By Brandon Wenberg and Crystal Walker
What is Social Software
The term Social Software refers to a range of webenabled software programs that allow users to interact and work collaboratively with other users. It includes the ability to browse, search, invite friends to connect and interact, share film reviews, comments, blog entries, favorites, discussions, events, videos, ratings, music, classified ads, tag and classify information and more.
Nature of Social Networking
Examples of Social Software: My Space Facebook Flickr Blogs Wikis Second Life Ebay IM (ICQ, Skype, AOL) Geocities.com Digg Role Playing Games Linked-In
Motivations for Social Networking
• Anticipated Reciprocity - contribute valuable information; expect that one will receive useful help and information in return • Increased Recognition - individuals want recognition for their contributions • Sense of efficacy – contributors believe that they have had some effect on this environment or community
MySpace
• MySpace is an organized online community where users can personalize their interests and activities on the Web.
Keys for Online Safety
• Encourage conversation about MySpace with staff, faculty, students, and patrons • Do not publicly post your full name, address, phone number, IM, hangouts, etc. Remember, these are public spaces • MySpace members must be 14 years of age or older People should not lie about their age, but the fact is—they do • Change passwords often • Do not post anything that you don’t want others to see or know • Harassment, hate speech and inappropriate content should be reported
Keys for Online Safety
• Beware of Phishing – (Phishing is a method used by fraudsters to try to get your personal information, such as your username and password, by pretending to be a site you trust. ) • Always look at the URL of the page you are directed to login to make sure that it stays in MySpace, prior to login • People are not always who they say they are. Be careful about adding strangers to your friends list; remember, it is OK to deny a friend request
MySpace Resources
• MySpace Safety http://www.myspace.com/Modules/Common/Pages /SafetyTips.aspx • MySpace FAQ http://www.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=m isc.faq • MySpace Privacy http://www.myspace.com/Modules/Common/Pages /Privacy.aspx • MySpace Terms and Conditions http://www.myspace.com/Modules/Common/Pages /TermsConditions.aspx