Social Networking

T

TimG

Gawd
Joined
Jan 30, 2006
Messages
919
So my friend has this idea to create a Facebook clone without all the annoying applications they've recently added. I know, this idea is kind of far-fetched. The idea does intrigue me though.

I was just curious what kind of coding I'm going to need to look into to create this. I'm mainly talking about all the back-end stuff. The front-end is pretty much HTML/CSS. Any ideas would be appreciated.
 
I'd go with PHP which I personally use because it's free.
I was also thinking of doing something like this, drop me a pm
if you need a 3rd person, I'm pretty much capable of building a cms so
I don't think a facebook clone is too far fetched.
 
My friend can't write any code at all, he just came up with the idea. I know HTML and CSS. We were just looking for some information on what kind of languages and how much it would be to hire someone to help us out.
 
I have to say, the thought of this has also crossed my mind, but then a minute later I thought well that means that everyone has already thought of it and might have already created it! But more luck to you.
 
Whenever I think of something like this I always remember watching The Screensavers on Tech TV when Kevin Rose would come in as an intern. You ever hear of a little website called Digg?

All it takes is an idea and some effort.
 
For the back end, you'll be looking at languages like PHP or Python or Ruby, or even Java or using the .Net platform if you're so inclined. Then you'll probably want to use a database to store all the user information, and here the most commonly used db packages are mySQL, PostgreSQL, Microsft SQL Server, and Oracle. Choosing a server side language and a database will let you get a site up, but from there what you should know will depend on what your site will be doing. For example, if you wanted to integrate with Google Maps for some reason, you'd have to take a little time to learn their API.
 
While it's a good idea, there are a myriad of clones out there these days and even complete 'scripts' you can download, upload, configure and voila, you're very own social network.

You've got to be very, very lucky to get the kind of results some of the popular ones have gotten, today.
 
TimG said:
The front-end is pretty much XHTML/CSS.
Click to expand...

Fixed.


It's gonna be a big project. Start small. Set small goals but think ahead, especially regarding the database(s). Test religiously. Sell me stock for cheap before the launch.
 
The Donut said:
You've got to be very, very lucky to get the kind of results some of the popular ones have gotten, today.
Click to expand...

This is utterly false -- you don't have to be lucky. You need to provdie something that people want that nobody else provides.
 
mikeblas said:
This is utterly false -- you don't have to be lucky. You need to provdie something that people want that nobody else provides.
Click to expand...

I wasn't referring to that kind of luck. There are plenty of sites out there that provide things that nobody else does, some stick, some don't.
 
maxedoutcc said:
the only language you should know is the spoken language of the developer you hire :)
Click to expand...

While I completely agree with you, I'd still like to know what I'm looking for in a developer.

I was also thinking of somehow integrating Google Maps into the mix.

Neptune - Thanks for the fix.
 
The Donut said:
I wasn't referring to that kind of luck. There are plenty of sites out there that provide things that nobody else does, some stick, some don't.
Click to expand...
And those sites aren't lucky? Isn't the problem marketing? Or is the problem that they provide something that nobody else does -- but few people want or need?

If TimG and his friends want to make a social networking site to teach themselves about software development, it sounds like a great idea. If they want to do it in order to be commercially successful, they have a lot more homework to do. If they don't do the homework and rely on luck, then they're probably wasting their time.
 
If you can make a secure social networking website without the choice of adding applications and a million "pretty pictures" to your profile page, you have my entire support!
 
I hate myspace. I use facebook. But everybody at my school seems to use myspace so I just have to learn to like it. People put some much flash and flashing things on their page that it would lock up my old 256mb-o-ram computer.

My suggestion would be to use php, just because I find it easy to learn and use and very powerful and effective. Plus, it was easy for me to go from php to learning a little C#. That will give you future options. Also, I think you should allow people to put all that crap on their pages, but allow the other users to turn it off if they want.
 
jbog91 said:
Also, I think you should allow people to put all that crap on their pages, but allow the other users to turn it off if they want.
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+1. That is a good option to have. Personally, I just want to visit somebody's page, look at recent updates, photos, videos and that's it. All of those FaceBook apps and MySpace templates are just annoying.

Dunno if you guys have seen this or not, but check it out.

http://pownce.com/
 
I couldn't imagine running a social network with .net, server license would get real pricey
real fast. Need a hell of a lot of google ads lol. If anyone actually decides to do this, for whatever reason let me know. I've been looking for a collaborative project to build my php
skills on.
 
TopGun said:
I couldn't imagine running a social network with .net, server license would get real pricey
real fast. Need a hell of a lot of google ads lol. If anyone actually decides to do this, for whatever reason let me know. I've been looking for a collaborative project to build my php
skills on.
Click to expand...

I'd be willing to help out as much as I can. I know that I don't know PHP but I can be good for some other things lol. LMK.
 
TopGun said:
I couldn't imagine running a social network with .net, server license would get real pricey
real fast. Need a hell of a lot of google ads lol. If anyone actually decides to do this, for whatever reason let me know. I've been looking for a collaborative project to build my php
skills on.
Click to expand...

oh you mean like how myspace is :)

myspace was originally built on coldfusion and ported over to .net through bluedragon
 
It looks like it's time to start reading up on PHP. Thanks for the tips/advice.
 
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