Techquickie Lecture Notes: Evolution of Social Networking

Introduction

• Importance of social networks in modern digital interaction.
• Engagement through social media likened to basic human nature.

Early Social Networking

• Six Degrees (1997):
  • First site with profiles, friends lists, instant messaging.
  • Failed due to limited internet users.
• Friendster (2002):
  • Hit 1 million users quickly.
  • Similar to dating sites; decreased stigma of meeting online.
  • Reached over 3 million users.

Rise of MySpace

• Launched by eUniverse, leveraging existing user base.
• Outpaced Friendster by rapid feature development.
• Known for customizable profiles (backgrounds, GIFs).

Facebook's Dominance

• Launched in 2004 by Mark Zuckerberg:
  • Initially a college directory.
  • Expanded rapidly across U.S. universities.
  • Opened to general public in 2006.
• Prioritized user-generated content and networking.
• Cleaner design and better maintenance compared to MySpace.

Twitter Emerges

• Launched in 2006:
  • Focused on microblogging (140 characters).
  • Popularized hashtags in 2007.
  • Trending topics became a new feature.

Broader Social Networking Impact

• Other platforms adopted social network features:
  • LinkedIn: Business networking with Facebook-like features.
  • YouTube, Instagram, Reddit: Community functions, hashtags, likes.

Miscellaneous

• Google+: Brief mention, acknowledged as largely forgotten.

Synergy 2 Software

• New version easier to use than Synergy 1.
• Features include:
  • Cross-platform mouse/keyboard sharing.
  • SSL encryption.
  • Advanced networking capabilities.
  • Pro version offers clipboard sharing, file transfers, etc.
• Special discount available.

Conclusion

• Encouragement to subscribe and engage with Techquickie.
• Mention of other channels and video suggestions.