Microsoft Wallop adds social software to instant messaging

"Wallop enables users to build online social networks in a more realistic manner than Friendster, the popular social-networking website. Friendster membership works by invitation only. [cut] Wallop, however, would be open to anyone with Microsoft Instant Messenger. Cheng says building an online network starting with your buddy list makes the networking process more natural. And instead of becoming immersed in a network the size of a city, Wallop would maintain its intimacy by automatically moving friends to the forefront and background of your network based on how often you interact with them." Wired has the story.