Another social networking site? WTF?! Can't people get enough of socnets that one pops up every minute? Are people so detached physically that we compensate virtually? What the heck is Facebook?

Facebook is a social utility that connects people with friends and others who work, study and live around them.People use Facebook to keep up with friends, upload an unlimited number of photos, share links and videos, and learn more about the people they meet.

That was taken from the site's About page. So, why use it? You can upload an unlimited number of photos, get in touch with long lost friends, and let the world know where you are and what you're doing. And it's free. So it's like MySpace or Friendster, but with a touch of Twitter. Eyng?! One thing it isn't, it won't help me take over the world. Or would it? Hmmm. you can also look for jobs using the site, but isn't that what Geekfinder or Monster is all about? And it displays ads. Not Google ads though. Hmmm. What the heck is Eskwela? Eskwela is the Filipino translation of School. Or is it the Spanish translation? I know the Tagalog word for school is Paaralan. Anyway, why use it?

Eskwela is focused on you, the student and alumni. Eskwela was built by Filipinos, for Filipinos in the Philippines! 1) My Classes: who's that cute chick in Econ 101? How about that sexy guy in CS 101? List your classes and get to know your classmates. You can also review and discuss. 2) Who's Who: an online directory of your classmates, coursemates, collegemates, batchmates and schoolmates. Enuff said! 3) Unlimited: you can add as many friends and upload as many photos as you want. Absolutely no limits. 4) Exclusivity: you are a part of an exclusive group of people. 5) Tagging: the entire site is built on the concept of tagging, a sort-of built-in search for discovery.

This was taken from the customary welcome email message from the CEO, Terence Pua. How come there isn't an About page for Eskwela? Beats me. Membership is by invite only. For now, I guess. So what's different with this one? It shows Google ads. It provides you with a badge, some sort of an ID. It functions like MySpace or Friendster. No Twitter-ism, but you can follow Eskwela's Twits though. What's the difference between the two? I can't tell yet, besides the obvious faster loading of Facebook and the user's "Wall." And Eskwela's virtual ID badge. Can someone shed light on this question? With the advent of Web 2.0 came Social Networking. Another reason for people to stay at home, lose their life (in case they had one), and connect to people virtually. This reminds me of the movie "Powder."

Donald Ripley: It has become appallingly clear that our technology has surpassed our humanity. Powder: Albert Einstein. Donald Ripley: When I look at you, I have hope that maybe one day our humanity will surpass our technology.