Practicum 5

As much as I don't really enjoy going to Migente as a social networking site I must say there are some pretty cool options when it comes to customization. You can add songs to your profiles, change up the layout, and even switch to different color schemes. For me I think the website has become this sort of post-Facebook relic of what social networking sites used to look like, i.e. Myspace. I feel like Facebook has now set the standard for social networking sites, and all the past SNS's are either shattered versions of themselves quietly dying in the far corners of cyberspace, or old relics that are relegated to mere novelties of a once thriving and diverse scene. Maybe it is a good thing to have one centralized website where everyone goes to get there social networking fix, it might make networking a lot easier. 

But then again, sites like Migente cater to a different audience, one that embraces the quirky and sometimes tacky customizations that made Myspace so popular at one time. Danny made a reference in class about how Facebook is like the suburbs; nice, clean, and orderly, and Myspace is like the city, cluttered, noisy, and filled with people of color. Its no surprise that Migente, an obvious offshoot of Myspace, is full of latinos, obviously with a title like Migente thats what it was designed to be. It's a place where people who share common cultural, traditions, practices, and languages can get together, network with each other, connect, and customize their social networking site as an overt expression of themselves.

I will admit, Facebook has sterilized my tastes when it comes to SNS. Regardless, I feel like the reason I think these customizations are so cool is because I haven't seen or used them since Myspace. I would compare it to that feeling of nostalgia you get when you find your favorite toy from childhood. Although you don't really want to play with it because of the social backlash you might receive from society, its nevertheless something you used to enjoy, and it reminds you of your roots. Your SNS roots that is.

Here's a screenshot of one of the customization pages