TODAY 20 March 2007
“Weave your own web”

The article is about connecting people through online communities that are growing in many different ways.

Firstly, many Singaporeans connect through the popular website Friendster.com. It is a social networking site that users profile themselves and make friend by adding them into their friendster account. There are also options for posting pictures and writing testimonials for other friends as well.

However, Friendster is not the leading website in online communities. It is Myspace that has surpassed the popular Friendster, although the bulk of users come from the Western region. Nevertheless, friendster has certainly paved a way for Singaporeans to keep in touch since its introduction in 2002. I have managed to find many old friends and organized many gatherings with the help of friendster.

Secondly, Singaporeans connect with each other through online chatting. The most popular chatting service would have to be Microsoft’s MSN Messenger Service. The user-friendly chat is so addictive to some that certain companies have banned their employees from ‘IM’ during office hours, which is short for ‘instant messaging’.

MSN Messenger, however, is catered more to teenagers as many working adults prefer the traditional email approach. In addition, the features in MSN are very in sync with latest emoticons that many adults would perceive as ‘childish’.

Lastly, popular nightclub Zouk is one of the first clubs in the world to add an element of social networking to its website. Users create personal profiles and registered users even get exclusive perks like invites to party. As I frequent Zouk, maybe it’s time to get registered!

Of the three online communities that the paper has discussed, I believe the trend is for popular nightspots, like Zouk, to start this trend of having a social network online. Clubs are in the midst of stiff competition, with news of popular nightclub Devil’s Bar closing down at the end of the month. Therefore, there needs to be a portal for the regulars to connect and receive incentives like party invites through social networking online.