Open Source Resources for Web Application Developers

Elgg is an open, flexible social networking engine, designed to run at the heart of any socially-aware application. Building on Elgg is easy, and because the engine handles common web application and social functionality for you, you can concentrate on developing your idea.

It runs on Apache, PHP and MySQL – the same open source platform that the majority of web applications are written in. Elgg is compatible with enterprise technologies like the Zend Platform and any server environment that can run the Apache web server.

Elgg supports technologies like OpenDD, OpenID and OpenSocial, and they are directly involved in community efforts to push the envelope when it comes to data portability, federation and the user experience. Elgg is a great way to future-proof your social applications.

You can also look at other Open Source Social Network Platform we have mentioned few months ago. I am sure you can find the one which is suitable for you to start your own social network site.

Requirements: PHP 5.2+, MySQL 5+, Apache Server with GD and Mod_rewrite
Demo: http://elgg.org
License: GPL License

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I have written a post about First Ever Open Source Social Network Platform few days ago. And our lovely readers pointed out that LovdByLess is not actually the first ever open source social network platform. There are many nice one such as barnraiser.org, peopleaggregator.org, ning.com, Elgg, phpizabi.net which have been around for several years already. And Erik and Erbag has mentioned about Dolphin which I have found it very powerful Open Source Community Software.

YouTube, MySpace, Odeo, Flickr, Match and Facebook – all in one, customizable and under your full control. You’re limited only by your imagination – not by software. Dolphin Smart Community Builder is a universal, free, open source software that allows you to build any kind of online community. With a huge variety of features & options, you can quickly develop your very unique and successful website.

Dolphin has actively developed and frequently upgraded for over 6 years. There are many plugins, templates, custom support you can choose from. Currently, it is used by over 20,000 community sites worldwide.

Requirements: -
Demo: http://www.boonex.com/products/dolphin/
License: Creative Commons License

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With new social networks launching everyday most start with the same basic features. Bloggers have WordPress, Mephisto, Typo and other open source solutions. Yet there isn’t an open source social network platform, until now. LovdByLess is an open source social network platform which is built with Ruby on Rails, this open source project has all the basic features you will need to setup a basic social network.

You can follow a user, mutual following is friending. User-to-User Messaging, User Profile, Comments, Photo Gallery with Captions, Friends Search, Flickr and YouTube Integration as well. If you are going to build a social networking web application, LovdByLess is a really good platform to start with. However, you need to install Ruby on Rails first apparent.

P.S. Thank you Evan pointed out that barnraiser.org is actually the first one of open source social software, that’s been around for a couple years now.

Requirements: Ruby on Rails
Demo: http://try.lovdbyless.com/
License: MIT License

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Social bookmarking is a powerful tool in promoting a website. But going through all of those social bookmarking sites is very time-consuming and downloading all toolbars is madness! That’s where SocialMarker.com comes in, the free service designed to reduce the time and effort needed to socially bookmark a website. The only requirement is that you need to be using FireFox when socially marking.

Requirements: Firefox Browser
Demo: http://www.socialmarker.com
License: License Free

• 14 Comments