Q. I am working on a project to build a social networking web site from scratch using oracle database and an application server like Tomcat. Can any one with prior experience let me know what is the total cost I can expect to incur in execution of this project? Assumption is that this website will be able to support several million users.
What is the annual cost of oracle database?
What is the annual cost of oracle database?
A. I have a few experience in social network developments.
Before all, be aware that very few are successful: 99.9% of attempts go down the drain within a year.
Why? Because they are not ADVERTISED by any other means than the web. In other words, if they are not advertised using other medias (tV, radio, papers etc), they do not survive.
So, what is the cost?
A relatively complex social network will cost a few grands to set-up (expect 3-6k minimum for a "decent" site).
To the cost of development, of course, you have to add the domain and the server(s). At start, this is nearly "free": for $100, you have all you need.
Once set-up and fully tested, it needs to be promoted.
Here come the costs. It depends of the type of network you do. A SN for dentists, for example, will need to be advertised in all the specialised magazines for dentists, and that is not cheap.
You want a Facebook? You need a MASSIVE start-up for a few months, on TV and many other medias.
Fail that, and it simply "won't start".
But...
It HAS started, and you get a few thousands members...
The cost of your server will increase dramatically: you need dedicated server at start, and, once you reach the millions, a server FARM (more than one server).
It becomes worldwide? You need servers in different countries... and in different languages!
That means a TEAM of coders, available 24/7, to respond to the demand.
That, also, means powerful BANDWIDTH, a very expensive requirement. A SN like second-life pays several $1000's PER DAY for their bandwidth... But with 35,000 concurrent visitors a day, each one paying a few $... They are covered!
SN like Y!A are successful, because supported by big, large, powerful multinational companies.
In the end, a successful SN can only survice if it becomes a heavy business, with staff, infrastructure, admin and legal department.
That is a totally different ball game as making your own, little "Y!A" on your local server.
Successful websites (SN or not), are supported by serious money and professional staff.
Or they are not successful and go to oblivion a few months after birth.
Several million users? Between 2 and 5 million $ of investment. And 25% of turnover a year profit.
Before all, be aware that very few are successful: 99.9% of attempts go down the drain within a year.
Why? Because they are not ADVERTISED by any other means than the web. In other words, if they are not advertised using other medias (tV, radio, papers etc), they do not survive.
So, what is the cost?
A relatively complex social network will cost a few grands to set-up (expect 3-6k minimum for a "decent" site).
To the cost of development, of course, you have to add the domain and the server(s). At start, this is nearly "free": for $100, you have all you need.
Once set-up and fully tested, it needs to be promoted.
Here come the costs. It depends of the type of network you do. A SN for dentists, for example, will need to be advertised in all the specialised magazines for dentists, and that is not cheap.
You want a Facebook? You need a MASSIVE start-up for a few months, on TV and many other medias.
Fail that, and it simply "won't start".
But...
It HAS started, and you get a few thousands members...
The cost of your server will increase dramatically: you need dedicated server at start, and, once you reach the millions, a server FARM (more than one server).
It becomes worldwide? You need servers in different countries... and in different languages!
That means a TEAM of coders, available 24/7, to respond to the demand.
That, also, means powerful BANDWIDTH, a very expensive requirement. A SN like second-life pays several $1000's PER DAY for their bandwidth... But with 35,000 concurrent visitors a day, each one paying a few $... They are covered!
SN like Y!A are successful, because supported by big, large, powerful multinational companies.
In the end, a successful SN can only survice if it becomes a heavy business, with staff, infrastructure, admin and legal department.
That is a totally different ball game as making your own, little "Y!A" on your local server.
Successful websites (SN or not), are supported by serious money and professional staff.
Or they are not successful and go to oblivion a few months after birth.
Several million users? Between 2 and 5 million $ of investment. And 25% of turnover a year profit.
What does it take to run a social networking site?
Q. I know sites like mySpace and Facebook employ hundreds of people. Aren't these websites just automatically generated pages when the forms are filled out by the user? So aside from some maintenance and public relations staff, why would you need 150 or 200 person staff?
A. Security for one. In fact, MySpace really ought to up their security. They are hacked quite frequently. And in a number of ways. It's far too easy to mess with that site, and they're far too big of a target, too.
And hand-in-hand in that are the programmers who are STILL working on the code. Yeah, a program can work, but that doesn't mean that it's perfect, good, or efficient. I guarantee you, there's some things that they need to improve over time. Some things, in fact, that you, the end user, will never see.
And then there's new development. On Facebook, their platform is open, so anyone can develop applications for Facebook, but that doesn't mean good ol' Mark Zuckerberg doesn't have some apps he'd like his people to develop.
Social networking sites are way too complex to just put up an automatic website and leave it. Especially if they're growing. You're gonna have complaints from users, people will find bugs and report them, etc. Website administration for a big site like those are incredibly difficult.
And hand-in-hand in that are the programmers who are STILL working on the code. Yeah, a program can work, but that doesn't mean that it's perfect, good, or efficient. I guarantee you, there's some things that they need to improve over time. Some things, in fact, that you, the end user, will never see.
And then there's new development. On Facebook, their platform is open, so anyone can develop applications for Facebook, but that doesn't mean good ol' Mark Zuckerberg doesn't have some apps he'd like his people to develop.
Social networking sites are way too complex to just put up an automatic website and leave it. Especially if they're growing. You're gonna have complaints from users, people will find bugs and report them, etc. Website administration for a big site like those are incredibly difficult.
Where can I get my application secret besides facebook developers?
Q. I've looked all over the web, but I can't find where I can get my app. secret besides facebook developers! I know my app. id but not secret. Please help! Thanks!
A. Not an easy answer but here it goes. When you submit an app. since you developed it then you can also include a user id and password access to it.
My suggestion is for you to add those in your app. while in development and don't forget to add a session because its a good way to secure the app. from simple hacks.
When it is ready then release a newer version without the session or login.
My suggestion is for you to add those in your app. while in development and don't forget to add a session because its a good way to secure the app. from simple hacks.
When it is ready then release a newer version without the session or login.
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