If you use any of the social network websites, you know how addictive and useful they can be. Websites like Facebook, MySpace, and Linked In provide tools that let people put themselves (or some representation of themselves) online, connect with others, and communicate with the world at large.
The izotz Social Network webpage module lets you build your own social network website. Maybe you are a part of a social group, community organization, or business entity, and you would like to have your own private social network where people can create their personal profiles and connect with other members of your own network without opening the network to the world at large. Maybe you like Facebook...but don't want the advertising or don't like their rules. Maybe you just want something a little easier to use, and restrict it to a select group of participants. The Social Network module can let you do all of this...with just a couple mouse clicks.
Installing the Social Network Module
Like all izotz webpage modules, the Social Network module can be either installed into a website project or run as a stand alone web application. There is even a website project template called the Social Network Website that builds a website that includes several modules that would make up a good social network website...such as the social network module and a community forum/message board module. To install the module, simply run the Add New Module wizard and select it from the module list. Then, if you are placing it into an existing website, run the Navigation Menu wizard and place it on one of your website navigation menus.
The module doesn't require any setup, although you can change the visual appearance by selecting alternative style schemes. The available schemes match the schemes used by the Message Board module, making it easy to maintain a similar user interface if you include both these modules in a website.
Using the Social Network Module
To be useful, a social network needs members. People become members of your social network by first becoming a member of your website using the "sign up" feature, then by visiting your social network webpage and clicking the Create My Profile link. Only people that are members of your website (have a login) can create a personal profile and become members of your social network.
Once a member creates a profile, it becomes visible to everyone who visits your social network webpage. Visitors can click a profile to view profile details. When a user is logged in, they can edit their own profile directly from their profile page.
Connections
The backbone of any social network are the connections its members make between each other. Create connections for people you have a relationship with. Your connections appear on the right side of your profile page. People can click any of your connections and jump to the profile page of the connection.
You add connections to your profile page by clicking the View All Connections link, then click Add Connections and select members from the community. These people will be added to your profile. At the same time, YOU will be added to THEIR profile. If your connection wants to keep you on their profile page, they simply let your link stay. If they don't want you, they can delete your link off their page.
Blogs
Each member of the network can create blogs that will appear on their profile page. If they "publish" the blog, it will also appear as a link on the social network homepage. Blogs can include text and photos, and be about anything you want. Other network members can post comments about your blogs.
Messages
Members can post messages to you on your profile page, and you can post messages on theirs.
Photos
Each member of the network has a private photo gallery where they can upload photos that other members can look at. Each photo can have a description attached to it, and other members can post comments about each picture.
Social networking is a great way to create an extended community among various groups of people. The izotz Social Networking module allows you to create a website that has all the best features of the bigger social networking websites, but allows you to control who can become a member and what rules everyone must play by. It's perfect for a corporation, a school, a social club, or a community...anyone who wants to create their own private social network website.