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​​​​MICROSOFT WATCH -- May 3 -- Microsoft has moved 10 of its
social-computing experts from Microsoft Research onto its Windows user
interface team. Social-networking technologies, including blogs, Wikis,
and RSS, are likely to play a key part in the Longhorn "Aero"
interface. Cheng is known as the main mover and shaker behind "Wallop,"
Microsoft's Friendster-like social-networking prototype that combines
blogging, Wiki and RSS technologies. Cheng and her team also have
worked on Stacks for organizing photos; Personal Map for organizing
contacts, and MS Connect and Point-to-Point, which show connections
between people, individuals and groups. FULL ARTICLE @ MICROSOFT WATCH

Mark Brooks:
In 1999/2000 I was working on a site called eturn.com; an early version
of plaxo/social network. MSN killed jump.com in 2000 after
acquiring it in 1999. Message from MSN.

They melded new features into MSN including, "the ability to invite
others to group events," and, "your space on the web to create,
publish, and share pictures, files, calendars and information with
friends and family." MSN wanted to further their, "vision of The
Everyday Web and are dedicated to offering solutions to help simplify
your life and you keep in contact with friends and family."
Social networking is not a new concept. Friendster got the
design, name and viral seeding right. MySpace added a little meat
to the bone with their affinity for music, and they recognised users
wanted more freedom to express themselves.p>