MySpace joins Google's OpenSocial

Challenging the alliance formed by Microsoft's recent purchase of just over one percent of Facebook, Google has announced that MySpace -- the other giant social network -- has joined the OpenSocial platform, which allows developers to write programs using one set of tools that can work across a number of social sites, eliminating the need for companies to customize their programs for each site. Chris DeWolfe, chief executive and co-founder of MySpace, told Reuters. "OpenSocial is going to become the de facto standard (for developers) instantly out of the gates. It is going to have a reach of 200 million users, which is way bigger than anything else out there." The system was unveiled earlier this week, and allows users to rank their friends, recommend music and more. Social networks such as LinkedIn and Friendster have already joined the program. Google shares passed $713 yesterday before closing at $703.