Hi5 (Website) 1 Hi5 (Website)

hi5 (website) 1 hi5 (website)

Hi5

Screenshot of Hi5's home page [1] URL hi5.com

Commercial? yes

Type of site Social Networking

Registration Required

Available language(s) Multilingual

Owner Sona Networks

Created by Ramu Yalamanchi

Launched June 21, 2003

[2] Alexa rank 293 (April 2011)

Current status Active

hi5 is a social networking website based in San Francisco, California. The company was founded in 2003 by Ramu Yalamanchi.[3] By 2008, comScore reported that hi5 had become the third most popular social networking site in terms of monthly unique visitors.[4] Bill Gossman was appointed CEO in April 2009,[5] and since that time, hi5 has refocused itself as a social gaming platform and opened itself to new game developers.[6] . Gaming industry veteran Alex St. John joined the company as President and CTO in November 2009.[7] , and in early 2010, hi5 acquired social gaming company Big Six.[8] The company raised $20 million in series A venture capital from Mohr Davidow Ventures, as well as $15 million in venture debt, in 2007,[9] and announced it had raised $3 million convertible note from existing investor Mohr Davidow, bringing the funding up to $38 million.[10] Quantcast reports hi5 has 2.7 million monthly US visitors and 46.1 million global visitors.[11] Software-industry veteran Karen Richardson has served as chairwoman of the company's board since 2008.[12] hi5 (website) 2

Features

hi5 has many features common to social networking sites, such as friend networks, photo sharing, user groups, and status updates. Since the site’s redesign in 2009, hi5 has added a number of features oriented toward gaming and entertainment.[13] The site features over 200 games in a variety of genres, and has been adding games at a rate of 2-3 per week.[14] At hi5, users can create an online profile in order to show information such as interests, age Previous Hi5 logo used until 2010. and hometown. Users can also upload photos and create personal photo albums where other users can post comments. hi5 also allows the user to play online games and set up a music player in the profile. Users can also send friend requests via e-mail to other users. When a person receives a friend request, he may accept or decline it, or block the user altogether. If the user accepts another user as a friend, the two will be connected directly or in the 1st degree. The user will then appear on the person's friend list and vice-versa.

Some users opt to make their profiles available for everyone on hi5 to view. Other users exercise the option to make their profile viewable only to those people who are in their network. The network of friends consists of a user's direct friends (1st degree), the friends of those direct friends (2nd degree) and the friends of the friends of direct friends (3rd degree).[15] In early 2010, hi5 began to evolve from a social network into a site focused on social gaming and opened to new game developers.

Market share

Due to hi5’s shift in focus to social gaming, comScore reclassified hi5 as an online gaming site in early 2011. According to comScore, hi5 ranked as a the 6th most trafficked online gaming site. [16] Although created and headquartered in the United States, it is more popular in other countries, particularly in Latin America, being ranked 37th in the world only among people who have the Alexa toolbar installed on Map of countries with most users of hi5 their browser [17] but only 84th in the US.[18]

Technologies In 2010, hi5 began introducing new developer tools to strengthen the adoption of social gaming on the site. In October, hi5 announced Sociopath, a set of tools designed to make it easier for developers to bring their game to the hi5 platform. A major part of the program was the implementation of Facebook compatible APIs, which simplified the process of bringing games already developed for Facebook to hi5. Sociopath also introduced anonymous play to the site, making it easier for gamers to play games immediately without first having to provide registration info. [19] Sociopath was initially introduced at GDC Online in 2010.[20] As a companion to Sociopath, hi5 introduced Sociopay in early 2011. Sociopay is intended to help hi5 to better monetize users, increasing revenues for themselves and developers. Sociopay, automatically adjusts the prices for hi5 coins based upon a user’s region, capitalizing on hi5’s international success and helping to monetize users from many different economies. Sociopay also helps monetize users less likely to purchase coins by instead serving them advertisements.[21] hi5 (website) 3

Criticism

Spam Hi5 has used controversial email address import methods to gain more users - which may be considered a form of spam. After registering the site users are given the option to send invitation e-mails to their contacts in a variety of web-based e-mail services. [22]

References

[1] http:/ / hi5. com

[2] "hi5.com - Traffic Details from Alexa" (http:/ / www. alexa. com/ siteinfo/ hi5. com). Alexa Internet, Inc. . Retrieved April 22, 2011.

[3] "Social Network Hi5 gets $20 million" (http:/ / gigaom. com/ 2007/ 07/ 22/ hi5/ ). Gigaom.com. July 22, 2007. . Retrieved August 8, 2010.

