The computer and the network

Social networks are interesting. They represent the evolution of the computer and network.

First there were PCs. Then came local networks with printer and file sharing and e-mail. Originally the networks were to extend the capabilities of the PC. They were originally called "computer networks", i.e. computers linked together. This changed over time and the network became more important. Instead of the network being useful to the PC, the PCs purpose was to enable a network.

This continued as the networks extended out to the Internet and Web by the late 1990s.

Today we are seeing the next step in the evolution. The underlying network is becoming less important. The social network is becoming more important. Instead of social networking being an application of the Internet network, the network's purpose is becoming to enable social networking.

Social networking like Facebook is interesting because the network on its own is just inanimate technology. Instead of connecting computers to other computers, social networks are about enabling people to connect with other people. It becomes less about the technology and more about people meeting and interacting.