Social Networking
Social networking is a general term for the ability to communicate with other individuals online. Social networking sites allow users to create a profile, providing photos, website links, biography information, or a host of other personal details. Users can view other profiles, connect in forums, or comment in community chat rooms.
Each site is different and focused on a certain area. For example, sites such as MySpace and Facebook encompass a wide variety of functions on both a personal and professional level. Linked In, on the other hand, is focused mainly on business relationships.
Social Bookmarking
Like social networking, Bookmarking Sites are meant to engage users and provide interaction. However, bookmarking sites also provide a way to more easily market articles and links. Sites like Digg and RedGage encourage users to click on new links and view what each user recommends.
Social bookmarking works best when users also take the time to get to know other members. Many sites rank the popularity of articles by the number of votes they get from their members, so it pays to get to know other users. Unlike a social networking site, however, members are limited in the items they can post.
Links and articles are popular things to share on social bookmarking sites. But personal pictures, videos, or messages usually are not. Following are some popular social bookmarking sites:
- Digg
- Fark.com
- StumbleUpon.com
- SheToldMe.com
- RedGage.com
- Del.icio.us
- Propeller.com
