# Ruby on Rails -\> Friendster or Facebook like website? **URL:** \ **Category:** Rails\ **Created:** [November 10, 2008, 10:02am UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/ruby-on-rails-friendster-or-facebook-like-website/152942 "2008-11-10T10:02:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![pain](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/p/b4bc9f/32.png) [@pain](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/pain)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2008, 10:02am UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/ruby-on-rails-friendster-or-facebook-like-website/152942/1 "2008-11-10T10:02:12Z")
Hi guys, I am new to RoR, and I just installed it on my computer. I am planning of building a social networking website like friendster or facebook. At first, I was thinking of using Php and MySQL, however, recently, I found RoR which I think pretty cool and start learn about it. Hence, my question is: Should I use RoR or Php to develop the social networking website? Which one is better, easier and (whatever, bla bla bla…)? Any opinions? ---
**Author:** ![pain](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/p/b4bc9f/32.png) [@pain](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/pain)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2008, 11:47am UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/ruby-on-rails-friendster-or-facebook-like-website/152942/2 "2008-11-10T11:47:29Z")
> I am planning of building a social networking website like friendster > or facebook. At first, I was thinking of using Php and MySQL, however, > recently, I found RoR which I think pretty cool and start learn about > it. Hence, my question is: Should I use RoR or Php to develop the > social networking website? Which one is better, easier and (whatever, > bla bla bla…)? Any opinions? Welcome to Rails. First of all, I think the world has enough social networks. Unless you have an incredibly unique idea or just want to do it for the exercise itself, I wouldn’t bother. Second, you’re asking a group of Rails programmers whether the framework they’re using is good or not. The answer will be as you expect: They will think that it is ;). Your best bet is to try it on for size. Building anything substantial takes months at the very least. Years more often. Some times even decades. So investing a few days up front on the main technical alternatives you’re looking to choose between seems like a sound investment. Then all you have to do is decide what is better and easier for you personally to use. Good luck. ---
**Author:** ![pain](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/p/b4bc9f/32.png) [@pain](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/pain)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2008, 4:07pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/ruby-on-rails-friendster-or-facebook-like-website/152942/3 "2008-11-10T16:07:44Z")
You might also search the web on social networking book and help sites - a quick search came up with many good hits and that should answer your question on whether or not to use rails. You might pick up a book too, I was looking at RailsSpace the other day at the bookstore and it looked to be well put together and showed a lot of the interesting and cool things you can do with rails. Good luck. ---
**Author:** ![pain](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/p/b4bc9f/32.png) [@pain](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/pain)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2008, 4:54pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/ruby-on-rails-friendster-or-facebook-like-website/152942/4 "2008-11-10T16:54:04Z")
Yep, It’s called: Addison.Wesley.RailsSpace. Building.a.Social.Networking.Website.with.Ruby.on.Rails.Jul.2007 On Nov 10, 10:07 am, Shandy N. [removed\_email\_address@domain.invalid](mailto:removed_email_address@domain.invalid) ---
**Author:** ![pain](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/p/b4bc9f/32.png) [@pain](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/pain)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2008, 8:33pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/ruby-on-rails-friendster-or-facebook-like-website/152942/5 "2008-11-11T20:33:42Z")
If you really want to build your own social network, thats fine, but before you do anything substantial take a look at… > **[GitHub - stevenbristol/lovd-by-less: Open Source Social Network written in Ruby...](https://github.com/stevenbristol/lovd-by-less/tree/master)** > > master and > **[GitHub - insoshi/insoshi: An open source social networking platform in Ruby on...](https://github.com/insoshi/insoshi/tree/master)** > > master ---
**Author:** ![pain](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/p/b4bc9f/32.png) [@pain](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/pain)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2008, 3:13am UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/ruby-on-rails-friendster-or-facebook-like-website/152942/6 "2008-11-11T03:13:14Z")
Yeah, the website I want to build is not much different from existing social networking websites. Thats mean u all want me to do more research on RoR?? Sure, I will do it. Thanks guys for your great responses!! ---
**Author:** ![pain](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/p/b4bc9f/32.png) [@pain](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/pain)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2008, 11:12am UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/ruby-on-rails-friendster-or-facebook-like-website/152942/7 "2008-11-12T11:12:35Z")
That was cool, thanks for the great links… Now I have more confident that I can do it also, I will do my best.