Social Networking

One Person’s junk is another person’s treasure. When I think of Ebay, this is the foremost though that comes to my mind. However, that is not meant to diminish or downplay the importance of Ebay. Ebay’s emergence can be attributed to the fact that everyone can be a seller or buyer. Imagine going to a store where you can buy or sell anything you desired. The items offered on Ebay cross a broad spectrum and vary from products such as electronics, cars, to even a “ Real Live Ghost! Trapped in a Box! “. The Ghost in the box was up to $26.99 the last time I checked. If buying a ghost was not enough, then having the ability to negotiate your selling or buying price would be icing on the cake. While there are many benefits to using Ebay there are also disadvantages. For the seller, the possibility of not making any money is the ultimate downside. On the other hand the buyer always has to put their trust in the seller, hoping that the item they are bidding on is the same as in the description offered.

Reach out and touch someone. This was the slogan used by the telecommunications giant AT&T during the 1980’s. While technology has grown leaps and bounds this ideology lives on albeit in a different format. A popular site that endorses this concept is Facebook. Although it started out as a way for college students to interact with their fellow college mates it soon outgrew this purpose. Today Facebook is one of the premier social network sites accessible to everyone above the age of 13. It allows me to communicate with my friends and family. Not only does it allow me to see what my friends and family are up to but also it introduces me to their friends and contacts. Is it this ability to interact with other users that made Facebook so successful.