W3C Workshop on the Future of Social Networking

W3C is organizing a Workshop hosted by Ready People and UPC (Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya) on the Future of Social Networking, with a high level goal of bringing together the world experts on social networking design, management and operation in a neutral and objective environment where the social networking history to date can be examined and discussed, the risks and opportunities analyzed and the state of affairs accurately portrayed. Based on the facts and a consensus-based industry landscape, plans for the future can be made by the industry participants.This is a gathering of mobile network operators, architects, designers, managers, operators and philosophers of communities who understand and want to work to solve the issues facing the progress of social media and social networking with an emphasis on mobile platforms with and without PC accessible destinations.

Background

Social networks are increasingly going to appeal to people who are on the go. Whether using the mobile Web or handset applications, many "made-for-mobile" communities have a web presence available on PC; conversely on-line communities must offer their participants mobile access when the participant is without their PC and when social media is captured on the mobile device.

Social networking is a complex, large and rapidly expanding sector of the information economy. The impacts of emerging social networking tools will be far-reaching. For example, user-generated content is causing changes in the traditional content/media industry structure. In the future, community features could be an integral part of all digital (Web and other) experiences — from information/publishing to business and entertainment.

Companies providing services for social media and social networking, or adding social networking features to existing services, must anticipate and begin working to resolve barriers to industry growth and stability. W3C believes there needs to be a time and place where the various actors of this industry can gather and discuss the challenges they'll need to face together to allow for healthy market expansion in the future. See our analysis of why now is the right time for this workshop.

Workshop URI
http://www.w3.org/2008/09/msnws/
Agenda URI (15-16 January 2009, Barcelona)
http://www.w3.org/2008/09/msnws/agenda.html
Venue URI
http://www.w3.org/2008/09/msnws/venue.html
Papers URI
http://www.w3.org/2008/09/msnws/papers/

To reach the campus:

• Underground (Metro), green line (number 3), stop: "Palau Reial"
• bus 54, 33 or 213
• Taxi: street Dulcet, 3 (Barcelona, Spain, in googlemaps), by street Sor Eulalia d'Anzizu

There will be arrows from the street to the right entrance to the building and the conference room.

Should you have any problem, please contact the host of our workshop, Marcel Medina Juventeny at <m.medina@readypeople.com> or at +34 664 209 208 (mobile phone).