This document provides a history of social media from 1960 to 2009. It discusses early platforms like PLATO, email, BBS systems, IRC, and the World Wide Web. Major social media sites are introduced, like Friendster in 2002, LinkedIn in 2003, MySpace and Flickr in 2004, and Facebook and YouTube in 2005. Twitter arrives in 2006 and Foursquare in 2009. The document outlines the growth of social media and how people's need for social connection online has evolved greatly over time.

1. Power Friending Introduction and Chapter One Eric Montgomery Kristy Richman

2. Introduction Friendship used to be face to face but now relies on constant communication in various forms.It allows people with weak ties to stay connected according to Dr. Michael Wesch. it is a digital safety net allowing hundreds of people to be friendsthe average person belongs to 3 different networking sitesadults using the sites jumped from 8% n 2005 to 35% in 2008

3. Chapter One: The History Brief summary on the start of social media and how it has changed over the years. The start of social media started with the beginning of the internet and chat rooms in 1960. Our book, “Power Friending” has a timeline from 1960-2009.

4. 1960’s Professor Don Blitzer and his associates at the University of Illinois design PLATO. PLATO: Allows authors and students to communicate with one another over connected terminals. Forming the first online community

5. 1970’s PLATO uses an early form of email, chat rooms, and instant messaging. 1971- Computer Engineer, Ray Tomlinson sends the very first email…to himself. Message was “Qwertyuiop” 1979- Ward Christensen develops first Electronic Bulletin Board System (BBS) Is a small personal computer attached to phone modems. Users can participate in file sharing and online games

6. 1980’s Jarkko Oikarinen creates the first Internet relay chat (IRC). This lets people participate in text chats online in “rooms” This was used to have conversations, share files, and share links.

7. 1990’s The world wide web (www) is finally made public and available to all. Before this the internet was only for the government, military purposes, and educational institutions. 1992- IBM makes the first smart phone prototype. Devices name was Simon. Had a calendar, address book, pager, phone, and other features. $900

8. 1990’s 1998- Instant Messaging soars to popularity. Better than IRC Allows people to have real time conversations online. 1999- Napster, peer-to-peer file sharing service for the music world. Allows the sharing and trading of music for free Putting a dent in the music business and record sales Live Journal was one of the earliest social networks. Allowed users to easily create blogs, and connect with friends. Blogs were used to only share personal moment.

9. 2000’s 2002- Friendster started the online friending phenomenon. Social network sites built to share with friends strictly over the internet The site did not last long for the users complaints of the sites poor user experience

10. 2000’s 2003- The first flash mob takes place in New York City. Flash mob is a group of people secretly getting together at one time to perform or have a demonstration at others expense Flash mobs are often organized over social media sites and mobile technologies. LinkedIn launches as a social network for professional relations Now has more than 50 Million users Used to find potential employees or employers. MySpace-A Place for friends. Way to connect with friends, blog, share photos. Tom Anderson (creator) is always the first friend. Now has over 33 million users in just the US.

11. 2000’s 2004- Facebook starts its world domination Has over 500 million users Flickr hits the web as a picture sharing community. Websites is now owned by Yahoo! Inc Hosts billions of photos world wide Web 2.0 is created. Publisher Tim O’Reilly is associated with its creation This defines a new set of Web sites launching more software applications

12. 2000’s 2005- Apple includes a podcast directory in its July iTunes release. Propels podcasting into mainstream media YouTube launches, allowing users to easily upload and share videos Google bought YouTube in 2006 for $1.65 billion

13. 2000’s 2006- Twitter arrives online and it is known as a micro messaging site, a mobile social network service or micro blogging site Users send and read messages called tweets Ability to write message in 140 characters or less Has over 175 million users today

14. 2000’s 2009- Foursquare is created. Location based service that allows users to check into where they are at a specific time. Games are played and statuses are given. The New Oxford Dictionary declares unfriend it’s new word of the year. Definition of unfriend “to removes someone as a ‘friend’ on a social networking site such as facebook.” Other words added were hashtag, sexting, and netbook.

15. Friending the Future The need for building social connections has not changed, we are constantly updating our way of life and the way we communicate. What is the online marketing plan? How will it change in the future? How does social media strategy go into play? Next Chapter-Chapter Two…The Fears of Social Media