MySpace is considering two options - joining Google's Open Social platform or launching its own developer platform. While joining Open Social would provide more users and resources in the short term, it would reduce MySpace's independence and brand influence by relying on Google. Developing its own platform would be more reliable, secure, and allow MySpace more control over design, but would require more costs and planning. The document provides advice on differentiating MySpace from competitors and exploring new revenue streams like offline events.

1. MYSPACE projectAngelaBernieJoyceMike

2. IntroductionMySpace is one of the world’s largest social networks, with about 125 million users.

3. In June 2006, MySpace became the most popular social networking site in the United States.

4. In April 2008, it was overtaken internationally by its main competitor, Face book, based on monthly unique visitorsDifferentiationAccept the members who are under 18Gave users complete control over their profile pagesDifferent way to treat profiles that represent cultural characters or collections of people The way MySpace incorporated social networking functionalityDo not have to worry about its site crashingAcquisition by News corp.

5. For the two options MySpace has:To join Google’s developer platform, Open Social.To launch its own developer platform to compete with Facebook.

6. For the first option:More usersLess independence For this first option, the more customer resources are brought in at the cost of losing its own Brand influence.

7. Open Social PlatformPrivacy ProtectionReputation of Google for business opportunitiesIncrease Production and ProductivityCensorship concerns

8. For the second options:More reliable and secure systemsMore costs and planning

9. About profit model:For SNS websites, the traditional profit model would be advertising and the sales of virtual gifts, tools online. It is really important for MySpace to think about new profit model before building its own platform.

10. Advice: to create more activities off-line while organizing activities on-line. MySpace is a place people find new friends, and it is interesting for people to really go out and hang out with new friends to attend off-line activities. It is reasonable for MySpace to charge fees to organize these activities.

11. About Competitor:Facebook is another big SNS website nowadays, and its users are all over the world. In order to compete with them, MySpace should be able to tightly hold the American users. It can also provide ads, hotlinks, and new topics especially to the interests and concerns of Americans. People will feel it is more than a SNS website, it can also provide more local information. MySpace should be a comprehensive website, and a place that everyone has interest to log in everyday to check out news, interesting things.

12. Our ideasAs a group, we tend to agree that MySpace will be better off by developing its own system since they will get more independence and freedom in designing their own system.However in the short run perspective, it is much faster to gain profit to join in the Open Social platform with Google.