/Open Source/ Build a social network
01/11/2007 | Filed under Develop > Open Source
With its swift installation and simple set-up, Elgg provides you with all the tools you need to become the next MySpace. Karl Hodge shows you how it’s done
The last few years have seen social networks become the internet’s most popular applications. Blogging is one thing, but blogging in like-minded communities gives you a much needed audience, and helps you to make friends at the same time.
Elgg is a PHP-powered script that helps you set up a fully featured social network in your own web space. You’ll need PHP support, and a spare MySQL database. Make sure you have a username and password for it before you begin your installation. The software’s still in beta, but the version I used is a robust and stable release.
Why set up a social network on your own site rather than on MySpace or LiveJournal? The answer is control. You maintain absolute control over the look and feel of the whole site, decide which modules to add and which to leave out. You can even change the entire layout of the page template with just a little HTML savvy. In short, why join MySpace when you can be MySpace?
About the author:
Name: Karl Hodge
Occupation: Journalist
Areas of expertise: Interface design and development
Clients: nerve.com
If I were a kitchen implement… I’d be a smoothie maker
Click here to download tutorial PDF
Comments
gabs / 06/11/2007 / 16:57 / http://www.seohome.co.uk
Please no more..
Anyway google has just launch its open social API ...
Nicola D'Agostino / 07/11/2007 / 12:31 / http://www.nezmar.com
Yes, please, no more social networks, thank you.
nda
aaron / 07/11/2007 / 14:45 / http://www.gamecron.com/
I think companies are starting to embrace social networks for intranets. It's really a good idea, since some want to separate work from play, so friends at work might not be friends you see on the weekend.
Justin Meyer / 09/11/2007 / 10:24 / http://jupiterit.com
Can it support open social? That would be really cool.
LASRnet / 09/11/2007 / 16:04 / http://www.lasr.net
I have got the perfect site to add this too. Thanks for posting this article. I was looking to implement something and this could be the answer.
bubba / 10/11/2007 / 14:45
... neither your post nor elgg's site makes any reference of opensocial ...
bav / 12/11/2007 / 15:58
Why not Boonex Dolphin? It's free and makes Elgg look very 'Web 1.0' in comparison.
keven ages / 14/11/2007 / 19:39 / http://www.squad5.net
I started using ELGG about 2 years ago, thinking it was my answer to social networking/community building.
I am now of the opinion that this project shouldn't even be considered opensource. There is absolutely no documentation, answers to specific 'core' questions on their forums are vague at best. The program itself is about 14 megs and really doesn't do very much to justify that kind of file size (Drupal is 2.1 megs and does a lot more out of the box).
So if you want a pseudo social networking tool that you don't need to tweak or add-on anything to, this might be the perfect solution, however you will rip a lot of your own hair out.
Makes me wonder if the author of this article even bothered to install this themselves and actually TRY it before endorsing it.
Joel C. Yuvienco / 24/11/2007 / 06:31 / http://people.dlscanlubang.org
I guess it's just a matter of personal preference. It works fine with me as a community member in a school setting.
Dan / 27/11/2007 / 17:27
Would like to recommend 2 websites for people who are looking for free social network hosting
EveryVisitor.com
ColectiveX.com
Jason R / 30/11/2007 / 21:34 / http://www.littlebearmedia.com
I just found a site that seems to be open social.
What do u think this was built with: http://plugin.com/home.php
Such a clean design.
Keven Ages / 17/12/2007 / 14:37 / http://www.squad5.net
@Joel C. Yuvienco
I totally agree, I just think the author is misleading the audience by comparing 'elgg' to MySpace or Live Journal.
apples vs oranges.
Jeremy / 17/12/2007 / 20:23 / http://saintlouisconnect.com
I have been using PHPIzabi for a while. Works Perfect. I tried Dolphin and others with no where near the support.
Charlie / 28/12/2007 / 14:47 / http://www.opensocialnetwork.es
My team and I are creating a social network of open source and anyone who wants can help as developer or user. Although we are in the planning stage we want to be a great software to create your own social network.
In my opinion have control of your social network is necessary and further if you have the source code. Also is necessary support as a good documentation. And all this we are going to try do.
Jasper / 29/12/2007 / 11:41 / http://www.sameagain.net
If you want real absolute control, it's probably best to write your own
Michael / 28/02/2008 / 20:05 / http://www.freegamesystems.info
Yeah i agree with Jasper. The only way to get true control is to develop your own. You can never have true control over the code if you are using somebody else's code. It is nice to use open source stuff for quick sites though.
