What is Orkut

Orkut joins the ranks of dozens of similar social networking services. There are now so many that they have gained the acronym YASN (yet another social network).

But what differentiates Orkut from the others? One of its allures is its exclusivity. A user can only join when invited of a current member. Some entrepreneurial users have started selling invitations on eBay for $11.

Another advantage is its speed. Fans of Orkut say it is like Friendster, but faster, simpler to use and has more features. Registering and finding friends is the main feature. Borrowing from Yahoo groups, users can join, post messages and establish communities for their interests, ranging from “BusNuts” to “Thucydides.” The Stanford community of Orkut already has more than 485 members.

Unlike many online networks, Orkut is less focused on dating, downplaying the stigma that typically accompanies this kind of service. Its mission, as stated on their Web site, is “to increase the overall satisfaction of social life and provide the necessary tools for a more efficient and intimate environment.”

However, some claim that Orkut offers nothing new, only taking bits and pieces from existing services. Others disapprove of the unsophisticated relationship system: somebody is either a “friend” or not. It never distinguishes between a one-time acquaintance, best friend and family. People can only rate each other as trustworthy, sexy, and cool, or become somebody’s fan.

This is what ORKUT.COM tells about itself

Orkut is an online community designed to make your social life more active and stimulating. orkut's social network can help you maintain existing relationships with pictures and messages, and establish new ones by reaching out to people you've never met before.

orkut makes it easy to find people who share your hobbies and interests, look for romantic connections or establish new business contacts. You can also create and join a wide variety of online communities to discuss current events, reconnect with old school mates or even exchange your favorite recipes.

Who you interact with is entirely up to you. Before getting to know an orkut member, you can read their profile and even see how they're connected to you through the friends network. To join orkut, simply sign in with your Google Account and you can begin to create your own profile right away. If you do not have a Google Account yet, we will help you create one in minutes.
It is our mission to help you create a closer, more intimate network of friends. We hope to put you on the path to social bliss soon.
Enjoy (=