An ISU student recently launched a Web site designed to help families keep in contact.

Zachary Smith, junior in pre-computer science, created the site MyKin.us as a family-friendly alternative to other personal networking sites such as MySpace and Facebook.

MyKin, launched March 14, offers a private way for families to keep in touch, share pictures and update each other about important events.

“We decided not to allow open viewing of profiles for safety and privacy,” Smith said. “Only other family members are able to access a user’s profile.”

MyKin was not intended to be a competitor of Facebook, Smith said.

“A lot of people wouldn’t want their mom to see some of their Facebook pictures,” Smith said. “They could get a MyKin account in addition to Facebook or MySpace.”

International students separated from their families could use MyKin to keep in touch.

“I think a lot of our international students would try something like this to talk to their families,” said Olamide Shadiya, undeclared graduate student and president of the International Student Council at Iowa State.

Smith and MyKin co-founder Michael Basten said they spent about three months creating the site.

“Zach [Smith] handles all of the Web design, and I take care of marketing and everything else,” said Basten, who graduated from the University of Iowa with a degree in economics.

The two have shared the dream of starting a business together since childhood, Basten said. Both grew up in Solon and have been friends for as long as they can remember, he said.

Smith and Basten said they spent time overseas separated from their families, which eventually gave Smith the inspiration for creating MyKin.

“As soon as Zach started telling me about MyKin, I knew it was a great idea,” Basten said.

During the creation process, Smith said he typically worked 20 to 25 hours per week on MyKin, in addition to taking 16 credits and working 15 hours per week as a Web developer for Iowa State.

“I basically didn’t have a social life for the past three months,” he said.

“I’m just glad we finally got it up and running.”

Despite the sacrifices required to create the Web site, Smith said his hard work appears to be paying off.

“We’ve already attracted hundreds of users,” he said. “But we hope to see many more joining in the future.”