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Microsoft Launches Social Network

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the bill-is-your-buddy dept.

prostoalex writes "Inspired by the fast growth of social networks such as Facebook and MySpace, Microsoft is launching a test version of its own social network. Wallop brands itself as 'the exclusive social experience,' and is technically a separate company, a startup that's based on technologies developed by Microsoft Research. As far as revenues, Wallop 'plans to sell graphics and other features people can use to decorate their personal profile pages,' says MSNBC."

12 of 153 comments (clear)

  1. A slice of M$, a la mode by ackthpt · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Wallop brands itself as 'the exclusive social experience', and is technically a separate company, a startup that's based on technologies developed by Microsoft Research. As far as revenues, Wallop 'plans to sell graphics and other features people can use to decorate their personal profile pages'

    Exclusive? I suppose the old invite a friend to join thing is the barrier to keeping seedier people (like most slashdotters and OSS & Linux evangelists) out.

    'Sell graphics and other features ...' Hey, I've got an idea. Why not just build your own website and run a blog on it. Sounds cheaper and more exclusive.

    'technologies developed by Microsoft Research' Does this mean there will be an endless parade of vulnerabilities and patches? That's what I associate with their technologies, based upon a very well established track record. I see it features Flash on the home page. What happened to Microsoft's alternative to that?

    Late to yet another dance, Microsoft attempts once again to show they brought the best date. Not a bad looker, but just don't ask about the white streaks in her hair and the bolt in her neck...

    in soviet russia invite wallops YOU!

    --

    A feeling of having made the same mistake before: Deja Foobar
    1. Re:A slice of M$, a la mode by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Insightful

      This is retarded. How many people are really going to pay for things that they can do for free on other sites that are well established.

    2. Re:A slice of M$, a la mode by Lumpy · · Score: 3, Interesting

      late to another dance is even worse. Second life launched their Teen second life and it is growing like crazy. The fact that kids can "buy" land and build their own "crib" is growing faster than even facebook or myspace is. My daughter was in on the first day it started and she mentioned that not only is land prices soaring but the number of new people is drastic every day. The fact you can "broadcast" you music in your area to friends is really cool and the 3d aspect makes it feel a bit more high tech.

      --
      Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.
    3. Re:A slice of M$, a la mode by Pollardito · · Score: 5, Funny

      after a thorough review of myspace i have determined that the people there don't really want attractive graphics, so i agree that this business model is not very sound

  2. Ouch! by atrader42 · · Score: 4, Funny

    I can't exactly picture joining a service entitled "Wallop", no matter how many friends I have on there...it sounds pretty painful!
    "Hey Joe! I just walloped you!"
    "Ow! Screw you!"

  3. $ocial network by Dargoth_Rejuv · · Score: 5, Funny

    What a useless idea. Lets take someone else's good idea, and make people pay all sorts of fees to make it look worth a damn! Sounds like an excellent idea to me, where do I sign up?

  4. Who do you want to meet today? by Phantom+of+the+Opera · · Score: 4, Funny

    Hi, you seem to be writing a personal add. I can help. Your writing is too cornball.
      -MS Romeo
  5. Microsoft does not own this... by xENoLocO · · Score: 5, Informative

    This is a private venture that used to be owned by Microsoft. Microsoft doesn't fund, did not develop, and has nothing to do with this site anymore.

    --
    "The need to build the internet comes from something inside us, something programmed... something we can't resist."
  6. An appropriate name by smooth+wombat · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Consider the following:

    1. to beat soundly; thrash.
    2. Informal. to strike with a vigorous blow; belt; sock: After two strikes, he walloped the ball out of the park.
    3. Informal. to defeat thoroughly, as in a game.

    Considering the success, or lack thereof, of other attempts by Microsoft to enter already established markets, their name will be exactly what will happen to them.

    Granted, I'm sure the reason for the name was to imply that the service will beat Facebook and MySpace but really, the marketing folks should have used history as a guide before settling on the name.

    --
    We will bankrupt ourselves in the vain search for absolute security. -- Dwight D. Eisenhower
  7. In a Microsoft social networking site... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Clippy pops up and says...
    "It looks like you are need some friends. Would you like some help with that?"

  8. Dear M$: you missed the bandwagon! by v3xt0r · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Well, I'm sorry to tell you MS, but MySpace KILLED-IT. You can try to follow in it's foot-steps, but good luck with that.

    The fact of the matter is...

    A) The name 'myspace' has a lot to do with it's popularity. 'Wallop' is a word that 68% of those myspace users have never heard of, so the chances of it catching-on, or them being able to spell it even, is very slim.

    B) The whole myspace phenom is long over. The majority of people who use myspace STILL, are not likely to switch to yet another social networking site. They've been to Friendster, tribez, etc. MySpace works for them.

    C) The majority of people who have moved-on from myspace MAY be interested in some less-shady alternative, but I suspect that they are 'over it' with the whole social networking fetish.

    Why don't they use that R&D dept. to actually innovate something for once. I mean... seriously, what a waste!

    --
    the only permanence in existence, is the impermanence of existence.
  9. Front page is pointless by Ed+Avis · · Score: 4, Interesting

    OK so I click on the link and what do I see... no useful content whatsoever, just some marketspeak about an 'exclusive social experience'. Why would I bother spending five minutes to sign up? Wikipedia shows how to do it right: the front page is interesting reading, regularly updated, full of featured articles and 'did you know' to draw people into the site.

    --
    -- Ed Avis ed@membled.com