Spring Break
The Daily OrangeCome together: lesser-known social networking sites offer alternatives to Internet giants, MySpace, Facebook
By Andrew Kase
Posted: 3/29/07, 11:44 PM EST Section: Feature
Social networking may be a relatively new fad, but it's not one to likely go away anytime soon. For such a popular phenomenon, it has gained even more steam in the past few years, as MySpace and Facebook have emerged as social networking juggernauts.
Now other Web sites are trying to get in on the action, as Buzznet, Xanga, Bolt, Hi5 and Bebo have all risen in the social networking world. Although sites may sometimes appear to be carbon copies of other sites on the surface, each offers unique features exclusive to the site.
The competition is heating up as sites are adding new features, such as uploading photos, videos and including news reports on their sites.
Though, the big question is if other sites can duplicate the success of the original social networking giants.
Whether it's catching up with old friends, uploading fun photos or just meeting new people, there is a gargantuan allure of social networking Web sites, especially these days, when new ones are popping up all over the Internet.
BUZZNET:
Buzznet, founded in 2003, has visual appeal, with the member and friend angle, but also offers political, national, pop culture and music news.
The news featured on the Web site is updated daily and often highlights some particularly gossipy news. Whether the news focuses on Paris Hilton's latest escapades or whom Hollywood starlets are dating, these tidbits are always juicy. The section is ironically called "Buzzed."
Many people on Buzznet have their own blogs, whether it is in words or photos. Famous bands even have their own blogs, including as Gym Class Heroes and Fall Out Boy's Pete Wentz.
Probably some of the most unique features of the site are the community-shared content, from groups to blogs to videos.
Every week, certain news items are featured more prominently than other stories, and the same applies to user-generated (as well as videos found all over the Internet) videos.
XANGA:
Now other Web sites are trying to get in on the action, as Buzznet, Xanga, Bolt, Hi5 and Bebo have all risen in the social networking world. Although sites may sometimes appear to be carbon copies of other sites on the surface, each offers unique features exclusive to the site.
The competition is heating up as sites are adding new features, such as uploading photos, videos and including news reports on their sites.
Though, the big question is if other sites can duplicate the success of the original social networking giants.
Whether it's catching up with old friends, uploading fun photos or just meeting new people, there is a gargantuan allure of social networking Web sites, especially these days, when new ones are popping up all over the Internet.
BUZZNET:
Buzznet, founded in 2003, has visual appeal, with the member and friend angle, but also offers political, national, pop culture and music news.
The news featured on the Web site is updated daily and often highlights some particularly gossipy news. Whether the news focuses on Paris Hilton's latest escapades or whom Hollywood starlets are dating, these tidbits are always juicy. The section is ironically called "Buzzed."
Many people on Buzznet have their own blogs, whether it is in words or photos. Famous bands even have their own blogs, including as Gym Class Heroes and Fall Out Boy's Pete Wentz.
Probably some of the most unique features of the site are the community-shared content, from groups to blogs to videos.
Every week, certain news items are featured more prominently than other stories, and the same applies to user-generated (as well as videos found all over the Internet) videos.
XANGA:
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