[4] "Social Networking Explodes Worldwide as Sites Increase their Focus on Cultural Relevance" (http:/ / www. comscore. com/ press/ release. asp?press=2396).

[5] April 24, 2009 (April 24, 2009). "Bill Gossman is social network Hi5’s new chief executive | VentureBeat" (http:/ / digital. venturebeat. com/

2009/ 04/ 24/ bill-gossman-is-social-network-hi5s-new-chief-executive/ ). Digital.venturebeat.com. . Retrieved August 8, 2010.

[6] By Douglas MacMillan (March 12, 2010). "Social Network Hi5 Gets Its Game On" (http:/ / www. businessweek. com/ technology/ content/

mar2010/ tc20100312_481808. htm). BusinessWeek. . Retrieved August 8, 2010.

[7] November 30, 2009 (November 30, 2009). "hi5 recruits a beastly gaming veteran as its president" (http:/ / venturebeat. com/ 2009/ 11/ 30/

hi5-recruits-a-beastly-gaming-veteran-as-its-president/ ). VentureBeat. . Retrieved August 8, 2010.

[8] Rao, Leena (February 24, 2010). "hi5 Acquires Social Gaming Company Big Six" (http:/ / techcrunch. com/ 2010/ 02/ 24/

hi5-acquires-social-gaming-company-big-six/ ). Techcrunch.com. . Retrieved August 8, 2010.

[9] "hi5 | CrunchBase Profile" (http:/ / www. crunchbase. com/ company/ hi5). Crunchbase.com. . Retrieved August 8, 2010.

[10] Rao, Leena (April 1, 2010). "Social Network hi5 Raises $3 Million In Debt From Mohr Davidow" (http:/ / techcrunch. com/ 2010/ 04/ 01/

social-network-hi5-raises-23-million-in-funding/ ). Techcrunch.com. . Retrieved August 8, 2010.

[11] http:/ / www. quantcast. com/ hi5. com?country=US#traffic

[12] Hi5. "Hi5 expands leadership team as company experiences dramatic growth" (http:/ / www. hi5networks. com/ press/ releases/ 0813080. html). Press release. . Retrieved June 2, 2011.

[13] Eldon, Eric (October 13th, 2009). "hi5′s New Redesign: Another Big Milestone in its Gaming Strategy" (http:/ / www. insidesocialgames.

com/ 2009/ 10/ 13/ hi5s-new-redesign-another-big-milestone-in-its-gaming-strategy/ ). Inside Social Games. .

[14] Shaul, Brandy (April 23rd, 2011). "Hi5 gaining momentum among top online/social gaming sites; should Facebook be concerned?" (http:/ /

blog. games. com/ 2011/ 04/ 23/ hi5-gaining-momentum-among-top-online-social-gaming-sites/ ). Games.com. .

[15] Allwood, Brandon (May 3, 2005). "Entertain yourself online" (http:/ / www. jamaicaobserver. com/ magazines/ TeenAge/ html/

20050502T210000-0500_79775_OBS_ENTERTAIN_YOURSELF_ONLINE_. asp). Jamaica Observer. .

[16] Takahashi, Dean (April 20, 2010). "hi5 Becomes a Top Ten Online Game Site" (http:/ / venturebeat. com/ 2011/ 04/ 20/

hi5-becomes-a-top-ten-online-game-site/ ). Venturebeat.com. .

[17] "Alexa Top 500 Global Sites" (http:/ / www. alexa. com/ site/ ds/ top_sites?ts_mode=global& lang=none). Alexa.com. . Retrieved August 8, 2010.

[18] "Alexa Top 500 Global Sites" (http:/ / www. alexa. com/ site/ ds/ top_sites?cc=US& ts_mode=country& lang=none). Alexa.com. . Retrieved August 8, 2010.

[19] Takahashi, Dean (October 6th, 2010). "Will Hi5’s new SocioPath game platform lure developers away from Facebook?" (http:/ /

venturebeat. com/ 2010/ 10/ 06/ hi5-unveils-sociopath-game-platform-in-bid-to-steal-develoeprs-away-from-facebook/ ). Venturebeat.com. .

[20] Caoili, Eric (October 6th, 2010). "GDC Online: Hi5 Debuts SocioPath Social Gaming Platform" (http:/ / www. gamezebo. com/ news/ 2011/

02/ 28/ talking-sociopath-and-sociopay-hi5âs-alex-st-john). Gamasutra.com. .

[21] Brodie, Joel (Feb 28th, 2011). "Talking SocioPath and SocioPay with Hi5’s Alex St. John" (http:/ / www. gamezebo. com/ news/ 2011/ 02/

28/ talking-sociopath-and-sociopay-hi5âs-alex-st-john). Gamezebo.com. .

