New Social Network for Web Professionals - Need Input

[FoundByDesign]

Hello fellow WPW members. I have seen talk here of a want and desire for a good social network platform focused on web professionals. I have decided to take this project on, and am currently working on a beta site now.

I am seeking a few select pros in the industry to help give me your insight and opinion as to what will help make this network a success.

Currently, the site will feature:

• Individual Profiles
• Groups (Public, Private and Hidden)
• Facebook "wall-style" mini activity / discussion boards
• Individual blogs
• Friending other members
• Messaging between members
• Forums for Discussions

If you would be interested in providing feedback, ideas and insights, please let me know. I am also seeking those that might be interested in moderation of forums and groups.

Thanks
Ed

[kgun]

Interesting.

Personally, I should like to develope a learning / educational network explained in more detail here:

Social media platform / software

Some problems:

1. How to make the software fast and secure?
2. Upgrading to future web development.
3. Technological solution.
4. Hosting.

[FoundByDesign]

kgun,
I am using the Buddypress platform built on to of Wordpress. Adds social aspects to a multi-blog environment. Wordpress has a ton of plugins for optimizing speed and security, and upgrading is simple... push a button. As for hosting, choose one you can upgrade as your site grows.

[kgun]

Originally Posted by FoundByDesign

kgun,
I am using the Buddypress platform built on to of Wordpress. Adds social aspects to a multi-blog environment. Wordpress has a ton of plugins for optimizing speed and security, and upgrading is simple... push a button. As for hosting, choose one you can upgrade as your site grows.

Good information, but do you think it is so powerful as the Elgg - Open Source Social Networking and Social Publishing Platform. platform. Note that elgg requires php 5.+. Persoanlly, I like that.

Key word:

var this = in php 4 versus php 5

[inertia]

Sounds like a great idea. The only thing I'd like to see is some really strict controls to stops idiots signing up. The abundance of time wasters, spammers, band wagoners, wannabes, con men etc on social sites really pisses me off. If you can keep them out of your network ill hang around there all the time!

I am using the Buddypress platform built on to of Wordpress.

Are you using wordpress mu? I'd be keen to know how this works out for you...

[FoundByDesign]

@kgun I have looked at elgg before, but chose Buddypress based on it being not only based on Wordpress, but being supported fully by Wordpress. And with Wordpress MU soon to become merged with the main Wordpress system, Buddypress should get a bigger push in support. Wordpress has one of the most active development communities in the open source world. That makes me feel comfortable in security, but also future development.

@inertia: I have used WPMU for quite some time and enjoy it. With domain mapping, it is possible to use on CMS to manage many websites, each with their own specific domain! As for keeping time wasters and spammers out of this social network, I am looking at a couple options. One includes a small membership fee, mostly to remove spammers from joining. Debating this and would love to get feedback from others on that.

If either of you would like to contribute ideas or feedback on the actual site, please let me know and I can provide the URL. The site is still in development, so its not ready quite yet for full public release.

Thanks
Ed