Gaggle of new networking sites may put end to MySpace's reign

0 Comments | Gazette, The (Colorado Springs), Jun 4, 2006 | by JIM BAINBRIDGE THE GAZETTE

As popular as MySpace.com has become -- it grew from 3 million teen users in April 2005 to 7.8 million just a year later -- a new report from CNET media company raises the question of how long the social-networking site can expect to hold its dominance.

CNET points to a fresh crop of teen favorites such as Memegen.net, Tagged.com, Bebo.com and MyYearbook.com, all of which attracted from 500,000 to 1 million teens in April, according to Nielsen/NetRatings, placing them among the top 20 teen Web destinations.

OMMA online media magazine sees teens and tweens supporting Web sites that "engage them on multiple interactive platforms, hold their... attention span and give them a reason to come back," -- sites such as uthtv.com, omnik.com and absolutepunk.net.

tagged.com

bebo.com

myyearbook.com

uthtv.com

omnik.com

absolutepunk.net

collegehumor.com

shopbop.com

karmaloop.com

pandora.com

GENEALOGY

The staff at Genealogy.com gets queries all the time about how to determine family relationships, so staff members have created a Web page -- complete with simple chart -- to help walk you through the process.

Bookmark this and you'll never have to wonder again how to define a third cousin once removed.

You may still have to feed them at Thanksgiving, but that's another matter.

genealogy.com/16_cousn.html

PENMANSHIP

If you've got your signature down to four letters from the actual 10 in your last name -- and those four are largely indecipherable -- you may want to stop by Zanerian.com, which is "promoting the art of ornamental penmanship."

Not only are there inspiring examples of the form, but there are online tutorials so that you, too, can produce beautiful calligraphy.

zanerian.com

MUSIC

National Geographic's Web site has a section devoted to world music, complete with bios of the artists, musical samples and some video clips.

The site is organized so you can browse by performer, region or genre.

The editor's picks will give you a good starting point if you are unfamiliar with the various musical forms.

Once you find songs that appeal to you, they can be downloaded for 99 cents each.

tinyurl.com/qnke3

TRAVEL

The Fisher House Web site is dedicated to helping the families of military members, part of a private-public partnership that helps meet "a humanitarian need beyond that normally provided by the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs."

fisherhouse.org

BROOMING

The official site of broomthrowing tells you how to play this new game/sport/art/event/recreational activity that is sweeping the nation.

brooming.20m.com

CONTACT THE WRITER: 636-0126 or jim.bainbridge@gazette.com