Digg adds social networking features

[mandy]

On Sept. 19 the company is launching a host of new features that might seem more at home on Facebook or News Corp.'s (NWS) MySpace than on a Web site where users post links to online articles and other media. The intent is to make it easier for users to find others who share their passions by enabling them to form small groups of "friends" and create fuller personal profiles. "This is really the first time that we have enabled communications between users," says Rose.

Instead of submitting stories for review by the larger Digg community, users will be able to send—"shout" in Digg terms—story links along with messages to particular Digg friends. Friends, or small groups of friends, also will be able to chat or discuss stories on their personal pages with posts to a message board, a feature akin to the "wall" on Facebook.
Stronger Identities

Digg's new emphasis on user profile pages is also designed to let users better define their presence on the site by posting multiple photos, personal interests, biographical information, and even links to a member's personal blog, social network profile, or Web page...

full article: http://www.businessweek.com/technology/c...438912.htm