[quote][b]Nir_ (02/03/2008)[/b][hr]OK, maybe I pushed it a bit in the subject line (and I still think Facebook offers amazing functionality). But check out this article about Facebook (and other major social networks) dropping off recently. Mind you, even if thesehuge sitedrop 90% inmembers / page views, they'd still be serving millions of members.



To save you the reading, the article says:



1. Facebook (among other lead social networks) is down on all key site stats in Q4 07.



2. Social networks need to givetheir members a real benefit (like meeting new people, getting new jobs, etc)on top of connecting with old friends, in order to maintain long term loyaly.



3. The article summarises recent feedback fromsome facebook users: "...join, accumulate dozens of semi-friends, spy on a few exes for a bit, get bored, then get on with your life, occasionally dropping in to respond to a message or see some photos".



Any thoghts?[/quote]



I agree!

SNS (Social Networking Sites) are way overrated.

The drop-off may also come as a result of these sites now seeing increasing blockage by corporate firewalls.

I know that Credit-Suisse started blocking Facebook sometime late 2007/early 2008 - and they are probably not the only ones.



Also, what many people don't seem to realize is that the SNS are Hotel-California-style outfits: you can check-in, you can check-out, but you can never leave.

Your data will always be there's and what's been posted to the internet once can hardly be removed.

rainer_d, Mar 2, 2008 @ 22:11

Facebook is not the same tool as Glocals and does not serve any local community. I think a lot of Geneva glocals are using facebook just for:

 Inviting Geneva friends to an event and letting them respond on a website that ALL can see rather than writing to you personally in a volley of incessant emails.

It takes the pressure off the organizer and shares it with the group. Everyones knows who is coming, who is bringing what. Transportation information. Updates.

Having said that, you cannot open Facebook and see what's going on in Geneva, physically get off the computor and meet new people, discover new activities...

Facebook therefore cannot replace Glocals. But it would be cool if Glocals could help organizers by providing that open information forum about the event details.  

 
MarmarK, Mar 3, 2008 @ 10:43