Saw this article on Brand Republic and it seems that you can't move for new social networking websites springing up. I was chatting to Mike about it all and whilst My Space, Facebook and Bebo etc, etc, etc all spout off about how many millions of users they have I wonder how safe / reliable these numbers are in terms of charting the success of these sites...for instance I've got profiles on all three of the above and hardly use them at all (what am I, 16?!) anyway I keep getting emails from friends who've decided to set themselves up on yet another SN website and who have 'added me'...I can't see why new social networks keep getting setup when the market seems so completely over saturated. I can only look at it from a revenue generation point of view and the only way money can be made is by getting a whole load of millions of users and selling out to Google or similar for only-they-know-what. Granted there have been some massive successes on the back of My Space in particular however why we need so many other identical versions I know not.
The more explosive growth websites about will only serve to drive down advertising revenues for each site as media planners end up with far too much choice. It's interesting to watch but I'd like to know which way it's going to go and who will be left standing. It's like the dot com boom all over again.
Anyway here's the article;
The BBC has unveiled plans to increase its Web 2.0 technology across the BBC Radio 1 website, to include more user generated content, personalised playlists and interactive features, as it builds its web footprint.
The prototype, which will be demonstrated at the MIX07 conference in Las Vegas today, will give an insight into how BBC Radio 1 online would work in the future, as it builds its interactive functions
Under the new technology the site could compete against other commercial offerings, with users able to create an online "badge" or profile of their favourite bands, music, shows and picture playlists, which they can share with friends via Windows Live Messenger service.
BBC Radio 1 said the benefits of using the technology were that it could more accurately reflect listener demands and preferences, and offer "more participatory" online services.
It is understood that BBC Radio 1 online was chosen to test the technology as it provided the best fit for its intended audience, which is expected to comprise listeners and users under the age of 25.
The technology has been developed using Microsoft Silverlight software and the latest Windows Live Messenger application, in conjunction with Siemens, AKQA and Ioko.
The BBC signed a deal with Microsoft in September last year to create a strategic partnership for the corporation's digital strategies. The agreement, which was signed by BBC director-general Mark Thompson and Microsoft chairman Bill Gates, is part of the BBC's development of next-generation technology.
Jason DaPonte, executive producer of www.bbc.co.uk, said: "As the user's online footprint expands, Radio 1 would be able to recognise [people's] tastes and offer them even more of what they like.
"Prototypes such as this illustrate the BBC's commitment to providing online services that are more open, personal and participatory than ever before, using the latest technologies to engage younger audiences.
Wednesday, 2 May 2007
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Interesting points! I used to shy away from MySpace Face book etc. - but for Bohica it's almost a must have, to have a MySpace page and to 'work it'.
What also made me laugh is a friend of mine got his facebook email from a friend about photos and signed up - then was shocked that it had emailed his entire outlook and Hotmail contacts list... then wondered why? I guess it must be hidden somewhere in the "Terms & Conditions" that was ticked and not read..."Please note, we will hassle the crap out of all your friends to also sign up"
...and that's the problem with it; the fact that they grow like wild fire and seem to be massive money earning opportunities but whilst there are benefits I think the fad will die down and leave the big players in a good position to consider what to do to make money but at the moment all they'll be doing is providing eyeballs for their parent companies, in My Space's case this is Fox which is ironic when you consider how many indie bands rely on it and they're using a super corporate fat cat company's platform!!!
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