Some Best Open-Source Social Networking Software

Here we have listed some Best Open-Source Social Networking Software from the following link:

http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/the-5-best-open-source-social-networking-software/

and

http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/three-awesome-tools-to-create-your-own-social-networks/

1. Elgg

http://www.elgg.org/

Elgg has just won the best open source social networking platform for the year 2008, so there is no doubt about the usability of this software. Overall, Elgg is a powerful software that offers blog, networking, community, collection of news using feeds aggregation and file sharing features. In fact, it is one of the most versatile pieces of software that offers almost everything you need to start a social networking site.

Elgg operates on a LAMP (Linux, Apache, MySql and Php) environment and it is easy to install and configure. With a little php knowledge, you can get your social networking site up and running in no time.

Before you install Elgg, try out its demo site.

2. Mahara

Unlike the rest of the social networking software that is meant for general use, Mahara is designed as a platform to allow its users to demonstrate their life-long learning, skills and development to selected audiences. With Mahara, you can create an e-Portfolio platform and set up an online learner community. Features in the software include blogs, a resume builder, a file manager, institutions detail and the social networking aspect where you can add and maintain your list of friends.

Mahara runs on LAMP, although Postgres is preferred over MySql.
Check out the demo site

Find more softwares in the website links given at the top of this post.