# 5: Social Networks

Defining Online Social Networks

This video from Common Craft provides an overview of social networking in the 2.0 world:

As with a lot of 2.0 tools, a definition of a “social network” is difficult — it’s one of those “you’ll know it when you see it” tools! But how do you know what to look for? Here are a few characteristics of social networks:

• profile pages: when you sign up for an account on a social networking site, your “profile page” becomes your home base. Most social networks allow you to add as much or as little information about yourself as you’d like. Common fields include your name, contact information, interests, and a photograph of yourself.
  
  
• “friending”: this is probably the most important characteristic of a social network because finding friends (existing or new) on a social networking site is pretty much the point of being there in the first place! So, most social networks allow you to add another person/profile as a “friend” or a “contact” and your collection of friends becomes your own personal social network For example, Facebook began as a social network for college and university students; it has since opened up to allow anyone to join the network, but it still remains most popular with students.
  
  
• groups: with real life social networks, groups tend to form around common interests, therefore most online social networks allow users to start a group or join a group based on their interests or common goals. Depending on the social networking site, you will probably find a group that represents your interests, regardless of what that interest might be!

Popular Online Social Networks

• Facebook - is a social networking service and website launched in February 2004, in January 2011, Facebook has more than 600 million active users
• MySpace - what began as a place for independent bands to promote their concerts and music has turned into the most popular online social network in the English-speaking world!
• LinkedIn - if Facebook caters to the student crowd, LinkedIn is where you go when you graduate! LinkedIn is “an online network of more than 9 million experienced professionals from around the world, representing 130 industries.”
• VKontakte is the most popular network in Russia. Read about VKontakte in Wikipedia
  

Ning - Privat Social Networks

Ning is an online platform for creating social networks. The unique feature of Ning is that anyone can create their own social network for a particular topic or need, and for specific groupes. Read more about Ning in Wikipedia. And you can learn how to use Ning in the Ning workshop Tutorial

An example on the use of Ning is Classroom 2.0 - a social network for those interested in Web 2.0 and collaborative technologies in education. Library 2.0 is a Ning for librarians and others interested in Library 2.0, you will also find a group for medical libraries.

Online Social Networks in Healthcare & Libraries

View more OpenOffice presentations from Health sciences Libraries.

Discovery Exercise:

1. Log in to your Facebook account, and take a closer look. Update your profile with correct information and privacy settings.
   
   
2. Search for people you know (eg. me), and ask to be added as a friend
   
   
3. See if you can find a group for Librarians, and sign up. Post (write something) on the group Wall
   
   
4. Take a look at the EAHIL page and the Nordic-Baltic Association for Medical and Health Information page.
   
   
5. Create a page for your library. Supply with links and tools



6. Check out some of the other online social spaces, like LinkedIn. Set up a profile (or simply explore other profiles), check out the features and blog your thoughts!

Use for or by Medical Libraries (examples):

• Library 2.0 Ning: http://library20.ning.com/
• MLA09 Wetpaint: http://mla09.wetpaint.com/
• Ozmosis (for doctors): https://www.ozmosis.com/home