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Talkomatic was the first ever multi-user online chat system. It was created by Doug Brown and David R. Woolley in 1973 on the PLATO System at the University of Illinois. (Falk, J.K., & Drayton, B. (2015). Creating and Sustaining Online Professional Learning Communities. Teachers College Press, New York.)
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The earliest known form of online Social Media launches, the Bulletin Board System (BBS), which remains popular until the 1990s. (Shah, S. (2016). A history of Social Media. Retrieved from: https://www.digitaltrends.com/features/the-history-of-social-networking/)
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Fidonet, a network to organise BBS was created by Tom Jennings. (BBS: The Documentary 2005. Documentary. Jason Scott Sadofsky. Accessed 25 June, 2017.)
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Internet Relay Chat software invented by Jarkko Oikarinen. The software is still used today. Oikarinen, J. (n.d.) IRC history. Retrieved from http://www.irc.org/history_docs/jarkko.html
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The first ever official social media website Sixdegrees.com is created. The SNSs touted that it would link its users together ‘via six degrees of separation'. (Kuss, D. J., & Griffiths, M. D. (2011). Online social networking and addiction-A review of the psychological literature. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 8(9), 3528-3552. doi:10.3390/ijerph8093528)
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Popular instant messenger platform A(OL)IM is released. Petronzio, M. (2012). A brief history of social media. Retrieved from http://mashable.com/2012/10/25/instant-messaging-history/#Cf.U0DPWfPqf
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Another popular Instant Messenger Program Yahoo! IM is released. Petronzio, M. (2012). A brief history of social media. Retrieved from http://mashable.com/2012/10/25/instant-messaging-history/#Cf.U0DPWfPqf
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MSN Messenger (also known as Windows Live Messenger), a popular messaging, video and voice calling service, launches. Petronzio, M. (2012). A brief history of social media. Retrieved from http://mashable.com/2012/10/25/instant-messaging-history/#Cf.U0DPWfPqf
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The first SNS closes. Kuss, D. J., & Griffiths, M. D. (2011). Online social networking and addiction-A review of the psychological literature. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 8(9), 3528-3552. doi:10.3390/ijerph8093528
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SNS and gaming website Friendster launches. Very popular across the Asia-Pacific region. Boyd, D. M., & Ellison, N. B. (2007). Social Network Sites: Definition, history, and scholarship. Journal of Computer‐Mediated Communication, 13(1), p. 210-230. doi: 10.1111/j.1083-6101.2007.00393.x
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Business professional orientated SNS LinkedIn launches. Boyd, D. M., & Ellison, N. B. (2007). Social Network Sites: Definition, history, and scholarship. Journal of Computer‐Mediated Communication, 13(1), p. 210-230. doi: 10.1111/j.1083-6101.2007.00393.x
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SNS website MySpace Launches. Adopted with enthusiasm by a teenage, young adult demographic. Boyd, D. M., & Ellison, N. B. (2007). Social Network Sites: Definition, history, and scholarship. Journal of Computer‐Mediated Communication, 13(1), p. 210-230. doi: 10.1111/j.1083-6101.2007.00393.x
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popular VoIP and SNS program Skype launches. Skype. (2017). About Skype. Retrieved from https://www.skype.com/en/about/
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Flickr, an image and video hosting website, launches. Very popular for photo storage. Boyd, D. M., & Ellison, N. B. (2007). Social Network Sites: Definition, history, and scholarship. Journal of Computer‐Mediated Communication, 13(1), p. 210-230. doi: 10.1111/j.1083-6101.2007.00393.x
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The original incarnation of Facebook, known as thefacebook.com is launched by 19 year old Harvard student Mark Zuckerberg as a student-only SNS. Kuss, D. J., & Griffiths, M. D. (2011). Online social networking and addiction-A review of the psychological literature. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 8(9), 3528-3552. doi:10.3390/ijerph8093528
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Orkut, an SNS owned by google is launched. Sloane, G. (1 July, 2014). A Look Back at Google’s History of Social Media Failures. Retrieved from http://www.adweek.com/digital/look-back-googles-history-social-media-failures-158700/
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Another SNS, Bebo (Blog Early, Blog Often) Launches. Boyd, D. M., & Ellison, N. B. (2007). Social Network Sites: Definition, history, and scholarship. Journal of Computer‐Mediated Communication, 13(1), p. 210-230. doi: 10.1111/j.1083-6101.2007.00393.x
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News Corp acquires SNS MySpace for $580 million. AOL acquires Bebo social network (13 March, 2008). BBC News. Retrieved From: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7294174.stm
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Youtube, the first video sharing SNS launches. Boyd, D. M., & Ellison, N. B. (2007). Social Network Sites: Definition, history, and scholarship. Journal of Computer‐Mediated Communication, 13(1), p. 210-230. doi: 10.1111/j.1083-6101.2007.00393.x
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Facebook launches its photo sharing feature. Becomes the first SNS with an unlimited upload quota for photos. Kanalley, C. (3 August, 2011). A history of Facebook Photos (INFOGRAPHIC). Huffington Post. Retrieved from: http://www.huffingtonpost.com.au/entry/facebook-photos-infographic_n_916225
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140 character per post SNS Twitter launches. Bainbridge, J., Beasley, C., & Tynan, L. ( 2015) ‘The digital and social media environment’, in J Bainbridge, N Goc & L Tynan (eds), Media and journalism: New approaches to theory and practice, Oxford University Press, Melbourne. p. 65-92.
