Social software - Article Example

SOFTWARE This report presents a basic overview of social software. This is an increasingly popular and user-inclusive type of software, due mainly to the millions joining online services like MySpace and Facebook, and looking at Wikipedia and YouTube; this popularity "has drawn attention to a group of technological developments known as social software. These technologies, which rely on user collaboration, include Web services, p2p networks, blogs, podcasts, and social networks" (Pogue, 2008).

Overall, social software is changing the scene of communication and economics (PayPal is just one economic example of social software), and driving a new kind of Web awareness that stresses ideals of transparency and direct user interaction. Understanding social software means also understanding the importance and rise of the Web itself, and how it has changed. The main difference is that while the past was more about the creation of creator-centered content, social software is more user-centered.

The Web from this perspective, historically represents an increase in technology that has brought people together rather than dividing them (Web 1.0), and has then also empowered them to communicate more effectively (social software). With the rise of social software, it may be less likely that people will just be fed disinformation and propaganda by the creator, because they are in essence the creators themselves. Of course, there are two sides to every coin, and social software is not an overall panacea to the problems of the Web, as many would suspect: there are still new problems and challenges.

One advantage of social software is its empowerment of the user side of the equation. Also, it is more easy to see information about the workings of an organization through something like an employee blog, than it is from a company's official press release. REFERENCEPogue, D (2008). Are you taking advantage' New York Times.Whitbeck, J. (2001). Out of Home Media Meets the 21st Century. Brandweek. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BDW/is_12_42/ai_72291922ABC (2008). CIO.E-Commerce Review Committee (2007).

http://www.wmich.edu/ecrc/. Social software (2009). http://wikipedia.orgHow businesses are using Web 2.0 (2007). McKinsey Global Survey.