Ashish Kumar from Tekriti Software

This is a continuation of my previous post “Why is GoingOn special“. In this one, I am going to talk about why is PeopleAggregator special for us:

In the first look, you will notice a lot of similarities in the 2 systems: GoingOn (referred to as GO, subsequently) and PeopleAggregator (referred to as PA) - since these both are social networks and let you create social networks on the fly. But, as you look closely, you will notice that these differ a lot in their treatment of the concepts. I hope to provide an insight into the differentiation through this post.

• New platform to create social networks, built from scratch: Like GoingOn, PeopleAggregator also lets you create social networks on the fly but the programming model is very different in the 2 systems. While GoingOn is built on the top of Drupal, PeopleAggregator code architecture is object oriented built from scratch using PHP5. There are a set of programmers who prefers one approach from the other and this model will suit them more.
• Code will be available for download, for the basic use: Apart from being a hosted platform for people to create their social networks, PeopleAggregator code will also be available for download free for ‘basic’ use - shortly. There will be a licensing model for the other use. So, you can go to the site, and join or spawn off your networks. Alternatively, you can also download the code, set it up which can create a social network - which, in turn, can spawn off multiple social networks themselvs.
• Meta Network functionality and Structured Blogging Integration: The 2 systems (GO and PA) are very identical in their treatment of meta-network concept, with ability to create social networks on the fly and making them discoverable through a network directory. Apart from this - PeopleAggregator also utilizes StructuredBlogging as its default content publishing platform.
• Notion of Private and Public Pages: Haven’t you ever felt the need of having a separate version of your page when you look at it as compared to when others look at it? On a private page - the need is felt for a different layout, different controls, different color themes, etc. PeopleAggregator solves it by providing 2 different pages for a user to customize - your private page and your public page.
• Groups inside a Network: Not only can you create a network, you can also create groups inside a network to create a sub-community with similar interests. A group also has a group blog, a group media gallery.
• PeopleAggregator APIs to interact with the other systems: Open APIs is the way to go. PeopleAggregator exposes APIs to create a group, establish a relation with another member, post and retrieve blogs, add and send messages - and this list will only grow with time.
• Multiple ID login system: One of the most novel feature is to provide multiple ID login system. So, if you want to login to a PeopleAggregator system - you don’t have to be a registered member of the site. You can login using your Flickr account, for example, and the system will pull in your profile details in the system.
• Marc Canter: Oh, of course, how can anything about PeopleAggregator be complete without mentioning that it’s totally a brain-child of Marc Canter.

PeopleAggregator is under closed alpha now and will be opened to general public at the end of the next month. If you are interested more in this, you should keep an eye on Marc’s blog for the updates and announcements.

So - both the systems have their own place in the world and are excellent systems (Disclaimer: Both the products are built by my company and we are proud of both). They are just catering to a different audience.