Cloud Computing and Social Networks in Mobile Space Plays a Big Role in Lives in society, as Each Person Lives in a Large Network of Friends, All of Them Are Not Known. The technology of the Internet opens up the people a new means of communication and social contacts.
The High competition within the telecommunications, provide services at enormous cheap rates, which allowed a very high spread of the Internet and these Cloud-Based Social Networks.
But the change in the company to the new technological possibilities just on the Internet is more than extraordinary in real life. The Cloud-based networks like Google Plus, LinkedIn, Facebook and MySpace, in recent years have established themselves fully in our everyday life.
The introduction of new mobile devices such as smartphones, tablet PCs, notebooks etc., indeed some apps are specifically developed for the network users which makes a high compulsion to be online and stay informed. Cloud Computing is an integral parts of the backend of these Social Networks, so apart from the well known disadvantages, Privacy and Security issues of Cloud Computing (Read the Previous article on Privacy and Security on this topic), more risks are added via these Social Networks. So, one should be able to understand the motto of this article named Cloud Computing and Social Networks in Mobile Space.
To be clear – to create greater awareness among the general users.
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| Table of Contents |
First, the concept of social networks should be clarified and defined. After the basic question “What are social networks?” is clarified, this article shows the basic usage potentials. Finally, we will discuss the disadvantages associated with the use of combined Cloud Computing and Social Networks in Mobile Space.
Cloud Computing and Social Networks in Mobile Space : Definitions and Concepts
The term network in sociology means a set of nodes or characters and their connection with each other. The word “social” suggests a reference to the environment. The Social Network, therefore, describes a web of relationships between a variety of characters. Here, the characters are both the people and institutions and can be in interconnection and also has a very differentiated degree of strength.
It can be said that one can generally distinguish between personal and social networks. Given the technological possibilities, especially in relation to the Internet, it must continue to distinguish between real and virtual social networks. Here are the best-known examples of virtual social networks such as Google Plus, Facebook, MySpace, LinkedIn and various other Internet forums where communication exchange via the Internet happens is discussed.
Cloud Computing and Social Networks in Mobile Space : Definitions and Concepts
Mobile devices allow users to use wireless networks and also the available mobile applications. The variety of products on the market is huge and subject goes under rapid innovation cycles. Here, the most important and most widely used devices are smartphones, laptops and tablet PCs. Possible access options are:
- Web browser: Website of the social network
- Web Browser Mobile Version: Mobile site of the social network
- App: developed by management of the social network app (Only for Tablet PC / Smartphone)
Below are some mobile devices will be presented in more detail.
With smartphones one can use Social Networks in three different ways: The easiest method is to use a social network on the web browser. This requires only an Internet connection and a web browser, which is integrated into every smartphone or can be downloaded and installed. Here one encounters quickly the limits of usability, since most smartphones offer small displays, as that one can attain a proper representation on the ordinary web page display of the social network.
Most websites offer mobile apps. If one uses the mobile version of a social network, the content is optimized for the display on smaller devices. Functions and the content can be easily found, viewed and controlled. For this purpose, such support must be given by the provider of the service.
Optimal usable functionalities can be reached through the use of appropriate apps. Here it is possible on a variety of mobile devices to ensure exacting representation of the features and content. Here, this app must not only be provided by the supplier of the social network, but also the smartphone should provide the technical prerequisites. This will not necessarily be provided for all operating systems. With the most widely used operating systems like Android, iOS and Windows Phone 7, this is not a problem. Due to the variety of access options in conjunction with this type of device the maximum mobility is given.
As with smartphones, one has basically the same version of the newer Tablet PCs. These are limited in the sense, for example, there are no Tablet PCs with Windows Phone 7. Here it is limited to Android and iOS, because with Windows 7 Tablet PC can not use the well-known apps. Through the appropriate size of the displays of tablet PCs, the web-based displays of social networks have been improved tremendously. Here one is less reliant on apps but also stand for the above operating systems. The size of the display and the devices are larger, which limits the mobility.
Laptops offer better hardware components and more power than smartphones and tablet PCs, which are absent in this segment, are the mobile operating systems and associated apps. In addition, netbooks do not offer special service. Here one is limited access via a Web browser. With an additional size and weight, the mobility is significantly restricted.
