Social Computing

I've been wandering around these so-called social computing sites lately. Sites ranging from online bookmark sharing to massively online multi-player games like Club Penguin. I must admit, it is a cool idea. Socializing on the web should not just be limited to chat-rooms. There are some really good ideas out there which are rapidly popularizing the e-socializing culture.

Club Penguin gives you an eye-candy arctic world where people play as penguins. The graphics and mini-games are good enough to keep the newbie interested. For people who have loads of friends playing this MMORPG, its a totally amazing experience. Reading the online penguin newspaper I've found out that these friend-groups throw huge parties from time to time. Amazing concept. Loved the idea.

StarportGE, another multi-player online game. Its a closely resembles one the of games I am personally developing. But this game is unique in the sense that though its an RTS, it is incomplete without the online part. Player get a whole galaxy to colonize. Money is earned through AI controlled trading stations. Players can shape the character to be good or evil. The galactic police stations offer rewards for defeating the leading enemy players. Over-all amazing game play experience makes up for what it lacks in the graphics department. Too bad I haven't found games similar to it.