Peer to peer social networking is nothing new - it's been tried by many providers and is still maintained by most. ICQ is a prime example, as is microsoft /google / yahoo / whatever messenger. Each provider extends their own version with related tools - such as the orkut social network for google talk or windows live for windows messenger. Most also integrate this into their own sites wither directly or via widgets. Millions of people already use peer to peer tools to communicate on a daily basis. see more This was the communications of the past - Social networking has evolved - it's now different.

2 things (apart from the very obvious that I've already stated above)...

1. Making users download and install clients is a step backwards as far as internet technology is concerned. This is why technologies such as activex and ajax are so successful as they allow asynchronous services such as peer to peer communications to be run within a browser - something that is easily accessible to everybody - everywhere. Installing things on computers is something that we as developers might take for granted - but is actually quite beyond the scope of most computer users. By reverting back to this technology, you have instantly just lost most of your market. Also, using torrent networks as a yardstick is also not a good idea, as in my opinion they are a completely different demographic.

2. Why try to create a service that rivals these already established major players? - you simply do not stand a chance! it would be a completely wasted effort. Why not concentrate on developing extensions to your existing product that augment these existing services. Work with them - not against them.

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