MySpace, Facebook, LinkedIn

There's been much interest lately in the social networking sites MySpace, Facebook and LinkedIn. I've been asked to comment on radio, TV and in major newspapers about them.

Although they all come under the heading of networking and community sites, there are vast differences between them. You create your own 'page' on the site which is like your own little home on the web. You invite your own direct friends/colleagues to join you and you can view your friend's contacts in case there's someone you'd like to connect with and you can ask for an introduction.

Firstly, MySpace and Facebook are used for social networking. I find MySpace almost impossible to use and I guess I'm showing my age - but I find it slow to load, clunky to navigate and never seem to be able to find anyone or anything using the Search facility. It does seem to be the best place for groups of all kinds to gather - like music bands, book clubs and the like.

Facebook on the other hand is much neater, easier to navigate, quick to search and much more fun! There are great little applications you can add to your community page to make it really fun.. like 'places I've travelled' which is like a little push pin map of the world.

LinkedIn on other other hand is more of a business tool - it doesnt have all the fun toys or photo albums and it really is aimed at connecting like minded business people through their own existing contacts.

What do you think - have you used any of them, and what makes one your favourite?