Social networks in the enterprise
Inner Circle
© Lead Image © fabio formaggio, 123RF.com
If you want to use social media and microblogging platforms, you do not need to leave your data sovereignty to external corporations. This month, we look at free decentralized software alternatives to Facebook, Twitter, and other social media and examine whether they are suitable for use in the enterprise and other organizations.
Social media and microblogging platforms can drive involvement and discussions between employees of a company and between employees and consumers. However, the suitability of well-known services such as Twitter or Facebook is limited. In addition to security concerns, data protection and user privacy are concerns, especially if the operators of the services then market their customers' data commercially.
Today, however, you can find services and software that promise improved security and – as open source projects – more transparency. In this article, I take a look at Diaspora [1], Friendica [2], GNU social [3], and Mastodon [4]. In addition to their general capabilities, I also examine the conditions for the internal use of these services in companies and organizations.
Criteria
The requirements for a microblogging service in the enterprise differ significantly from those for purely private use. For example, certain encryption methods are unavoidable. Advertising, tracking, and other unwanted content have no place in microblogging at work. Cross-platform availability is also important for users. Thus, the short messages should end up not only on the smartphone, but also on the workplace computer, and the computer must be able not only to receive tweets and posts but to send them.
[...]
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
US / Canada
UK / Australia
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
System76 Releases COSMIC Alpha 7
With scores of bug fixes and a really cool workspaces feature, COSMIC is looking to soon migrate from alpha to beta.
-
OpenMandriva Lx 6.0 Available for Installation
The latest release of OpenMandriva has arrived with a new kernel, an updated Plasma desktop, and a server edition.
-
TrueNAS 25.04 Arrives with Thousands of Changes
One of the most popular Linux-based NAS solutions has rolled out the latest edition, based on Ubuntu 25.04.
-
Fedora 42 Available with Two New Spins
The latest release from the Fedora Project includes the usual updates, a new kernel, an official KDE Plasma spin, and a new System76 spin.
-
So Long, ArcoLinux
The ArcoLinux distribution is the latest Linux distribution to shut down.
-
What Open Source Pros Look for in a Job Role
Learn what professionals in technical and non-technical roles say is most important when seeking a new position.
-
Asahi Linux Runs into Issues with M4 Support
Due to Apple Silicon changes, the Asahi Linux project is at odds with adding support for the M4 chips.
-
Plasma 6.3.4 Now Available
Although not a major release, Plasma 6.3.4 does fix some bugs and offer a subtle change for the Plasma sidebar.
-
Linux Kernel 6.15 First Release Candidate Now Available
Linux Torvalds has announced that the release candidate for the final release of the Linux 6.15 series is now available.
-
Akamai Will Host kernel.org
The organization dedicated to cloud-based solutions has agreed to host kernel.org to deliver long-term stability for the development team.