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The introduction of the Internet brought about profound changes in various aspects of society. It has turned into a far-reaching phenomenon that has been contemplated as one of the most powerful and important technological tools of today. The Internet plays an integral role in how we live our lives today. In truth, it would be difficult to define life without this technological tool as most of the activities we know are either directly affiliated or directly executed in this virtual landscape. From banking to shopping, the Internet is the ultimate avenue for all the tasks and endeavors we know.

Among the many platforms hosted by the Internet, the rise of social network services is one of the most successful and revolutionary. Today, computer-mediated social mediums like Facebook, Twitter, Buzznet and Coachsurfing are taking over the Internet by storm. Consequently, millions of people are regarding these websites as an important facet of their daily living that warrant them to share their creative ideas and thoughts to other people, set-up their own businesses, connect and reconnect with people without any regard to geographic location and to become educated about physical and virtual world.

To simply put it, a social network service is an online service that is especially developed to reflect and build social relations among individuals who share the same interests and activities. Sites that fall under this category contain the representations of each user, links to other relevant sites, and other additional services and applications. These computer-mediated social mediums can be categorized into three types: those sites that use categorical places, those sites used to connect and reconnect people with one another, and those recommendation systems that have links to trusts. But, with modern technological innovations, most of the online social-mediums we know today have integrated these functions together so that end-users don't have to transfer from one website to another to facilitate their activities.

Most social network platforms share some conventional features. Frequently, end-users are encouraged to create their own profiles consisting of relevant information pertaining about themselves. These sites also permit users to upload photos to their profiles, post blog entries for other people to read, send messages through the available messaging system, search for other individuals including artists and well-known personalities, and compile and share lists of contacts. Many social-mediums also dedicate a section on the user's profile where friends could post comments about a photo, video or a certain posts. In order to protect the privacy of end-users, these sites have pre-programmed controls that could be used by the user to choose who can view his or her profile. In some cases, there are online social-mediums that have extensive applications including the ability to create groups and affiliations, facilitate forums, real-time chatting and the capability to upload or stream videos.

If you're new with these web-based social platforms, it is rather unusual to find yourself simultaneously communicating with people from different locations. But, this oddness is what also makes social mediums special-they allow you to stay connected with the people you are fond of and curious about even just by checking and observing and to reconnect with people that you haven't contacted for so long without worrying about geographical location, traveling and shelling out some cash. They are also the perfect spot to find new people who share the same interest as you do, which in turn could become the start of a great friendship, or at times relationship. Furthermore, online networking sites are good channels to share your creative work and ideas with a global audience.

Aside from using online networking services on a personal level, they can also be utilized to facilitate professional pursuits. In fact, many companies have now turned into these mediums to tap into the network to search for prospective employees, clients and new collaborators. There are also multitudes of altruistic organizations that have brought their advocacies online for the world to know and take part in making significant changes to the lives of needy people. Nonetheless, the business prowess of these social-mediums should not be discounted as many entrepreneurs have successfully made a career out of online business with the aid of these tools. Generally, online social mediums are cost-efficient and effective means to promote all-encompassing positive changes in different aspects of the society including those sectors that work for education, public governance, entertainment, medicine and commerce among others.