The proliferation of social networking websites is accompanied by a lot of excitement. The possibilities of the format seem limitless. Many people (OK, maybe it is just me, but I don't think I’m all alone) find that after taking the work to put together a Facebook profile they are left with a a big, sad question “What do I do now?” For everyone who has ever struggled to find the entertainment in sending their friends imaginary cupcakes, there is now Unltdworld.com, a social networking website that aims to bring together socially conscious people and help them benefit their own communities. I found the site through Jemima Kiss's Digital Content Blog at the Guardian. Her interview with Unltdworld's manager gives a good, brief rundown of what they are all about. I have a couple of thoughts, some of which are more serious than others:
1. Unltdworld? Typing four additional letters would have been too arduous? I know that complaining about SMS-language is a horrible cliche, but so is self consciously abbreviating spellings.
2. I’ve only had time to go through the short tour, but it looks like a well designed site that offers the full range of standard social networking services, plus some useful additions. One is the research section, that allows users to access data on other projects. Another allows users to share resources, like documents and funding information.
3. I usually try to avoid commenting on sites that are specifically domestic philanthropy-oriented (this is a FOREIGN policy blog), and this seems to be aimed at people working in their own communities. Because the site wants to make money off selling premium services, I would guess a primarily European/North American membership for a while. But there is no reason that the same forum couldn't be used for foreign assistance projects, or by people in the developing world.
