Netlog (previously called Facebox and Bingbox) is a Belgian social networking website meant for younger people in Europe. It was founded by Lorenz Bogaert and Toon Coppens in July 2003 in Ghent, Belgium. By 2007 it had attracted around 28 million members. It supports 40 international languages. Users can create a profile and add photos, join clans, post blogs, share videos and publish their music playlists. Just like other social networking websites, users can follow one another and add friends. They can also add events, music and video clips to their profiles. Further customization is provided through the library of professionally designed profile skins. Users can connect with people whom they know and make new friends through shared interests and mutual associates. The site has more than 96 million users throughout Europe and this number is increasing every day. The site is completely free of advertisements.
The minimum age to join the network is 13 years. You can change your profile by changing colors and background or you can choose from a selection of pre-made skins. The users can adjust the security settings of the profile as per the requirements. They can keep their profiles to be open or private as they want. They can adjust if their profile can be found using a simple search, or who specifically can access their profile, or if only people of the common age group and location can contact them. The Netlog whitelists and blacklists settings may be used to accept or block specific users.
It offers a free download of the Netlog 24 toolbar that alerts the users whenever they have a message or new friend request without being signed into the website. Unlike MySpace, HTML or CSS codes cannot be added to farther customize the profile. It also provides advanced inbox tools, privacy settings and visitor statistics so users can monitor the activities on their profiles. Some other convenient Netlog-related extras are also available for download, including the uploader that allows quick picture and video uploading along with the Netlog 24 desktop application.
This app is absolutely free to use. To join the Netlog community, go to the home page of the site and click the “Register Now!” link positioned at the top of the center. You will be directed to a new page where the registration form will ask for an email address, first and last name, date of birth, gender, password and city. Enter your details and the verification code. Submit the form. You will be advised to check your email inbox for a confirmation message. It will complete your registration process.
Credits are the currency on Netlog. You can purchase credits and use them for additional features like putting aspects of your profile in the spotlight. You also get free credits when you participate in various Netlog activities or when your friends register at Netlog based on your invitation. Netlog is not a promoter of meeting and networking with unknown people. This makes things a little difficult when searching for friends. It encourages you to upload your email address books to find your friends. A keyword box is provided to search for people, however the method is terribly inefficient.
At Netlog, the clans or groups are a little unusual and poorly organized. There is no “drill down” method and the categories are very general as well. For example, on selecting the Sports clan there will be only pages and pages of groups. There must be an ability to narrow or filter the search specifically for Baseball or Soccer and then by specific teams. Additionally, there should be the implementation of applications, which are becoming the necessity of social networking.
Pros:
- Free to join
- Skins lets the user change the style and design of the profile
- Images and videos offer more ways to customize the profile
- User can post updates or message one another
- Browser based games offer additional entertainment options
- Groups or clans can be created and joined
- Privacy settings allow users to control their profiles
- Find new contacts and old friends to enlarge your friend’s network
- Many efficiently designed coats for your profile
- Chat, private messages, send gifts, sign guestbooks
- Wide visitor statistics, advanced inbox, privacy tools and helpdesk
- Blogs let users share their thoughts
- Coolest online community with millions of members and thousands of groups
Cons:
- Search option does not work properly
- Unusual and poorly organized clans or groups
- HTML or CSS codes cannot be added to customize the profile
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