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VK (VKontakte), a Russian-based social networking service similar to Facebook, launches. Popular across Europe. Mezzofiore, G. (2 April, 2014). Russia's Mark Zuckerberg Resigns as VKontakte CEO. International Business Times. Retrieved from http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/russias-mark-zuckerberg-resigns-vkontakte-ceo-1443012
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Facebook launches its newsfeed, an algorithmically generated newsfeed of posts from friends that constantly updates and refreshes. Facebook gets a facelift. (2006). Retrieved from: https://www.facebook.com/notes/facebook/facebook-gets-a-facelift/2207967130/
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Youtube is purchased by Google for $1.7 billion. Associated Press. (10 October, 2006). Google Buys YouTube for $1.65 Billion. NBCNews. Retrieved from: http://www.nbcnews.com/id/15196982/ns/business-us_business/t/google-buys-youtube-billion/#.WYatecaPDeQ
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Tumblr, a microblogging SNS founded by David Karp launches. Tumblr. (2017). About tumblr. Retrieved from https://www.tumblr.com/about
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SNS feed aggregator FriendFeed is launched. Crunchbase. (2017). FriendFeed. Retrieved from https://www.crunchbase.com/organization/friendfeed#/entity
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AOL buys SNS Bebo for $850 million. AOL acquires Bebo social network (13 March, 2008). BBC News. Retrieved From: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7294174.stm
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Facebook purchases SNS feed aggregator FriendFeed for $15 million in cash and $32 million in stock. Siegler, M. (10 August, 2009). The Cost Of FriendFeed: Roughly $50 Million In Cash And Stock. TechCrunch. Retrieved from https://techcrunch.com/2009/08/10/the-cost-of-friendfeed-roughly-50-million-in-cash-and-stock/
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Pinterest, a photo sharing SNS. This services allows users to submit images or "pins", then other users can "pin" them on their own blogs or "Pinboards". Spenser, M. W. (11 August, 2011). Pinning: These are a few of my favorite things. My San Antonio. Retrieved From http://www.mysanantonio.com/life/article/Pinning-These-are-a-few-of-my-favorite-things-1882964.php
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Photo sharing SNS Instagram Launches. Instagram. (2017). Our Story. Retrieved From: https://instagram-press.com/our-story/
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Temporary image based IM application Snapchat is launched by Stanford Graduates Evan Speigel and Bobby Murphy. Ang, S. (13 Feburary, 2014). 11 things you didn't know about snapchat's founders. Mashable Australia. Retrieved from: http://mashable.com/2014/02/13/snapchat-founder-facts/#36onwgrkAgqT
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Microsoft acquires Skype Technologies for $8.5 billion. Toor, A. (14 October, 2011). Microsoft finalizes acquisition of Skype, Tony Bates shares his thoughts (video). Engadget. Retrieved from https://www.engadget.com/2011/10/14/microsoft-finalizes-acquisition-of-skype-tony-bates-shares-his/
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Googles very own SNS Google+ launches. Google. (2011). Introducing the Google+ project: Real-life sharing, rethought for the web. Retrieved from https://googleblog.blogspot.com.au/2011/06/introducing-google-project-real-life.html
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Specific Media acquires MySpace from News Corp for $35 million. BBC News. (29 June, 2011). MySpace sold to Specific Media by Murdoch's News Corp. Retrieved from: http://www.bbc.com/news/business-13969338
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"Twitter overhauls its website to feature the "Fly" design, which the service says is easier for new users to follow and promotes advertising. In addition to the Home tab, the Connect and Discover tabs are introduced along with a redesigned profile and timeline of Tweets" - Wikipedia. Fox News (2011). Twitter 2.0: Everything You Need to Know About the New Changes. Retrieved from: http://www.foxnews.com/tech/2011/12/09/what-need-to-know-about-new-twitter.html?test=faces
