This is not the first time we have seen such cases in China. Previously, China biggest instant messenger, QQ, came from the idea of ICQ. In addition to that, China also has the clone of “I Phone”. Hence, it is not so surprise that China come out with a clone of Facebook.
What’s so great about Facebook? It is one of the SNS that emerge to be one of the most frequent website over the recent years. Before Facebook was launch, “Friendster” is definitely one of the leading SNS. It allows users to know friend’s friends and also people who is practically an unknown to user. Now, even “Friendster” adopts the ideas of Facebook.
Before Facebook was introduced, peoples define SNS as a place to browse photos and profile of friends. It also offers interaction from both parties by messages. The perception has since been changed through the introduction of Facebook. It adds exciting features to the then dull social networking sites. Features such as games interaction, group discussion as well as photo tagging adds different dimension to SNS.
In conjunction to the success of the Facebook, China has also launch their version of Facebook in Chinese. It resembles much features of Facebook. China uses interesting name like “Kaixin” which stands for happiness and “Xiao Nei” which stands for inside school for their website.
The websites is a hit among the Chinese. Both of which uses the concept from the Facebook to construct their website. When a closer look is taken towards “Xiao Nei”, you can notice a similarity between “Xiao Nei” and Facebook. “Xiao Nei” uses almost the same colors and layout which Facebook used. Even the logos and games available is about the same.
Over a short period of time, Ms Chai Lin is able to make over 200 friends in a short period of time. This is possible due to the credibility of SNS. Users can provide unreliable information that misleads other user without offending any violation. My cousin is among one of which who provides false information online and get to know 100 friends within a short period of time. She gives details such as she is 18 years old in age where her actual age is actually 13 years old.
As a Facebook user myself, after trying out both “Kaixin” and “Xiao Nei”, I found that “Xiao Nei” is more interesting and user friendly than “Kaixin”. It may due to the reason that “Xiao Nei” resembles much of Facebook. After you test out “Xiao Nei”, you will there is actually a slight difference between “Xiao Nei” and Facebook in the way they offers the applications.
With Facebook as a pioneer, I can foresee the success of the China version of Facebook. Although others might see it as a clone of Facebook, but in fact, it is just another offer of SNS. Moreover, a Chinese version of Facebook might just interest those which grow up in the Chinese industry. Those which prefer Chinese social networking sites could go and try out share your point of view.
Reference:
AsiaOne Digital, Net-weather friends, viewed 2nd March 2009, <http://www.asiaone.com/Digital/News/Story/A1Story20081129-104337.html>
Image Source:
http://www.facebook.com
http://www.xiaonei.com
http://www.kaixin001.com
