LinkSMS is a new Facebook application that allows friends and family send SMS anywhere in the world via Facebook. Developed by Twelfth Imagination courtesy of a Nigerian named Segun Okin and launched on Facebook on the 10th of July 2008, LinkSMS like the usual mobile phone and internet, connects users irrespective of their location, distance or mobile network.

How does it work?

Both the sender and the reciever is required to add the Link SMS application to his/her Facebook account. Also the LinkSMS Toll Free Service makes it possible for users to allow specific friends get in touch with them at no cost through the application.

Each message costs 1 SMS credit no matter the destination country. You can also share SMS credits with your friends. Upon adding linkSMS you will be given 4 free SMS credits and another 4 for every batch of 20 friends who install the application through your referral link.

What’s more?

Still keeping friends connected on Facebook, users can always contact each other even when they change locations or mobile numbers. All they need to do is change their registered number on the LinkSMS application and their friends can always reach them. SMS credits are also available for purchase.

Why I Use this Service?

Link SMS ensures user privacy since mobile numbers are never displayed.

Afrizi was initially launched last year as a city business guide before it was re-launched as a social networking site. The Alpha version was launched on the 4th of June, 2008. Afrizi attempts to connect Africans and friends of Africans within Africa and anywhere else in the world.

Like other social networking sites, Afrizi provides basic services such as photo sharing, blogs, discussions etc However, the site has added a feature called “ad place” which allows users to post free classified ads.
 
What is unique about Afrizi?

The site offers a unique service whereby users can generate income by promoting their own pages and attracting advertisers to place ads using the unique “URL” which is automatically allocated when users sign up. Other features of the site include a Public Trail that allows users to see what activities other users are engaged with in their network.

How does this work?

A user page ranking will automatically be generated to rate pages based on user activity through “Page Worth” – a page ranking system that uses a proprietary algorithm. The idea is to determine user pageworthiness and the value for which advertisers will be paying.

What’s my take on this?
 
Afrizi would become a very powerful social utility site where people can create networks, add value and have fun.

If you like this blog, you can subscribe to the feeds. You can also save this article to digg, delicious, stumbleupon or sturvs.

Naija Crowd is an online community like Facebook where Nigerians keep in touch or simply re-connect with their friends, meet new friends, share photos & videos and create/join/participate in blogs, forums & discussions. The site’s features allows users to see your latest activities on your profile, just like Facebook. For example, when you make comments, write a blog post, update your profile, etc, although you can always change the settings, if you want.

One unique feature about Naija Crowd is its badges & widgets that you can embed into your website/blog or myspace profile that dynamically updates with the networks most popular members. Also, the widgets allows you to display your photos in a stylish photo slideshow player.

The site has the usual features of a social network such as blogs, forums, discussions, news, live chat, videos, photos, etc The site also features a guestbook on slide that allows users to add a photo and a message which displays all the photos & messages added in a slideshow.

When you sign up, you get a profile url like this: {http://www.naijacrowd.com/profile/yourname} and an email address like: yourname{at}naijacrowd.com You can also add photos and videos to Naija Crowd from your phone by sending them to your ‘naija crowd email address’. Sign up is simple and easy!

With over 700 members and growing everyday, Naija Crowd might soon become a replacement for Facebook, as it’s already been called NaijaFacebook by some members.

If you like this blog, you can subscribe to the feeds. You can also save this article to digg, delicious, stumbleupon or sturvs and muti.

iGbadun (pronounced ee-gba-doon) is a Nigerian Online Community that connects people all over the world. iGbadun.com alows you to maintain your existing relationships by connecting with old friends as well as making new friends. The name “iGbadun” was derived from the yoruba word (a Nigerian language) for “enjoy”.

Like other social networking sites, you can share your photos, listen to music, talk in the ever-amusing and ever-controversial anonymous blog…and much more. The site has a music lounge that features the from newest songs to some old songs, from Fela to Lagbaja, from 2face to 9ice, and from Styl-plus to Faze. However, you can only listen to the songs with a Firefox or Safari browser, which I think doesn’t make for a universal appeal, as people who use Internet Explorer can not listen to music on the site.

iGbadun.com also offers job opportunities for people interested in making a difference in the growing Nigerian social networking environment while having fun.

The site started since January 2006, but has not experienced good traffic to make it stand the competition with other social networking sites in Nigeria such as Legwork and Naijapals. For one thing, the site has limited features that has prevented it from penetrating into the Nigerian online community. Features such as forums, groups, videos, instant messaging, live chat, etc are getting a lot of attention in Nigeria’s social networking sites.

Since the site doesn’t seem to have a vibrant online community, it raises the question: Is iGgadun.com Loosing Appeal from Nigerian Social Networkers?

In my opinion, iGbadun.com needs to introduce more interesting features that would attract members to the site. Apart from this, the site has a nice interface and design with unique pictures of people dancing that tells that the site is about enjoyment and fun - yeah, iGbadun…iEnjoy!

If you like this blog, you can subscribe to the feeds. You can also save this article to digg, delicious, stumbleupon or sturvs and muti.

ng-nexus is a new social networking platform for a class of intellectuals as well as professionals. The name NG was coined from Nigeria Graduates, while NEXUS implies connections. The site offers Nigerian Graduates the opportunity to interact with one another and make strong connections regarding job placements and entrepreneurial opportunities.

ng-nexus has an array of features ranging from the web-based year book to enable alumni of respective schools in Nigeria, UK and US stay in touch with one another. Although, the platform was launched mid- April, many individuals are already taking advantage of the site.

The idea of a social networking site for nigerian graduates sounds like what Facebook was when it first started - a social site for college students. The site has other similar features of a social network such as blogs, forums, groups, events, classifieds etc as well as music and videos. It also features live chat and instant messaging.

In my opinion, the site would bring Nigerian graduates together to one common purpose, but may have an alumni-style of social networking.

ng-nexus is powered by Xploits Precepts Limited, a knowledge management consulting firm based in Nigeria. The company is managed by young intellectuals who are products of the University of Benin (ranked 42nd in the top 100 Universities in Africa, according to Webometrics).

If you like this blog, you can subscribe to the feeds. You can also save this article to digg, delicious, stumbleupon or sturvs and muti.