New social network Path restricts members' links to 50 people

Stephen Withers
Tuesday, 16 November 2010 12:13

Your IT - Mobility

A new and initially photo-based social network service called Path goes against the practice of amassing hundreds or thousands of 'friends' by limiting each participants' links to just 50.

One of the problems with Facebook is the risk of over-sharing information. Essentially, someone is either a 'friend' or they're not, but this doesn't distinguish between people you're on intimate terms with, friends, acquaintances, and those with whom you only have an online relationship.

So for some people, the idea of a social network restricted to the inner circle has its attractions. Taking a lead from the work of anthropologist Robin Dunbar (who proposed that humans can maintain stable interpersonal relationships with a maximum of approximately 150 others), former Facebook executive Dave Morin leads Path, a new social network service that limits members' personal networks to 50.

The idea is that Path should be used to keep in touch with only the closest friends and family. "The personal network doesn't replace your existing social networks - it augments them", noted Morin.

While it would be possible to set up a second Facebook account to link to that group, it would be all too easy to admit someone to the wrong network, or post information to the wrong service. Using two distinct services should help keep things separate.

Path launched yesterday (US time) with a free iPhone app to share photos with those in your personal network, and to display the photos shared by them. The plan is to extend the service to other phones over time. "Practically all of us carry a camera phone, and our photos tell the stories of our lives", observed Morin.

What do people think of Path so far? Please read on.