Three types of systems. Currently, Facebook follows the first diagram, but should aspire to (B) or (C). {cffn.ca}
Unbeknown to most (because they fail to read the terms of service), individual content posted on a social network site becomes the property of the network. In turn, the network can most likely use the content in any way it sees fit. Furthermore, centrally-located information remains a risk for hackers due to its high density (read: bang for the buck). Fortunately, researchers at Duke University are currently exploring new and improved structures for social networks. The concepts have been around for ages and now it is a matter of utilizing technological advances. Landon Cox, a Duke University assistant professor of computer science explains:
“The basic idea is that users would control and store their own information and then share it directly with their friends instead of it being mediated through a site like Facebook. And there are some interesting challenges that go along with decomposing something like Facebook into a peer-to-peer system.
Such challenges include the availability of content and speed of delivery. Facebook, for example, has neither of these problems. Proposed decentralized solutions include:
- Host each social network user’s “Virtual Individual Server” on his or her own desktop. Problem: the computer must remain on in order to serve the user’s content.
- Distribute individual servers within clouds of servers. Problem: Cost. Amazon’s Elastic Computer Cloud costs $50/mo for one server.
- “Hybrid decentralization” – a combination of #1 and #2. The cloud server will be used when desktops go offline.
