On Modeling a Social Networking Service Description

With the proliferation of the Internet, different online representations of social networks emerged, so-called online social networks (OSN), which allow for reflecting and building durable social networks over large distances. Unlike relationships in the physical world, OSN do not require a user to keep a connection alive by communicating at least sporadically. Instead, they foster the passive acquisition of information, so sources of information in form of passing acquaintances will not be lost. Mobile computing supports the use of OSN even more. Due to mobile devices and mobile Internet, online social networking becomes ubiquitous and people are able to exchange information over OSN at any time or place. Most online social networking platforms (OSNP) especially enhance mobile use cases, e.g., by offering push notification. This way, users are enabled to benefit fully from the knowledge of their contacts.