Open Source Social Networking: Diaspora

Diaspora, a new social networking site, is set to launch on September 15th. The launch is an important one not because it will add to the wealth of social networking sites already available, but because it could become a serious challenger to Facebook on the grounds that it is open source.

Unlike other social networking sites, Diaspora will allow users to download their software package in order to install it on their own personal websites. Although there may be a point where Diaspora hosts a parent site for users, the current plan is to allow clients to customize it to fit their personal websites, effectively littering itself over the internet from various locations.

How is this beneficial to web developers? Instead of creating a Facebook page entirely separate from your website, you will be able to have a page set aside on your own URL that connects you to other Diaspora users, giving you more control over the look, location, and usability of the network. Instead of feeling spread thinly across several different platforms through several different accounts, all your social media needs – status updates, news, events, forums, photo uploads, and whatever else you can think of – will be centralized.

Want to try Diaspora and keep all your other accounts? No problem. Diaspora will allow you to amass your content from other sites by aggregating your feeds from Twitter, Flickr, Facebook, and any other site you may currently enjoy.

To learn more, visit PC World: The Anti-Facebook Arrives September 15: Will You Switch?

Tag: social networking open source diaspora web development twitter facebook