Building "Friend Maker": My Venture into Automated Social Networking on MySpace

The Concept of Friends on MySpace

On MySpace, 'friends' were not just personal acquaintances but also a way to broaden one's social network. The more friends you had, the greater your visibility and reach. This concept of friends became a currency of popularity and influence. Users, especially marketers, quickly realized that having a vast network of friends wasn't just about social clout; it was an opportunity to market products and ideas.

The Challenge: Acquiring Friends

However, building a vast network of friends was a tedious and time-consuming process. Each friend request had to be sent out manually, and building a network could take countless hours. This challenge led me to an intriguing project that combined my interest in technology with the burgeoning world of social networking.

The Birth of Friend Maker

I was approached by an individual who wanted to automate the process of acquiring friends on MySpace. His goal was straightforward: expand his network without investing substantial time or money. Given the technological limitations of that era - particularly the inability for a single computer to maintain multiple connections to a service - this was no small task.

My Solution

Leveraging my experience from the early '80s at Digital Equipment Corporation, where I dabbled in developing some of the first networking protocols, I devised a plan. I purchased ten old Pentium class computers from eBay and got to work. These machines, though outdated, were sufficient for the task at hand.

Developing the Software

I developed software that coordinated these ten machines, automating the process of sending out friend requests on MySpace. This system, which I fondly named "Friend Maker," was a marvel of its time. It efficiently sent out requests, significantly expanding the user's network without the need for constant manual input.

Success and Drawbacks

Friend Maker worked impressively well, but it wasn't without its drawbacks. The system, while efficient, annoyed many users who received these automated requests. Furthermore, from a financial standpoint, this venture didn't turn out as profitable as anticipated.

The Aftermath

After its operational period, I was left with ten bulky tower systems. These machines ended up in storage for about 25 years, occupying space and eventually becoming obsolete. Disposing of them was another challenge, as electronic waste can't simply be thrown out. The cost of recycling these systems was another dent in my pocket, adding to the overall loss from the project.

Reflection

In retrospect, Friend Maker was a fascinating project that combined early networking knowledge with the social media trends of the time. Despite the financial loss and the logistical challenges it posed, it stands as a testament to the innovative spirit and the ever-evolving landscape of technology and social networking.