Creating a new Social Networking site. Recommended framework for starting up?

Question

Okay, so we are now developing a new Social Networking site where users will be able to add content, meet (and add new friends) new people, etc. However, we will also have a rating system like Stackoverflow has (The concept of badges). But there are a lot more features than just these, that we require (For example, retrieving content via Ajax, like on Facebook's more button at the bottom of your NewsFeed) I was thinking of making something from ground up, using CakePHP. But I am also confused if I should modify an existing open source Social Networking engine,like Elgg, instead. Will I be reinventing the wheel if I were to work on CakePHP? Development time is not a factor for me. Also could you contrast between the disadvantages (is security one of them?) between the options that I might possibly have (CakePHP vs Elgg vs Drupal vs anything else). I am more open to anything at this point too, Any suggestion would be much appreciated.

P.S - I know Drupal and Elgg are not frameworks, but to me, they look like viable options as well.

Thank you

Answer 1

The options are as vast as your potential needs for a reason: there isn't a single answer and the solution fitting my needs won't fit yours. I don't have much experience with fully featured engines like Elgg, but as I already know Drupal I know I'll seriously consider Drupal Commons. Drupal's learning curve is steep but it worths it. Drupal Commons is not a closed package, it builds and Drupal and its modularity. So you won't end up looking for scarce expertise with only a few good services providers available.

Answer 2

Being a Drupal dev myself, I'd say you'd have to consider Ruby on Rails. After all, Twitter was conceived with it as far as I know. Ruby on Rails is designed to get almost any idea fast to market. Drupal is a good content management system. Do yourself a favor and give RoR due consideration.