PHPizabi Review

In the world of web server scripting - there are easy scripts to install and setup, and there are not-so-easy scripts to use.  If the script is for a website utility such as form processing or visitor status, the process of installation and management is usually fairly easy.  However scripts that install and manage social networking networks can be somewhat more complicated.

Using a social networking site is actually a non-trivial task that has a learning curve of its own.  Users need to learn how to register with the site and set up their profile.  They need to learn how to post on forums using forum code, or how to communicate with other members of the network through private messaging utilities or chat rooms. 

However, owning and operating a social networking site can be even more complicated, therefore it's important that anyone who is considering operating such a social network becomes well-informed as to the pros and cons about social networking scripts.

PHPizabi Social Networking Script

When I first came across PHPizabi I was concerned by the fact that PHPizabi is one of the few open-source scripts available to run an entire social networking site.  Open source scripts are typically quite "buggy" and full of holes - however that does not appear to be the case with PHPizabi.  In fact, security appears to be a prime feature of the software - which provides three admin security levels in addition to bruteforce protection.  These security features quickly set my mind at ease in regards to the security liabilities of this script.

Requirements

Most web applications that get installed onto your existing website typically have minimum requirements for your web server and website configuration.  In the case of PHPizabi, the minimum requirements are as follows:

1. PHP 4.2.x

2. MySQL 3.23.x

3. Apache 1.13.19 OR IIS 5.1

4. GD2 (Image Processor)

Before choosing to install PHPizabi, it's best to make sure first that your web server supports these minimum requirements. 

Major Features

One of the most important features of any social networking site is that it is aesthetically pleasing to users.  There is nothing that turns away new users faster than an unorganized and "messy" website.  However social networking sites that provide the user with a pleasant, well organized experience tend to succeed.

With PHPizabi, this is definitely the case.  The user web page is very well organized and the software is extremely flexible with additional modules that can be installed by the website owner.   

The user page is well organized and highly customizable.  Some of the major features offered which most users of social networking sites look for include:

•-          Internal message (PM) system.

•-          Display of user's online status

•-          Private Photo Galleries with cropping/resize functionality

•-          Smileys support

•-          Multilanguage support

•-          Friend invitations

•-          Advanced search features

•-          Match search feature based on profile details

•-          Activity notifications

•-          Customizable genders

Some of the best features that I noticed while browsing the software:

The user desktop is extremely straightforward for users to quickly set up profiles.  All of the site's major features such as private messages, blogs, comments, pictures and others are all quickly linkable directly from their profile - this makes it extremely convenient for users to keep an eye on everything that's going on across the community from one central "dashboard" page.

Chat rooms are well done - based on the same chat technology as the original IRC client/server protocol but with additional functionality and features that make the chat areas very powerful, fast, and enjoyable to use.

The user contacts list is completely customizable and very well organized.  While most personal management software offers a "contacts list", PHPizabi provides a contact management system that is integrated with other communication features of the site such as the message system or file transfers.  The contact system is easy to use, and I can imagine that once the contacts list grows substantially large, it would serve as a very useful storage area for all of the user's personal contacts - including family and friends outside of the social network.

The download and core installation of PHPizabi uses advanced install technology that makes the process easy enough even for website owners who are not "script-savvy".  PHPizabi offers three options for installation - a web-based installation where PHPizabi servers install PHPizabi directly onto your web server for you.  This is obviously the easiest approach, but it requires that you provide your own website's admin login credentials.  The second option is an Automatic Installation where you simply download the installer software and the installer software will install PHPizabi onto your web server from your own machine.  This avoids having to give out your login credentials.  The third option is the standard installation for experienced users to download the PHPizabi core software package that step through the web-based installer.  This option allows the advanced user to modify and customize files as needed.

Performance

Aft er installing this software on my web server and testing it for a day with up to five test users, I noticed that the application appears to run fairly fast and efficiently, however there's no easy way to test how the system works under heavy load.  We experienced no bugs with the software during our brief test run, and the add-on modules are extremely easy to install and set up.  Functionality can be added or removed with just a few simple mouse-clicks.

Overview

PHPizabi is one of the few open-source social networking platforms that are also robust and secure.  Obviously one of the prime advantages of using PHPizabi is that since it is open-source, it is also free.  This software is highly functional with state of the art well-coded modules, with an intuitive interface, excellent security features, and impressively fast processing time. 

I would recommend PHPizabi for both the beginner website owner interested in starting their first social networking website - since the software and setup is free.  However the software is robust enough to support more advanced and commercial social networking websites as well.