the difference between Facebook and MySpace? MySpace is still not-quite-Web 2.0: it has the feel of personalized web pages, with garish user-defined backgrounds, possibly awful music upon entrance, flashing banner ads, and top-bar Web 1.0-like navigation.

I think this is what's going to define the future relative success of Facebook, at bottom. Which is better to view on a small device (iPod or phone)? Facebook. And in a few years, nearly everyone will have a device and wireless plan which includes net browsing (the capability exists today, of course, but Joe Schmoe doesn't usually have browsing included on his plan, or a phone that's optimized for net navigation).

I enjoyed reading this post. It's funny you mention the demographic for Face Book changing. We frequent various forums, blogs, etc. concerning social media and my perception is that the younger generation that uses Face Book is not happy by the recent invasion of the "Older Crowd".

Thanks,

Chris Turnquist

Both social network sites Facebook and MySpace are both giants in the social media arena. It is true that Facebook is on a roll and it is doing a better job then MySpace, in my opinion. However, being the owner of a small international social network web site and doing a lot of home work on the giants in the social network playing field, I have learned that even though both Facebook and MySpace have the numbers, they both have issues with personal abuse, and intimacy. I and others have been fed viruses and Trojans from MySpace, as well as the child endangerment and abductions. Facebook on the other hand is too clickish, among other things. My point, I know that the purpose of this blog is a comparison of Facebook and MySpace but, I needed to point out that there a lot of internet users looking for a smaller close nit social group, creating an opportunity for smaller and more intimate social network webpage’s to spring up and get a small percentage of social media market pot.

Facebook and MySpace hae both achieved a critical mass that should see them continue profitably into the future. The questions I have are;
Will they both survive, and
What will the next annoying "trend" be on the net?

Enjoyed you blog :)