MySpace
is a free social networking internet service which enables its registered members to communicate through blogs, an internal e-mail system, and web forums. Members can also upload and display photos and other information on their profile.
MySpace was founded in 2003 as a web portal for musicians. Artists were provided a means of sharing music as well as information on future concert locations. The website's userbase has since grown beyond musicians. As of 2005 there are 38 million MySpace users, most of whom are around 22 years of age.
Many mainstream music groups also have promotional pages on the site and celebrities such as Jason Mraz, Dane Cook, Kelly Osbourne, and Tommy Lee, have said in interviews that they have or had profiles in the site.
Prior to the current site, the MySpace.com domain was a virtual drive service that shut down years ago when the dot-com bubble burst. The current MySpace service was founded in July 2003 by Tom Anderson, the current President, Chris DeWolf, the current CEO, and a small team of programmers. It was partially owned by Intermix Media, which was bought in July 2005 for $580 million by Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation (the parent company of Fox Broadcasting and other media enterprises).
Website features
Many users find MySpace a way to meet dates and friends and stay in touch with them. Others become members only so as to access extra features, pictures and blogs of profiles.
MySpace is a publicity tool. Members post bulletins and blog announcements, and invite friends to events. Musicians and fans promote their music and performances through the site.
MySpace also began a record label, intending to sign musicians who are popular in the site. Events are common - such as a two-year anniversary party at Dodger Stadium guested by major bands like Dashboard Confessional and All-American Rejects
Problems
* Many people enjoy their freedom in MySpace to express themselves by customising their profiles. Unfortunately this freedom permits malformed HTML, CSS, videos, or Flash animations in profiles. This can sometimes render unreadable text or loud music, and may strain system resources or even crash the web browser. While the most malicious is filtered out, some users have still found ways to insert disruptive HTML.
* In July 2005 Kuro5hin reported a cross site scripting (XSS) vulnerability on MySpace. In October 2005, a user "Samy" exploited this vulnerability creating a worm which added millions of people to his buddy list, and forced MySpace to go offline for maintenance.
* Chain letters, and intimidating messages that MySpace will charge money or shut down, circulate the bulletin boards.
* Many users experience chronic login problems on a regular basis.