PHP Script to Socially Network The Elderly...

February 7, 2009 6:26 PM

Performing community work for a elderly care facility. They are interested in hosting a "facebook" for their 100+ residents. Plenty of computers around. Need help choosing an open source package.

Requirements:
1. Self-hosted
2. Dead simple to use from an end user perspective
3. Each client has their own page
4. Main component is allowing family members to communicate with resident and vice versa through blogging, messaging, and private email.
5. PHP and MYSQL (if needed)

I would love to use an open source package.

Any suggestions? With your suggestion please list any mod/plugin/addon that might be needed to do the job :)

(I've looked at Wordpress MU, Elgg, and Drupal. Haven't ruled them out but default install and few hours led me to believe they wouldn't fit the bill.)

posted by bleucube to computers & internet (4 comments total)

Is Ning not an option? It's hosted externally, but would save you a lot of work.
posted by krunk at 7:25 PM on February 7

Elgg is a decent candidate.
posted by roue at 7:37 PM on February 7

Have to rule out Ning. They might at one point want to make it private without additional cost.
posted by bleucube at 9:38 PM on February 7

What about BuddyPress?
posted by belladonna at 6:27 AM on February 8