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WIDE ANGLE: Top 10 Social Networking Sites

by Jonathan Strickland, Howstuffworks.com
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Nothing has changed the Web more than the rise of social networking sites. Before social networking, the World Wide Web was full of interesting information, but there was little opportunity to contribute or participate. Information flowed one way: from the Web to the user.

Today, social networking sites are fulfilling the potential of the Web: connecting people across the globe. But why do they matter so much?

"With social networks, we're able to visualize the connections between individuals, says Fred Stutzman, Ph.D. student and teaching fellow, School of Information and Library Science at UNC Chapel Hill. "Even if the value or magnitude of the connection is the same for everyone (and that doesn't mirror real life), knowing the connections between individuals helps us better understand them, who they are connected to, and how they are connected to us."

If Stutzman is right, understanding the way these networking sites work will help us understand ourselves and our friends. So read on to discover the 10 social networking sites that you should know about today.
 
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