5 research outputs found
An empirical study of spatial and transpatial social networks using Bluetooth and Facebook
This study provides insights into the quantitative similarities, differences
and relationships between users' spatial, face-to-face, urban social networks
and their transpatial, online counterparts. We explore and map the social ties
within a cohort of 2602 users, and how those ties are mediated via physical
co-presence and online tools. Our analysis focused on isolating two distinct
segments of the social network: one mediated by physical co-presence, and the
other mediated by Facebook. Our results suggest that as a whole the networks
exhibit homogeneous characteristics, but individuals' involvement in those
networks varies considerably. Furthermore this study provides a methodological
approach for jointly analysing spatial & transpatial networks utilising
pervasive and ubiquitous technology.Comment: 17 pages,4 figures, 1 tabl
Social networking 2.0
In this paper we describe the development of a platform that enables us to systematically study online social networks alongside their real-world counterparts. Our system, entitled Cityware, merges users' online social data, made available through Facebook, with mobility traces captured via Bluetooth scanning. Furthermore, our system is constantly growing, since it enables users to contribute their own mobility traces. In addition to describing Cityware's architecture, we discuss the type of data we are collecting, and the analyses we intend to carry out