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Microstock Photography Forum - General => Software => Software - General => Topic started by: madelaide on March 07, 2010, 21:06

Title: Software for building a small social network
Post by: madelaide on March 07, 2010, 21:06
I wanted to build a kind of social network for my college class - we're celebrating 25 years of graduation this year.  I would like an application in which each of us could edit his own information, add a couple of photos.  A forum would be nice, but not mandatory - we have a distribution list anyway.  We would need a gallery for meeting photos - I could be the only one editing this part, as I am always the one that takes a camera.  This would be hosted in my ISP, in a password-protected area for more privacy.

It seems there are WP plugins for this, but I wonder if anyone has any experience building something of this type.
Title: Re: Software for building a small social network
Post by: leaf on March 08, 2010, 03:45
have you checked out just using a private facebook group?  Or do you want to have total control over it yourselves?
Title: Re: Software for building a small social network
Post by: hqimages on March 08, 2010, 05:23
It's a bit like someone in a web design forum asking what's the best camera to shoot a wedding with  :P

Do you have any web design/development experience? If not, why not hire a web designer?
Title: Re: Software for building a small social network
Post by: leaf on March 08, 2010, 05:48
I feel it is more like someone in a web design forum asking what the best camera is to shoot a high school reunion with.  

It doesn't seem like Madelaide is out to compete with twitter .. she just wants a place for her friends to get together.
Title: Re: Software for building a small social network
Post by: cathyslife on March 08, 2010, 07:58
we use myfamily.com. Private, not like facebook. can upload pictures, keep track of birthdays, etc.
Title: Re: Software for building a small social network
Post by: Carla on March 08, 2010, 08:54
If you just want to share files, use dropbox.com. Give everybody the password so that they can upload and download freely.
Title: Re: Software for building a small social network
Post by: madelaide on March 08, 2010, 10:23
Thanks for your replies. 

It's not just files (I use 4shared for that), but each member would be able to update his own personal data, such as a profile page.

Facebook is a problem because it is blocked in many offices.

I have just taken a look at myfamily.com, it seems interesting even at the free version, and at least here is not blocked. Even though we are not a family.  :D

I am not a programmer, but I have some knowledge about HTML and a little experience with Wordpress.
Title: Re: Software for building a small social network
Post by: crazychristina on March 08, 2010, 12:10
You could always try Joomla - a content management app for the web. If  your web host control panel uses Fantastico it's practically a one-click install.
Title: Re: Software for building a small social network
Post by: madelaide on March 08, 2010, 16:40
I believe Joomla would require creating the application I need in it, unless there are templates somewhere.  I wanted something more ready for the use I want.
Title: Re: Software for building a small social network
Post by: Randy McKown on March 08, 2010, 17:18
You could do joomla + jomsocial extension ... social engine & pligg are also very popular
Title: Re: Software for building a small social network
Post by: mantonino on March 08, 2010, 19:57
Wordpress Multi-user with buddypress?

Or start a zing.
Title: Re: Software for building a small social network
Post by: madelaide on March 08, 2010, 20:23
I read about Buddypress, any personal experience with it?

Jomsocial seems interesting, I have to look further in their site.
Title: Re: Software for building a small social network
Post by: mantonino on March 08, 2010, 20:30
Yeah I've used buddypress before but the installations I used were removed from the sites I had them on.  It's not tough if you're familiar with WP. 

BTW I meant Ning not Zing but I can never remember that domain.