Danah Boyd (apophenia) together with Nicole Ellison, have published the introduction piece of a very interesting paper on social networking — see the announcement at danah’s blog, and also see the introduction to Social Network Sites: Definition, History, and Scholarship.
Abstract:
Social network sites (SNSs) are increasingly attracting the attention of academic and industry researchers intrigued by their affordances and reach. This special theme section of the Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication brings together scholarship on these emergent phenomena. In this introductory article, we describe features of SNSs and propose a comprehensive definition. We then present one perspective on the history of such sites, discussing key changes and developments. After briefly summarizing existing scholarship concerning SNSs, we discuss the articles in this special section and conclude with considerations for future research.
The paper is a good read. The authors provide a definition to social network, provide historical information/perspectives, work done in the area of social networking, and a set of references to their work.
ceo