[22] "Shields Up!: A look at the privacy controls at the major social networking sites" (http:/ / www. gadgetell. com/ tech/ comment/

shields-up-a-look-at-the-privacy-controls-at-the-major-social-networking-si/ ). Gadgetell.com. . Retrieved August 8, 2010. hi5 (website) 4

External links

• hi5 (http:/ / www. hi5. com) - Official Website Article Sources and Contributors 5 Article Sources and Contributors

hi5 (website) Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=432216913 Contributors: 0oflasho0, 16@r, A.Ward, AB, ATDC Raigeki, Aaxander, Agascoigne, Ahtih, Airplaneman, Alex Neman, Alexander Dirk, Animum, ArtsyNani, Atariguide, AtheWeatherman, Atoma84, AuburnPilot, Barnhaus07, Ben Lunsford, BigJonMX, Blaxthos, BlueHorseshoe, Bonadea, Brad Polard, Byassine52, CWii, Callidior, Camw, Canadian, Capricorn42, Cequiel, Chevaughn 96, Chris 73, Ciphers, Ckatz, Cncxbox, Corwin8, Cureden, DARTH SIDIOUS 2, Danlev, Ddxc, Debouncer, Decorativeedison, Diamond2, Discospinster, Dj stone, Dsfs14, EVula, Eliashedberg, Fantastic fred, Foobaz, ForYou2Web, Franamax, Fritzfeger, FrummerThanThou, Fvw, GB fan, GRRE, Geat, Geneffects, Glacier Wolf, Goalloverhere, Guyzero, Hey Cisco, Hmrox, Hornlitz, IRP, IceUnshattered, Iceheart4ever, J.delanoy, Jake Wartenberg, Jeff G., Jeff Mincey, JeffyP, Jersey Devil, Jhenderson777, JimCS, John Broughton, Jorunn, Joshua, Jpgordon, Jules.lt, Jw2034, Karebear 1022, Kedadi, Kenzicool, Kevmacmeh, Kimchi.sg, Kinu, Kjbaldio, Kkm010, KlaudiuMihaila, Koavf, Kormin, Krazykenny, Kyekyekie, L Kensington, La Pianista, LeaveSleaves, Locoone2b87ff6, Ltbriar, Lysimachos, Lyslovesyouh, MER-C, MSClaudiu, Marcus Qwertyus, Marek69, Matt Fitzpatrick, MauricioDeAlencar, MaxSem, McSly, MikeJixon, Mmm, Modernist, Momo san, MonkeyTimeBoy, Mr pand, MrDarcy, Mtrigg55, Mx3, NCSS, Naftprod, Netalarm, Neurolysis, Nmnogueira, Omar otiniano, Omehegan, Optakeover, Panchouu, Persian Poet Gal, PhilKnight, Philip Trueman, Portillo, Prashanthns, RGarella, Real decimic, Reaper Eternal, Refsworldlee, Rehevkor, Revatim, Rockysmile11, Sbr8, Sceptre, Scott Illini, Sdavis0830, Searles2sels, Selvasoft2003, Seraphim, Silviu Mihaila, SkyWalker, Smartelevens, SoWhy, Soumyasch, Sry85, Ssj5perfect cell, Stephenchou0722, Steve carlson, Sub40Hz, Supaplexis, Supaplexys, SuperWiki10000, SupermanReturns, Svick, Tamarweinberg, TarmoK, Teo64x, Tomandersonmyspaceowner, Vanished User 1004, Vanished user 39948282, Versus22, VictorianMutant, VirtualSteve, Vlad, Vladygost, Wayne Slam, West.andrew.g, Whyant, Wickethewok, Wikidemon, Wikiuberpownage, Wikiuser82, William Graham, Wintceas, X!, Xarr, Xeno, Zer0431, Zzuuzz, 331 anonymous edits Image Sources, Licenses and Contributors

Image:Hi5 new.png Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Hi5_new.png License: Fair Use Contributors: Alex Neman, Antonysigma, GorillaWarfare, Skier Dude, 1 anonymous edits Image:Hi5 screenshot.png Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Hi5_screenshot.png License: unknown Contributors: 16@r, Donaldo1997, Navy Blue File:Decrease2.svg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Decrease2.svg License: Public Domain Contributors: Sarang File:Hi5 logo.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Hi5_logo.jpg License: Fair Use Contributors: Asenine, G(x), MBisanz, Omar otiniano, PhilKnight, Seraphim, Utcursch, 6 anonymous edits File:Hi5 map.svg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Hi5_map.svg License: Public Domain Contributors: Foobaz, 1 anonymous edits License

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