MySpace's marketing-friendly makeover part of sites' evolving drive to cash in
New York Times Jun 16, 08 10:07 AM CDT
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A makeover planned to begin Wednesday for MySpace is the latest sign of the continued struggle to make social networking the cash cow many thought it would be when News Corp. bought the site three years ago, the New York Times reports. MySpace's user base has grown from 16 million to more than 118 million since—but still falling short of profit targets.
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FriendFeed leads new aggregation services
Financial Times (UK) Jun 10, 08 4:47 PM CDT
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A new kind of open social networking is gaining a foothold with online leaders. “Lifestreaming” services like FriendFeed—launched in February by ex-Google employees—let users bring online social activities from various sources together in one feed. Leader FriendFeed is logging 150,000 visitors a month, but the big players won’t cede ground without a fight, one VC told the Financial Times .
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ANALYSIS
Friend Connect threatens social-networking business model
Washington Post Jun 3, 08 3:35 PM CDT
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Though Facebook cited privacy concerns in pulling the plug on a partnership with Google aimed at making the Web more social, dollar signs are more likely behind its withdrawal from Friend Connect, the Washington Post reports. "What Facebook is after really is control over their users," one analyst says of the threat to the company's advertising hold.
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New generations of grads find keeping in touch easier over web
New York Times Jun 2, 08 2:05 PM CDT
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Once upon a time, the college alumni magazine was an invaluable resource. Keeping up on old friends and enemies was as easy as flipping to the “class notes” section. But that once-mighty column now looks antiquated next to the constant updates offered on Facebook or MySpace, and it’s forcing colleges to rethink their business model, the New York Times reports.
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Site wants to offer easier access to other applications
Forbes May 29, 08 2:44 PM CDT
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Social-networking stalwart Facebook is redesigning its site to allow users easier access to an array of applications that might include search options, Forbes reports, and give advertisers more ways to reach the Facebook community. CEO Mark Zuckerberg, speaking at the All Things Digital conference, said the company hoped to work more with search giant Google.
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OPINION
Isn't 5,000 too many?
Even spuds do well
Washington Post May 23, 08 11:00 AM CDT
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Online social networks such as Facebook and MySpace have altered the meaning of friendship, writes Steven Levy in The Washington Post . Instead of genuine chums, people are collecting hundreds and even thousands of friends without any real-world contact. When it comes to rejecting friend requests, "it's socially awkward, and very hard to draw the line," says one researcher.
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ANALYSIS
Facebook, MySpace pals won't deliver chicken soup when you're sick
Newsweek May 18, 08 6:00 AM CDT
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How many online friends is too many? Facebook insists users can only have 5,000—and that's not enough for some, discovers Stephen Levy in Newsweek. "Who am I to say no to friendship?" asks one user who spends 12 hours a day on Facebook and has a waiting list of 500 would-be pals. Levy even discovers a mere potato on MySpace with 2,695 friends.
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But Zuckerberg stays put, gets veteran help after hitting potholes
CNNMoney May 13, 08 4:13 PM CDT
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Facebook is seeing a lot of challenges lately, with ads selling at rock-bottom prices, revenue not nearly rivaling MySpace, and third-party developers defecting to OpenSocial networks (MySpace, again). But unlike other companies’ young founders, Mark Zuckerberg isn’t about to step aside. And thanks to his tight control of Facebook's board, he’s not about to be pushed out, either, Fortune reports.
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'This is the evolution of the walled garden to the social Web'
Washington Post May 12, 08 3:18 PM CDT
(Newser)
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Google is unveiling a new service that could effectively turn the whole Web into a social network, the Washington Post reports. Friend Connect allows visitors to participating sites to meet and interact with others who visit the same site. "Wherever people go on the Web, they want to have their friends with them, and this makes it possible," says one Google worker.
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Expanding site borrowing $100M for more servers
CNET May 12, 08 6:46 AM CDT
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In a surprise move, Facebook’s Chief Technology Officer is leaving the company, CNET reports. Adam D’Angelo, 23, felt the job no longer suited his skills and interests, sources told BoomTown. But there were also rumors of increasing tension between D’Angelo and Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, who have been friends since high school. Meanwhile, the company has borrowed $100 million to expand its server base.
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analysis
Everything else is just rumor
Fortune Magazine May 9, 08 4:24 PM CDT
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Rumors that Microsoft is about to buy Facebook are just rumors: Despite the press corps’ desire to keep the Microsoft acquisition jones alive, it's not going to happen anytime soon, writes David Kirkpatrick in Forbes . And talk of the Yahoo deal suddenly resurfacing? Forget about it. Still, Microsoft may be interested in Facebook far down the road—the possibility of gaining the bank of personal info is endlessly tempting.
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Site adds more than 40 new protective measures
Associated Press May 8, 08 4:42 PM CDT
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Facebook has implemented more than 40 additional measures to protect users from pedophiles and online bullying, the AP reports. The site now limits results for older users searching for minors, and has banned sex offenders from registering. "Building a safe and trusted online experience has been part of Facebook from its outset," said the site’s chief privacy officer.
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OPINION
Despite missing revenue targets, Mashable scribe not afraid to 'wax poetic'
Mashable May 8, 08 3:22 PM CDT
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MySpace fell short of revenue targets in the most recent quarter, but, Adam Ostrow argues in Mashable, it’s still proven a phenomenal deal since Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp. bought it for $580 million in 2005. Revenues from its unit are pulling close to its purchase price and it’s on track to make more with music downloads, sponsorships and targeted ads.
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