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Snapchat launched 10 second video sharing between users. Gallahgar, B. (12 December, 2012) Snapchat Releases Video Sharing, Is Prototyping Monetization Features (Oh, And It’s Still Not For Sexting). Tech Crunch. Retrieved From: https://techcrunch.com/2012/12/14/snapchat-does-video/
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SNS 'dating' application Tinder Launches. Crook, J. (2015). A Brief History Of Tinder. TechCrunch. Retrieved from: https://techcrunch.com/gallery/a-brief-history-of-tinder/slide/17/
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Facebook acquires Instagram for $1 billion in cash and stock. Stern, J. (9 April, 2012). Facebook Buys Instagram for $1 Billion. ABC News, Retrieved From: http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/technology/2012/04/facebook-buys-instagram-for-1-billion/
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Vine, a widely popular video sharing and SNS, launches shortly after being acquired by Twitter for $30 million. Kafka, P. (9 October, 2012) Twitter Buys Vine, a Video Clip Company That Never Launched. All things D. Retrieved from http://allthingsd.com/20121009/twitter-buys-vine-a-video-clip-company-that-never-launched/
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Instagram launches video sharing. Taylor, C. (2013). Instagram Launches 15-Second Video Sharing Feature, With 13 Filters And Editing. TechCrunch. Retrieved from: https://techcrunch.com/2013/06/20/facebook-instagram-video/
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Instant messaging and video/voice calling service Google Hangouts launches Summers, Nick (15 May, 2013). Google Launches Hangouts Messaging Service for iOS, Android and Web. The Next Web Retrieved from https://thenextweb.com/google/2013/05/15/google-launches-a-new-unified-cross-platform-messaging-service/#.tnw_97abTjFR
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MySpace re-launches with a re-designed website and mobile app. Cheredar, T. (12 June, 2013). The new, new Myspace leaves beta — launches a revised design, new features, & a mobile app. Venture Beat. Retrieved from https://venturebeat.com/2013/06/12/the-new-new-myspace-leaves-beta-launches-a-revised-design-new-features-a-mobile-app/
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Snapchat launches collaborative timelines based on events Crook, J. (17 June, 2014) Snapchat Launches Collaborative Timelines Based On Events. TechCrunch. Retrieved from https://techcrunch.com/2014/06/17/snapchat-launches-collaborative-timelines-based-on-events/.
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SNS Orkut is shutdown by Google. Huet, E. (30 June, 2014). Google Finally Shuts Down Orkut, Its First Social Network. Forbes. Retrieved from: https://www.forbes.com/sites/ellenhuet/2014/06/30/google-kills-orkut/#29b4c55a634b
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Friendster shuts down indefinitely on the 14th June 2015 due to "the evolving landscape in our challenging industry" and lack of engagement by the online community. Retrieved from: http://www.friendster.com
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Periscope, a live video sharing app, launches shortly after being acquired by Twitter. Weil, K. (25 March, 2015). Introducing Periscope. Retrieved from https://blog.twitter.com/official/en_us/a/2015/introducing-periscope.html
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Microsoft finalizes $26 billion LinkedIn acquisition. Warren, T. (8 December, 2016). Microsoft finalizes $26 billion LinkedIn acquisition, reveals what’s next. The Verge. Retrieved from: https://www.theverge.com/2016/12/8/13882622/microsoft-linkedin-acquisition-finalized
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Time Inc. buys Myspace and its parent company. Spangler, T. (2 November, 2016). Time Inc. Buys Myspace Parent Company Viant. Variety. Retrieved from: http://variety.com/2016/digital/news/time-inc-myspace-viant-1201703860/
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Twitter shuts down video sharing SMS Vine. Huddleston, T. (17 January, 2017). Twitter Is Officially Shutting Down Vine Today. Fortune. Retrieved from: http://fortune.com/2017/01/17/twitter-shut-down-vine-tuesday/
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SNS Facebook becomes the most popular world wide as it reaches 2.01 billion monthly users as of June 2017. Facebook Newsroom. (2017). Company information. Retrieved from: https://newsroom.fb.com/company-info/
