By Alex Rosete and Shawn Reiss

Activities of the newer version of the site:

SUMMARY

The main functions of the site, as mentioned in project 1, would be for users who have email addresses and want to join Facebook, would have the ability to network with other members from around the world, as well as with friends they can keep in touch with that they may no longer live within the same vicinity anymore. 

Specifically for the dating portion:

Users, most of the time, are surfing for people to meet and get to know better, although that’s not the entire purpose of the site.  In other words, it is sort of evolving into a Myspace-like site.  Many users use the site specifically just to communicate with old friends, but a lot of the users are also using Facebook as a dating site, which it is not meant to be.  The idea that we came up with to add would be a “dating” type of application where those people who are actually interested in meeting others on Facebook for dating purposes have that ability to.

Example:

Joe Smith is a 23 year old college student and is in fear of being single for most of his life.  His goal is to graduate, start a family and begin his normal life.  With the application we would like to implement he would have the ability to log into the application and browse users who match his profile and interests, to find a compatible match.  The application should be designed to search and link together people with the same interests in music, education, hobbies, interest’s in what kind of person they’re looking for, providing for another dating service free through facebook.

A use case for joining and using the Compatibility application on Facebook might be:

1.       The system displays options for adding the Compatibility application.

2.       The user chooses the option for the Compatibility application to find out what it entails.

3.       The user decides to add the application.

4.       The system displays a compatibility questionnaire to fill out, including information about the user and also on who the user is searching for.

5.       The user fills out each part of the Compatibility Questionnaire.

6.       The user submits the questionnaire to the system.

7.       All information entered by the user would be placed into a database within the application, where other compatibility application users’ information is already stored.

8.       The database matches up the information that is compatible and sends it back to the system.

9.       The system displays to the user who is compatible with them.

10.   The system gives the user the option to send a message or add who they think they might be interested in as a Facebook friend. 

The major interfaces required are:

1.       Login page

2.       Compatibility application page

3.       Questionnaire page

4.       List of compatible users page

Posted: March 21st, 2008 under Project 2.
Comments: none

Group Members:

Alex Rosete: http://2007.ispace.ci.fsu.edu/~apr07/blog/

Shawn Reiss: http://2006.ispace.ci.fsu.edu/~smr04h/blog/

Andrew McDonald : http://2007.ispace.ci.fsu.edu/~agm04/wordpress/

Collaborative System Type:

Facebook.com

Characteristics of Users:

The range of users is very broad.  There are very little restrictions to join facebook, unlike the earlier days when you had to have a valid “.edu” email address to join.  Now, anyone with a valid email address can join the facebook community. 

Primary Activities:

1)      Networking

2)      Joining/creating different discussion groups

3)      Joining/creating different events  in town

4)      Using different applications (mostly mini-games)

5)      Posting what you’re doing  so your friends know

Strengths:

1)      Users have the ability to communicate with other users and expand their personal network

2)      Classmate discussions can be held in the form of a group/event

3)      The privacy settings allow you access to keeping either individual users or people not on your friends list to have access to viewing your profile

Weaknesses:

1)      Anyone with a valid email address can join facebook, even the creepy people who like to stalk people all day long

2)      The news feed broadcasts EVERYTHING you do on facebook so all your friends can keep tabs on you, unless you know to change the settings

3)      There is no compatibility option for those interested in dating

What to Improve:

We feel one area that needs improvement could be the compatibility option.  We will add a compatibility application that is only available to users who are “single” or interested in finding their match.  The application will compare the user’s profile with other similar profiles, via their personal interests (movies, music, hobbies, books, etc.) and then display the matches found.  Then, the user will have the ability to begin communication with whom they are interested.

Posted: March 4th, 2008 under Project 1.
Comments: none