Abstract
With the development of advanced mobile devices and social network services, mobile social network (MSN) has become popular in recent years. This paper we present a new perspective of MSN, the opportunistic MSN, which aims to enhance spontaneous interaction/communication among people that opportunistically encounter in the physical world, without any infrastructure support. We present the motivation of opportunistic MSN, explore its underpinning and the key concepts. Further, we describe our ongoing practice regarding to this emerging research area.
Highlights
Mobile social networking (MSN) refers to social networking where individuals with similar interests connect with one another through their mobile devices [1]
We want to present a different form of MSN – the Opportunistic MSN, which aims to enhance spontaneous interaction/communication among people that opportunistically encounter in the physical world, without leveraging any infrastructure support
Like-minded people are more likely to be co-located, or in close spatial proximity, than those who share no interests. These findings provide a theoretical underpinning for opportunistic MSN, namely, informal, short-lived co-presence of people in the physical world shows a certain degree of social cohesiveness, which raises opportunities to mainstream social network services, such as friend making, information/resource sharing, as well as social interaction
Summary
Mobile social networking (MSN) refers to social networking where individuals with similar interests connect with one another through their mobile devices [1]. Spontaneous prediction of potential “friends” co-present in offline/physical environments, is not incorporated in existing MSN services Another motivation for opportunistic MSN is local information sharing, people often want to be aware of nearby events (e.g., sale in a nearby shop, local traffic information) or need to distribute location-dependent, spontaneously-triggered information to others in the proximity (e.g., selling an unused ticket near the train station due to an unplanned schedule change). Such information are better to be generated and disseminated within the local-area community, without leveraging the global network/Internet
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
