Gray's blog

I got _really_ bored and wanted to see if Tom actually replies to messages like a normal person.

Ideas for myspace / any social network:

Tom,

On the off chance your profile does not auto respond to messages, developers would love to see some type of language with a syntax similar to Javascript that can be used to manipulate profile widgets.

Or flash objects on the profile.

I personally as a developer feel over restricted / limited with the current application system. It also as a user seems rather bloated.

——————

Another thing that I would like to see is a type of API to Myspace, it has huge potential for abuse but if handled well and API keys were distributed to private developers, it would be a huge opportunity for development of Myspace on other devices, and integration with existing social services.

If that was done a callback system would be nice as well. (E.G. callback to API site when action is performed) Security would need to be handled properly but it would be great to have something that could post Myspace status’s to twitter automatically.

The mobile version lacks _a_ton_ of features, especially the Android version. Some major things that I found missing:
- Last Login
- Page Info (on profiles, display URL, etc.)
- Some type of music player would be nice since I assume with the flash player Myspace music stores it’s content in an mp3 format somehow. And mp3’s have a good streaming library on android.
-Lags / Crashes a lot, especially on Edge on the Android platform.

Thanks,
~ Gray

Not that I claim to be somewhat experienced in social networks.

Totally.

Forward: The following was posted by me on Opensock.com . They are worth reading again to anyone looking at creating a social network and the last bit (about online isometric games) is worth a read before you try to make money on one.

From Opensock:

It’s rarely the features that attract people to social networks, Myspace is incredibly bloated and messy but people use it because all they’re friends are using it.

Facebook is far ahead of Myspace in style, functionality and cleanliness, but the majority of American youth will use Myspace because there friends are using it, and convincing many people to move to a new social network can be hard without OUTSTANDING site features / layout.

I’d suggest a type of ‘Profile Import’ system if you were planning to start this, and a way to email your friends like Bebo does when you sign up (Find your friends, etc).

Most people I know tend to find most ads very intrusive, bloating and annoying. So clip them wherever possible.

Customization is also key, when a user can easily make something they’re own, like Myspace’s so-called ‘ghettofied’ HTML layouts which almost anyone can customize to they’re liking.

Speed and ease of use is something that keeps users coming to Facebook over Myspace, the faster the better. Also, AJAX when used unobtrusively and unbloated Javascript can create a very nice UI, very nice user interface (with as few refreshes as possible) and you can still handle operations requiring the loading of different pages through iFrames.

Applications, while crucial to the growth of most social networks (extendability) should implement a common standard for apps, such as OpenSocial. This will attract developers to your site. Less learning curve = more developers flocking to your site.

Browser compatibility is another big thing, again, most American teenagers do NOT upgrade they’re browsers. IE5 is still scarily common on library computers, schools and homes. American teenagers are a HUGE part of your market on a social network and should not be ignored.

Added later in post (as an edit) :

Forgot to touch on OpenID, a very interesting concept for any upcoming social networking site would be becoming an openID login allowed site, and an openID provider. Lower barrier to entry and more of an incentive to use (don’t need 10 accounts)

Also gonna want to hit mobile devices, most people I know use Myspace mobile.

More friends, more of an interest in coming back (Friend updates, etc).

And the bit about habbo:

Habbo has started to die out as 3D games have gained popularity and most platforms have gained the ability to run them in a browser.

Habbo has also become quite bloated.

Today’s teenagers see little attraction in a game like Habbo, where there is myspace and facebook a mere click away. There is nothing new and innovative about a bloated isometric web game.

Yeah.