Are you into social networking?

[Torsten]

Social networking seems to be the latest Internet craze and I'd be interested to hear how many of those sites you know? I mean, it's probably not easy to get the definitions straight -- but what I mean by 'online social networking services' are brands like Facebook, LinkedIN or MySpace.

I'm asking because I've only recently learned that three students in Germany were able to raise 10 Million Euros in venture capital to launch yet another social network for students, it's very much like a German version of Facebook. The amazing (or crazy) thing about it is that more than 15.000! students have been registering with that site every single day almost right from the start. Crazy, isn't it?

So, what are you experiences with social networks on the Internet? Have you tried any of them?
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[prezbucky]

What is the purpose of the Internet social network?

Are you simply talking about chat rooms (probably not)... or do you mean to say that it's a means of making friends over the 'net and actually making plans to hang out/hook up etc.?
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[Torsten]

Yes Tom, I'm referring to sites where you can create a profile, upload photos, describe yourself and 'build your own network'. Sites like Hi5 etc. A chat and a forum might be one of the features of that site. Ever used them?
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[prezbucky]

Not that I remember, no, I haven't used a site like that. Thanks for the info, Torsten.
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[maxspeed]

Here in Turkiye i use www.cember.net .it is a huge social networking site which come together many white-collar workers.Site members have the oppportunity to know each other and talk about their businesses and improve their career or business with seeing new opportunities and relations.Career profiles is the key point in that site people highligt their careers to help or to be helped.I am curious about if there is a social network like that in English.

[Torsten]

Hi Maxspeed,

The largest Internet working sites are offering their services in English as well as other languages. For example, LinkedIN.com has more than 9 million users who communicate in English, it's probably the largest professional network worldwide. When it comes to networking, it makes perfect sense to use English so you can connect with people from around the world. I'm sure Cember.net is a great website but if you are limited to meeting Turkish speaking professionals you might not get very far. Maybe you have heard of Orkut B?y?kk?kten, a Turkish programmer and Google employee? He founded Orkut.com, social network service that is owned and run by Google. The largest sites of this kind are in English: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_social_networking_websites

As you can see there are quite a number of sites that show millions of members. However, it's hard to say what exactly that means. After all, the vast majority of 'members' are inactive. They register for free, create a profile by typing a few words and then leave.

Let me know what you think,
Torsten
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[maxspeed]

Torsten Thanks a lot.I have singed up to linkedin but unfortunately i couln't find anybody from Turkey.I am also a member of 43things and like it very much,people help each other to achieve their goals.To see people who share my goals makes me motivated.

[Torsten]

Hi Maxspeed, it's great to hear you have signed up LinkedIN, maybe now that you are the first member from Turkey many of fellow country folks will follow suit. As for 43things, I also think it's a very good concept and I'm amazed at how fast the word can be spread on the Internet. I mean, isn't it interesting that both of us have heard of and used 43things?
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