Interesting post, thansk for the insight.

I was just about to start with using dolphin. As it looked the best for what I wanted to do. I dont want to do everything from scratch as that would take way to long

What would be a good alternative? I dont want to start from scratch! But I do need to rewrite quite a bit.

Goal it to have somethign like linkdin but with additional features (and a few features taht are not required). It is basically for business to find each other.

My question is which one is written the best, in terms of easy code (maybe some framework as used) so that it it easy to understand use and change.

I found the following (including dolphin 7 which you said was bad)

BoonEx - Community Software Experts
SocialEngine PHP Social Network Script - Create your own social media community!
DZOIC :: Video Sharing Script and Social Networking Script - Youtube Clone - Myspace Clone - Youtube Script - Myspace Script
iScripts SocialWare - the social networking engine
Dating Software Pro: Start making money with our dating script!
SkaDate - Dating Software | Community Software & Online Dating Script
Image Hosting and Community Software. Social Networking script
Community Software TV CMS - Run your own video community allowing your members to share and access direct download and streaming links for TV Shows and Movies

any advice on the above? I am worried to go with dolphin in the moment as it seems their code is bad, and I am worried it will have issue as