social-networking

Rule #15 of creating an Internet start-up: Short names are good. Just look at all the companies that are eliminating letters from their names--i.e. Flickr. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like the brains behind STATravel193 got that memo. STATravel193 is a new social networking site created by STA Travel, an agency which organizes study-abroad logistics for students. The thinking behind "193" is cute--there are 193 countries in the world--but the site's name comes across as sounding like an AOL screenname.

Nevertheless, I'm hoping that Web users will be able to get past the awkward name … Read more

Mosoto is a Web-based app for Facebook, giving you a virtual desktop with chat, music, and file sharing built right in. Mosoto allows you to chat with other Facebook friends and swap photos, music, and videos using a shared storage folder from Box.net. As a service, Mosoto is meant to replace desktop applications for chatting and music.

The music player's user interface takes a design cue from iTunes. Double-clicking a song starts playing it instantly, almost like it's running off your hard drive--a good use of streaming. You also can quickly make playlists with simple drag-and-drop functions. … Read more

Ever wanted to score some hot Michael Kors boots, but didn't want to book the trip to Rodeo Drive? FashMatch.com is bringing that fancy shopping strip (and your local mall) to your computer.

Technically speaking, Fashmatch.com is a consumer social-networking site where visitors can put together outfits from various designers and swap fashion tips and advice. Last week, CNET News.com reporter Caroline McCarthy blogged about ShopStyle.com, another online shopping site. FashMatch and ShopStyle point to clothes shopping 2.0 as an up-and-coming trend.

With FashMatch, fashionistas are three steps away from having their dream outfit … Read more

At the MIT Enterprise Forum event last week, I talked to the founders of Wis.dm, a new site that's a blend of social bookmarking and social networking. I'd call it a social network for ideas. I like it a lot.

On Wis.dm, as on other social neworks, you can define who your friends are (they're "contacts" on Wis.dm). But Wis.dm is primarily a social bookmarking site: You collect Web sites, videos, and photos, add them to your "portfolio," and tag them as you wish. Then people can discuss your … Read more

Part social network and part 3D virtual world, Kaneva also throws in a dash of YouTube, with media sharing for pictures and Flash video. I received news of the service today, but Kaneva has been kicking about since late 2004. Essentially you begin with a standard social-network profile, then earn prestige points to work your way up a site leaderboard until you're invited to join the 3D social world, which launched its beta in April of last year.

Points are given as rewards for adding content to your profile and interacting with other Keneva members. Once you join the … Read more

Hey, style freaks: here's another reason to spend more time on the Internet. ShopStyle is a search engine that will paw through the inventories of all kinds of online clothing sites to find exactly what you're searching for. I'm not much of an online shopper since I like to try things on before buying them, but I can see ShopStyle being a very valuable search tool for people who dig the bargains that can be found on clothing sites.

We're not talking a simple Froogle-style interface here. ShopStyle is very Ajax-y. Search results scroll sideways, … Read more

Okay, here are some things that tick me off: irritating cell phone ringtones, fast food, the Comic Sans font, Paris Hilton, bad grammar, and SpongeBob Squarepants. Generally, they don't get on my nerves nearly enough for me to want to tell everyone about it--but sometimes the annoyance reaches a level where I just want to...vent.

Enter VentBox, which is basically a forum for complaints. Type in something that irritates you, write whatever you want about it; not only will it post your vent on the site, it'll also connect you to other VentBox users who are ranting … Read more

You know, the sports world has made a much smoother transition to the digital age than I'd thought it would. Maybe it was the stereotype lingering in my brain of jocks and wannabe jocks having a disdain for anything nerdy, but I would've thought that sports Web sites and social networks would be slow to get off the ground. Man, was I wrong--just look at fantasy sports, as well as some growing social networks like Takkle. Here's another AlwaysOn attendee, PicksPal, which is a community for people who follow sports so closely that they think they can … Read more

Want to make a timeline of your life, but can't remember every single detail? That's cool, if you use OurStory, an interactive Web timeline of, well, anything.

The site officially exited beta on Tuesday and launched Wednesday here at Demo 07. OurStory lets users collect and organize photos, videos, and blogs chronologically. It's a social timeline, because you can invite your family and friends to contribute their own content to your timeline or just add their comments. If you prefer, OurStory can be antisocial too; set it so no one can help you or see the timeline … Read more