Looking for Social Networking software

[deronsizemore]

I've got a site idea in which I would like to move forward with, but the problem is that I'm not a developer, so I cannot develop this on my own. So, with that said, I'm at the mercy of what's already available as far a content management systems go.

I use Expression Engine for my websites, but for what I'm wanting with this new site, Expression Engine really isn't tailored for it although it's possible, it would take a high amount of customization to get it to work properly.

Here are some basic features in what I'm needing for this site:

1. Member Registration

2. Member Profiles where members can upload photos, a description, location, etc. Possibly member blog/comments functionality (but not essential)

3. Search functionality where members can search for other members

Right now, that's basically all that I need. Just a basic site to start out and if it grows I can add on later. There are numerous Social Networking software out there, but I've not really heard good things about any of them.

I downloaded phpiZabi (http://ww2.phpizabi.net/)a while back and it was terrible. A lot of people look at phpiZabi as the leader right now in Social Networking software and if that's the case, I might as well stop the looking process because I won't deal with that mess again.

I found osDate (http://www.tufat.com/script39.htm)which is free and open source, but it's more of a dating software, although I belive it has majority of the features I'm looking for.

[pbradish]

Techcrunch ran a nice article recently about different social networking software. Let me see if I can dig it up.

[pbradish]

http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/07/24/9-ways-to-build-your-own-social-network/

and

http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/14/34-more-ways-to-build-your-own-social-network/

[deronsizemore]

Thanks for the list, I'll check them out. Looks like a lot I've not heard of before.

[pbradish]

Some are free, and some are paid custom solutions I believe.