Traverse City Record-Eagle

Ryan Peters

Related Photos

August 26, 2009

Ryan Peters: Communications hubs

By RYAN PETERS

Social networking sites like MySpace and Facebook are communicative and convenient, but can they do even more? Some of these Web sites, although they've been around awhile now, are still worth taking notice of as they continue to grow at tremendous user rates.

The two largest networking sites are Facebook and MySpace. In early 2008 Facebook passed MySpace (22.6 million users) with 25.2 million active users, according to comScore research.

MySpace is designed as an interactive media platform for users to communicate and share talents. Facebook focuses more on an intuitive communication network for friends and peers around the world.

Communication is great. Users can stay in touch with the important and trusted people in their lives. It makes it easier to plan a Saturday kite boarding experiment or showcase vocal talents. From city living to rural areas, keeping in touch is becoming effortless.

Communities should have a user-friendly way to sign up their regional networks on Facebook. Traverse City does not have a regional network; the closest one is in Grand Rapids. But it would be a great benefit that would serve as another community tool to improve communication and regional recognition for Traverse City.

Cooperatives are being used in this challenging economy to bring people together and keep costs down. Similarly, social networks are a great communication hub to organize regional events and activities. Listening to the needs of the friends around us is what inspires "smart growth." Equally emphasized is the ability to utilize community creativity through these smart platforms for music and other artistic collaborations.

The interesting part of Facebook is that advertising is limited. This is very good news. However, I believe social networks should also focus on protecting trusted users from sneaky viruses. Viral marketing campaigns such as the YouTube virus can have a negative effect on Web traffic, not to mention on our computers. Hopefully, social networking platforms will become more secure.

A respected investment firm in San Francisco conducted a recent study that analyzed Web site traffic relative to advertising trends on television, computers and mobile cell phones. It offered some insight into the media's electronic footprint.

The summary concluded that advertising dollars spent don't always drive customer spending in consumer markets, although it has a surprisingly strong correlation. As we know, sales and strong business cases do. The research provided a good dashboard to the evolving locations of consumer information. It concluded that personal digital assistants (PDAs) like cell phones will be the driving growth sector to deliver information to the consumer.

Communicating among consumers and friends will continue to become more handy.

Apple is positioned accordingly with its iPhone. Also reacting to these market trends is UK-based 3 Company or "3."

3 is banking on social networks to drive their distribution by launching the new INQ1 or "the Facebook Phone." Both phones are designed to interface with Skype, a voice over internet protocol (VoIP) application. This is interesting because in-Skype calls are free anywhere, combined with the reality that Facebook's user base continues to grow. But it's important to note emergency calls cannot be made on Skype and it requires WiFi.

A Facebook-type model could become a recognized gateway for a "Phonebook with a Face" for our generations and around the world.

Ryan Peters is a technology journalist who can be found online at http://contactryan.wordpress.com

Text Only