Thing 19-Other Social Networks

It's interesting to see all the places that people go to try and connect online through various social networks. The first social network that I signed up for many years ago was called Friendster. I just looked it up and it still exists and my account from 8 years ago is still active. Whodathunk!@#$? I never got very involved with it, because I felt kind of foolish sending out friend requests to total strangers. It also felt unsafe and vulnerable.
Webjunction is a network that I'm familiar with. I got an email from them once and signed up to get the newsletter. I get a newsletter from them quarterly, or monthly, I'm not sure. They sometimes have useful information, so professionally, I like this social networking site, although I have not utilized it fully.
I tried out Ning and I think the concept is interesting. I looked up a variety of potential social network groups including, Peace Corps, Families with Children from China, Nepal and Parenting Teens. I found some interesting sounding groups, but I could not explore most of them because I needed an invitation to visit or I needed an account--I'm not ready to sign up for a new account. I did peruse the "Nepal" group, since it was completely open and it looked like Facebook. Members loading photos, sending comments to eachother etc. The idea is good and maybe I'll want to join a group sometime, but I didn't find anything too compelling tonight. My life is too full right now to join another anything.
I perused Gather and it once again seemed like Facebook. I couldn't quite see how it was different from the others. I read through the profile of one of the highlighted users and it seemed very personal. I didn't see the conversation.
Social networking has some benefits, but mostly for folks who want to connect virtually rather than in person. I guess the virtual connection may eventually lead to a personal connection...but I don't know yet.