Outlining and illustrating the idea for a platform that combines user-focused social networking and simplified blogging. For the [I.]First Part, I'll describe the platform's architecture then in the [II.]Second Part, explain the rationalization behind it's design.
[Part I.] Architecture
a.) Header: Bridgeye Header will always remain universal - even to non-registrants. Only includes links to Profile, Searchbox, Account and Sign Off for initial launch.
b.) Profile: The Profile is an entirely separate entity focused all about the person. The profile picture is on the right portion of the template. The left portion contains information and photo.
c.) Times: The three main feeds are: [1.] Personal Times: This feed contains all posts by the individual user. [2.] Connection Times: This feed contains all post by the user and their legitimate connections. [3.] Universal Times: This feed contains post that have been upvoted from 10% of the users' connections.
[Part II.] Reasons for designing the platform in those structures:
I intentionally wanted to experiment with the concept of transparency, minimal personalization, collective activity and a more complex infrastructure. However, over time, I think those are mistakes - I’m beginning to realize those are actually the major causes of Bridgeye’s poor attraction. Those are currently Bridgeye’s weaknesses. No one is utilizing the tools within the website, staying on the site or sharing because of two main reasons: 1.) the site is not simple and 2.) privacy and personalization was not emphasized.
We must not waste any more time on Bridgeye adding trivial functions. The structure is the underlying issue. However, that is not to say we must close Bridgeye. We can keep Bridgeye up while we work on the next project. And even then, we can use codes and algorithms for the new project; a project that addresses simplicity, privacy and personalization.
A large consideration for the type of product, I plan to construct a product that combines blogging with social media where personal profiles and a users’ ability to choose who can view their information is emphasized. All types of public or friend feeds will be eliminated - stripped down to the bare functions of putting information into a profile and searching and connecting with other friend’s profiles. This will be similar to facebook’s roots but the interface will be designed differently and individual user focused. Each user will be able to see updates from each of their friends who’s profiles are pooled together as several widgets. But when the small profiles are clicked, it will bring them to the user’s full profile. Every update from any user will move their small profile up. Later, we may consider incorporating a personal feed, friend feed and a world feed. The world feed will be posts that have been highly rated from personal or friend feeds.
a.) Although the marketing niche is "interests" it must revolve around friends/connections (professions, hobbies, music, etc). However, must start simple: Only a.)Header and b.)Profile will exist for beta. Header includes Searchbox however all Profiles are private until actually request to connect is granted. So we are no longer throwing a user into a pool unknown users and transparency - they choose who will see their information. Bridgeye currently has this functionality but it is not clearly laid out - simplicity and clarity in design is crucial. Individual space and privacy is as well.
b.) By having the three distinct. feeds (Times), it is simultaneously combining the works of blogging and social networking on one platform. Within Personal Times, the user may archive their posts while sharing them with friends in the Connection Times. And if a particular post gains attention from friends in the Connection Times, the friends can upvote it to be shown on the Universal Times which is public to all including non-registered individuals.
Everything great, created by humans, starts with an idea. Since the internet is currently the most universal medium on Earth, providing a web platform where users can share ideas with the world in a focalized structure would be a great catalyst to connecting people with similar endeavors and achieving it's reality.
(under construction -- to be continued...)
Outlining and illustrating the idea for a platform that combines user-focused social networking and simplified blogging. For the [I.]First Part, I'll describe the platform's architecture then in the [II.]Second Part, explain the rationalization behind it's design.