According to a rather speculative report by research firm ABI Research, location-based social networks like Brightkite, GyPSii, Pelago and Loopt could reach revenues as high as $3.3 billion by 2013. The report, however, also warns that the business models might differ from what most analysts are expecting today. According to ABI research, most of these networks will make their money from licensing and revenue-sharing with network providers or handset manufacturers.

Shirky

Extracting Textual Data for SNA and CDA

What is the desired outcome for the group? What is the INTENT?

It may be all the rage, but are company-built social networks for customers to socialize in really smart?

One of the hot investments for businesses these days is online communities that help customers feel connected to a brand. But most of these efforts produce fancy Web sites that few people ever visit. The problem: Businesses are focusing on the value an online community can provide to themselves, not the community.

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NYU Professor Clay Shirky discusses social software and the future overlap of well-developed online campaigns and politics in the next decade.

Anthropologist of the online community Danah Boyd discusses ways young people use social network sites to connect with their friends and present themselves online.

Businesses are missing out on the huge potential that social networks present, a leading information technology company has warned.