The Daily Voice launches social networking

The Daily Voice online web site has launched a new feature that will allow users to interact with one another directly in a social networking community.

The feature, a product of Google Friend Connect, is one of two platforms the site managers have been considering for social networking functions. The other, Facebook Connect, was also reviewed by the site, but is not currently being used.

"When Google and Facebook go in a certain direction, they're industry leaders, so you take notice and follow suit," said Daily Voice publisher Malcolm Harris.

The social networking feature, located on the right column of the site, allows users and readers to "join" the site and post news leads, videos and story ideas. Eventually, once the feature is fully implemented, users will be able to interact directly with one another, according to Harris.

"We noticed that a community was already developing on the site, so it really wasn't a matter of turning The Daily Voice into an online community so much as it was about enhancing the tools to continue our mission as an online community," said Harris.

Harris said the management hopes to make the site "a more engaging experience" and to allow users to be more engaged in generating ideas for content.

Still, the feature is not without its flaws, Harris acknowledges. "It's definitely in BETA phase," he said, "so the plan is to keep our ears open as technology develops and update the site as that technology becomes available to us."