The popularity of online social networks these days have not only become the talk among youths and adults that are participating for many reasons, it has also become the spotlight of the media. Online Social network started off by offering dating networks and connecting one business entrepreneur to another by providing contacts to them online (Greenlee 2004). However, because of the way of living has now changed due to globalisation, social networks has also moved along with the changes. Online social networks like Myspace and Multipy serves a certain purpose for each individual that are interested to join these social networks. Around 3 million users were said to be joining Multiply and the numbers are still increasing (Cashmore 2006). Multiply offers services such as “… photo sharing archive, advanced messaging, blogs, calendars, contact management, email and recipes” (Cashmore 2006). Besides that, users can also chat with their contacts akin to any other instant messenger (Mulitply.com - Share your life with your friends n.d).

It is interesting to see how the way of communicating with each other has changed from posting letters to e-mails, and how meeting people from different walks of life through online social network at just a click away. Multiply, an online social network aim differs from other online social networks, whereby they concentrate more on “… how individuals consume information in the social network” (Iskold 2006). As to my preferences, I prefer Multipy rather than Myspace because of its structure of content provided. It is more organized and easier to understand and less spamming for other contacts. According to Reep (2006, p. 174), in organising web pages issue, content is the most important element in a web page although users may enjoy the presence of other graphics such as pictures and music videos. On the other hand, website editors should be wary enough to understand their audiences because different groups of people decode information differently (Lannon 2006, pp. 30-31). In this case, the content of the site should be as simple and precise as it should be to avoid misunderstanding and confusion among users.





References:

• Cashmore, P 2006, Multiply- a Popular Social Network, online, retrieved on 11 june 2008, from http://mashable.com/2006/07/14/multiply-gets-funding/

• Greenlee, D 2004, Multiply.com: Next Generation Online Social Network, online, retrieved 11 June 2008, from http://www.webtalkguys.com/090404.shtml

• Iskold, A 2006, Multiply: A Different Approach To Social Networking, online, retrieved on 11 June 2008, from http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/mutiply_analysis.php

• Lannon, J M 2006, Technical Communication, 10th edn, Pearson Education, USA.

• Mulitply.com - Share your life with your friends n.d, online, retrieved 10 June 2008, from http://www.killerstartups.com/Social-Networking/mulitplyshare-your-life-with-your-friends

• Reep, D C 2006, Technical writing: principles, strategies, and readings, 6th edn, Pearson Education, Inc., New York.