[foaf-dev] Re: Social Networks that use FOAF

[Anthony Steele]

> 
> From: Dom Ramsey <dom at dynamite.co.uk>
> 
> I've yet to see any truly useful application of FOAF, and there's  
> little point in social networks maintaining a feature that users don't  
> care about.
>

Large existing social networks may not have a use for FOAF- they would rather that you sign up than have other systems interoperate with thier users without racking up pageviews or handing over user information. 

However I believe that FOAF will be useful for those wanting to develop networks beyond the current "multiple walled-garden" status quo of social networking. 
 
> In fact, in my experience, most users who understand the implications  
> of FOAF would rather *not* have it. There are simply too many privacy  
> concerns and it's way too easy for a site to make false assertions  
> about its users (just because I added you to my "favorites" doesn't  
> mean I consider you a friend or even "know" you).
> 

You are right in pointing at access to information that needs to be protected from public reading as the main issue. This is not a problem with a standard solution yet. 

Anthony

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