Are Social Networks Becoming Balkanized?

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Let's face it, new social networks appear to be springing up like mushrooms, at practically every turn another one seems to have popped up. Moreover several companies, such as Ning and ColectiveX, are vying to become "meta platforms" where users can generate, promote, and advance their own social networks. And for a very long time, the major social networks have supported the creation of social user groups -- communities within the community. All of which leads us to ask the question - are social networks becoming balkanized on the web? And if so, what does it imply?
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MyAds Beta Launches - Promote Your Business on MySpace

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MySpace just unveiled a huge step forward in the ability to use the worlds #1 social network to promote your music, business, or any other cause. News of the new advertising system, a self service platform similar to AdWords, was leaked about a month ago by the Social Times. Marketers have long used MySpace in a guerrilla fashion to promote, but have been unable to place ads with the big boys. MyAds changes that, but what more does it provide?
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Your First OpenSocial App

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Ok... So you've decided to jump in to the whole OpenSocial application development thing. But where do you start? This two part series will help you walk through the process. This first article addresses planning the features & targeting users. Part two will cover getting started with the OpenSocial API and coding your frist app. If you are ready to roll up your sleeves, follow through with this article and you'll be on your way...
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ClearSpring to Acquire Bookmarking Widget AddThis

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With any acquisition there is a natural question of synergy: Does 1 + 1 equal more than 2? So when widget distribution company ClearSpring put out a press release recently announcing that they are acquiring the bookmarking widget company AddThis in a private transaction for an undisclosed sum, we had to ask ourselves, "Will this move pay off for ClearSpring?"
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Friendster Supports Both Facebook & OpenSocial

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Under new CEO Richard Kimber, a Google veteran, Friendster is playing especially friendly. This week they announced that Friendster will support both OpenSocial and fbOben (the Facebook application developer platform). Since the announcement of OpenSocial, Facebook has been working hard to encourage other social networks to adopt its API, without enormous success. While Friendster is itself seeking to return to growth, this move will clearly add some stregth to the case that the Facebook fbOpen APIs are in fact an open platform
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Social Marketing - Antidote To The Economic Downturn?

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As the U.S. and global economic picture worsens, stock markets gyrate, and governments work towards multi-billion dollar rescue packages, it's impossible to be a small or medium sized business, and not be looking for smart ways to use your resources more effectively. Surprisingly, the economic downturn may mean an upturn in social marketing, as companies large and small turn to this cost effective and focused means of reaching their target markets.
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Skydeck Snags $3 Million To Make Your Phone Bill Social

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Vindigo co-founder Jason Devitt and Google blog search veteran Mike Wells want your phone bill. The two co-founders of Skydeck aim to use the data found in your phone bill to turn it into a valuable tool for managing and enhancing social and business relationships. The company announced it has raised $3 million from Saban Ventures, bringing it's total funding to $4 million, "to accelerate delivering Skydeck’s current online service to various mobile devices" according to the company's press release.
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