A social networking service is an online service, platform, or site that focuses on building and reflecting of social networks or social relations among people. Social networking sites allow users to share ideas, activities, events, and interests within their individual networks. As the increase in popularity of social networking is on a constant rise, creating own site has become a trend. However, if you are one of those who wants more control of the site, including the branding, the domain name, the features, the design, the community rule, or even the database, the best way is to install and run a social networking software on your server.
While there are plenty of scripts that you can use to run your own social network, there are only a few that are stable, good and easy to use.
BuddyPress
AROUNDMe
Anahita Social Engine
Sourceforge
Elgg
Mahara
Insoshi
Mixxt
Mugshot
Xoops
I have setup a Buddypress for my university before and it’s indeed a great social networking cms. Highly recommended.
i am using elgg for quite sometime,..and let me tell you…The CMS and tHE Community is the best..go for itt….