Social engine
Encyclopedia
A social engine is a hybrid between a Social Network
and a Search Engine
.
The term social engine is the shortened version of the term social networking engine which provides a software development framework for developing social applications and a platform for hosting them. A social engine (or social networking engine) acts as a web based operating system for developing all kinds of social networking websites and services. A few examples of open source social engines are: Elgg Social Networking Engine, Anahita Social Networking Engine, Appleseed Project, and Diaspora Project.
used by the Facebook team.
The term engine in software refers to Software engine
which basically provides the core functionality of a computer program.
The terms Social Engine and Social Networking Engine have become more of household terms similar to Game engine
and Search engine
since many social networking projects have realized that social networking cannot be just added to an existing service such as CMS or Web 2.0
software. In fact applications are built in a social context and installed on a social engine platform which becomes the web operating system for the social applications. The same fashion that applications can be installed on a copy of Mac OSX, Linux, or Windows operating systems. By this definition services such as facebook or Twitter which allow APIs for facebook apps or twitter apps are also considered social engines. Same applies to open source projects such as Elgg, Diaspora, Anahita, Appleseed, etc.
David Ferguson, Facebook Engineering Manager has once mentioned at a "You build things on top of social, you don't' try to build social into products".
Social network
A social network is a social structure made up of individuals called "nodes", which are tied by one or more specific types of interdependency, such as friendship, kinship, common interest, financial exchange, dislike, sexual relationships, or relationships of beliefs, knowledge or prestige.Social...
and a Search Engine
Search engine
A search engine is an information retrieval system designed to help find information stored on a computer system. The search results are usually presented in a list and are commonly called hits. Search engines help to minimize the time required to find information and the amount of information...
.
The term social engine is the shortened version of the term social networking engine which provides a software development framework for developing social applications and a platform for hosting them. A social engine (or social networking engine) acts as a web based operating system for developing all kinds of social networking websites and services. A few examples of open source social engines are: Elgg Social Networking Engine, Anahita Social Networking Engine, Appleseed Project, and Diaspora Project.
Terminology
The prefix social has been used by services such as Facebook to emphasize the fact that a feature or service is related to social networking. For example the terms Social Plugins or Social GraphSocial graph
The social graph is a term coined by scientists working in the social areas of graph theory. It has been described as "the global mapping of everybody and how they're related"...
used by the Facebook team.
The term engine in software refers to Software engine
Software engine
In computer science, a software engine refers to the core of a computer program. Software engines drive the functionality of the program, and are distinct from peripheral aspects of the program, such as look and feel.- Elucidation :...
which basically provides the core functionality of a computer program.
The terms Social Engine and Social Networking Engine have become more of household terms similar to Game engine
Game engine
A game engine is a system designed for the creation and development of video games. There are many game engines that are designed to work on video game consoles and personal computers...
and Search engine
Search engine
A search engine is an information retrieval system designed to help find information stored on a computer system. The search results are usually presented in a list and are commonly called hits. Search engines help to minimize the time required to find information and the amount of information...
since many social networking projects have realized that social networking cannot be just added to an existing service such as CMS or Web 2.0
Web 2.0
The term Web 2.0 is associated with web applications that facilitate participatory information sharing, interoperability, user-centered design, and collaboration on the World Wide Web...
software. In fact applications are built in a social context and installed on a social engine platform which becomes the web operating system for the social applications. The same fashion that applications can be installed on a copy of Mac OSX, Linux, or Windows operating systems. By this definition services such as facebook or Twitter which allow APIs for facebook apps or twitter apps are also considered social engines. Same applies to open source projects such as Elgg, Diaspora, Anahita, Appleseed, etc.
David Ferguson, Facebook Engineering Manager has once mentioned at a "You build things on top of social, you don't' try to build social into products".
Examples
- TrexyTrexyTrexy is an Internet metasearch engine established in early 2006. It allows users to record and share "search trails" of their activity on search engines. The trails themselves are searchable, allowing users to save time when searching by examining the pages found by other users...
permits users to record and share “search trails” of their activity on search engines, which themselves are searchable and usable by other searchers. - WinkWinkA wink is a facial expression made by briefly closing one eye. A wink is an informal mode of non-verbal communication usually signalling shared hidden knowledge or intent, which may also include, in some contexts, sexual attraction....
provides people search across social networks, and Web search based on user input.