Comment on item 1:
You will need a dedicated server to enrich the social networking business logic. As matter of fact, I am currently working on a php+mysql based project. Even with paid web hosting service(shared space), there is only a few of hosting company offers access to stuff like cron job.
By the way, I voluntarily implemented a half completed Instant Messager for CFC about 6 years ago which is wrapping around the QQH system(when AJAX wasn't even introduced). Unfortunately I don't have the time to complete that. Guess what, renren.com/facebook.com is having the similar feature integrated into their site.
Well that was off topic. The issue this social networking idea on CFC forum isn't really ideal. People use this site as a life tool not a hangout site. I guess that's the reason behind the introduction of comefromchina.net.
Comment on item 2:
Flash? I don't think so. Things like that are just tool/framework/protocol from my point of view. You could do better than that.
It's more likely Web 2.0 will dominate the world in next couple decades (or it's already happening).
There is a trend for social publishing tool:
50-70s : Newspaper / TV (Media takes the lead)
80s : Internet (Website takes the lead)
90-00s : Internet (Users take the lead) (Web 2.0)
Newspaper / TV will die or barely survive as people from 50-70s will be gone, the meaning of having these tools is weakening.
That also apply to Internet (Website takes the lead) trend. 80s will die out in the next 50-60 years.
90-00s is a generation that willingly to express themselves publicly. They loves to let the world know what's happening around themselves. That, my friend, it's the future of business. People just haven't found the golden method to make the perfect website for 90-00s generation, and all these Flash, HTML5, Dojo, Ajax tools/frameworks/protocols will be disappeared/replaced/enhanced when the ingredients have been discovered.