Cloud Computing and Social Networks in Mobile Space : Type of Networks
If mobility is the focus on the use of social networks, the smartphone is the best choice. In order to enjoy more beautiful displays and when the size of the device still complies with the requirements, a tablet PC is just right. Laptops or netbooks do not offer significant advantages in this segment.
As can be seen from the previous section, the use of social networks in the mobile space is almost fully possible because of the technology. Especially the use of the apps allows simplified access to smartphone and tablet PC. Furthermore, a distinction is made in the literature to social networks, not between mobile and non-mobile usage.
Due to this fact, it makes the goal, differentiated according to private and corporate sectors to identify possible potential dangers. It is considered that these potential benefits in the mobile application can be found by apps.
Depending on the task of a social network 3 types/forms can be distinguished from social networks:
- Knowledge Network
- Performance network
- Recommendation Network
In many cases, the transitions are fluid.
A knowledge network is a voluntary association of knowledge e.g. employees of research departments; all using a specific IT tool for their work. The goal of this method is to make accessible the know-how of a single person on a particular area to others and thus to gain a strategic advantage through the reservations of knowledge. The level of knowledge within the network is continuously expanded and renovated. The main motivation for such a meeting is personal trust and mutual exchange of important good “knowledge”.
Performance networks are described where the type of meeting it is mainly the exchange or purchase of services.
The so-called “recommendation networks” can be used for a company of freelancers or as a recommendation platform. Over such networks, companies can recommend dealers/service providers and evaluate their service providers. One such an evaluation process allows quick and easy selection of recommended products/distributors and service providers. The main focus of such recommendation networks is on strengthening and promoting economic growth and networking.
Another branch of recommendation networks constitute the commercial recommendation networks like Facebook or Xing. The focus here is the relationship building and getting to known to new people. Here are features such as “Like” or “like it” are indirect recommendations for a persons profile and company profiles.
Cloud Computing and Social Networks in Mobile Space : Access to Private Data
Facebook is the most used social network, around 51% of Internet users have an account and 45% has an active account. It is interesting that Twitter and Google Plus now are equal in usage share.
Also, the age distribution in the use of social networking is predominant. But one can say that the social networks primarily used by the younger peoples. With the development of technology Web 2.0 self-expression has become of paramount importance. Adolescents and adults presenting themselves nowhere more so than in the popular online portals such as Facebook, Myspace or Others.
The members of social networks provide their own personal profile on the net. They arrange their self-presentation in which they present their personal data, hobbies, interests, preferences and friends list and the writing is enriched with photos. Comments from friends, acquaintances and friends network support the staged status. Social networks are becoming more and more a platform for social care friendship. The ubiquity of the use of social networks, it is always easier to retrieve the users’ acquaintances to discover or rediscover.
Friendship Care is one of the main reasons for the use of social networks in the private sector, there are the main advantages in the following points:
- It overcomes the spatial distance
- Time factor – career, family and friends
- Communication style
- Allays the barrier of “appearance”
Internet friendships allow both regional, regional, national and international friendships. In this case, it does not matter where the “friend” just is. When Friendship cares about social networks, the spatial distance plays no role. Even the problem of time differences can, in this case, be totally neglected. Often such friendships even broke apart. Social networks via the Internet offers career-oriented people to keep a new way friendships upright. Face to face meetings are reduced and this increases the exchange of information through social networks.
In addition, such networks can be built via special forums (Example: Cats forums), people can easily be found with the same interests. It is easy to find topics about which you can talk together.
Cloud Computing and Social Networks in Mobile Space : Risk Analysis
What is an advantage for companies is a major disadvantage for the private man? By expounding his/her own profile in social networks, including all interests, unpleasant situations on own photos and comments, all data are open to the general public. Another important part of the night is cyberbullying. The threshold utter insults in social networks appear to be much lower due to the anonymity. In addition to the verbal abuse, rumours and embarrassing photos can be published, which harm one’s image. Other part, has been discussed on the Previous article on Privacy and Security.
This article has content from My own solo research work.
One copy of this article can be downloaded as pdf file, Licensed under a Creative Commons NC ND License with no re-publication rights, part or in full to any domain on the Internet.
