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Microsoft to take on Facebook and MySpace

After unsuccessfully trying to get the "in" to Facebook and MySpace, Microsoft decides to battle these two social networking behemoths with its own social networking site, Wallop.

Wallop was launched this past Tuesday in beta. It operates as an invitation-only network and offers free profile customization that doesn't require extensive knowledge of HTML code. One could also buy "mods" designed by Flash developers and designers to differentiate your profile.

Like Cyworld, Wallop is assuming that users want to outdo other users in site customization, so these users will buy as many "mods" as possible to have their profiles shine. As a result, there are no ads and banners on its site.

Businessweek has a somewhat lukewarm review of the site here. As it turns out, most users are in their 30s thus the site has no way to attract the young and hip crowd where online social networking is at full force. With the lack of pop-ups and flashing ads, Wallop is a pleasant browsing experience compared to the cluttered horror of MySpace. Nonetheless, there is nothing that differentiates Wallop from the rest of the social networking group besides that.

If someone has an account on Wallop, I would love to try it. Please invite me! I like trying new things despite the fact that I may leave it in a week.

posted by Koh @ 4:44 PM