Analysis of social network sites and supporting functions

✍ Scribed by Rebecca L. Anderson

• Publisher: Wiley (John Wiley & Sons)
• Year: 2010
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 164 KB
• Volume: 47
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0044-7870
• DOI: 10.1002/meet.14504701390

✦ Synopsis

Social network sites are quickly becoming ubiquitous across the Internet. While research has explored user behaviors in relation to the sites, supporting functions, largely has been overlooked. However, the functions encourage or prohibit user behaviors. In this paper a matrix of social network sites and functions is identified. This illustrates the functions common to these websites. This further illustrates which websites house what functions. A definition for functions is provided. All websites contain profiles, picture management, email, network management, and search, while only four utilize instant messaging, event planning and blogs. It is important to understand the technological landscape of social network sites in order to get a better understanding of how the sites are used.