A new social networking site called Wallop just launched today - it’s a spinoff from Microsoft Research and I heard about it from Don Dodge.  It looks interesting - I need to be invited to be able to test it but I like the visual aspect of the product.  Here’s some shots Don Dodge provides on his blog, the Next Big Thing.

Wallop is visually appealing and customizable by the user. In fact, customization is the business model. Wallop will sell customizable widgets (graphics, avatars, clothes, music clips, etc) so users can create their own identity and personalized space.

Flash developers are encouraged to build cool new widgets that will be available to all Wallop users in an on line marketplace. Wallop keeps 30% of the revenues and pays 70% to the developer.

With Facebook going public, plus all the buzz about MySpace - Social Networks are hot, but it’s not that clear which network is the best one to join - maybe this one, if I’m invited.