May 17

"Hi, I hope you don't mind me emailing you... you seem really nice so I thought I'd stop by and say hi." Sound familiar? It should.

For the tens of millions of people all over the world with an internet connection, the likes of Myspace and Facebook are the current cool tools to play with.

I mean, why settle for chatting to your next door neighbour about the weather when you can chat on an instant messaging service with Tom from Venezuela about how to cook rice, or Jacky from Mexico about the surfing conditions in Tijuana?



Websites like the aforementioned are new social networks for all walks of life: the loner, the lover, the geek, and even the chic.

I have to admit I became sucked in about two years ago... and I've only just managed to crawl my way out.

It's like web heroin without the side affects (that is unless you count the loss of normal friends and the making of cyber friends as as downside).

Like many will tell you, it becomes addictive. So addictive that, when you wake, you begin wondering whether your new-found 'friends' in Australia, Africa or Tijuana are up and thinking the same as you.

Before you know it you've skipped breakfast, and lunch, and you're straight into a three-course conversation about nothing.

And that's the thing. When you begin making 'friends' and chatting to them on a regular basis, you don't really talk about anything.

'How's the weather in your world today?', 'When are you coming up to London?', What are you up to at the weekend?. It's all drivel really.

But that's doesn't matter in Myspace world. It's more knowing that there's someone on this planet living (possibly) on the other side of the world who wants to know a). what you're doing; and b). who you are.

It's nice to know you have friends.

Also if you're single then the likes of Myspace is the Holy Grail - it is the communicative tool that thousands (if not millions) of unlucky in love boys and girls have been waiting for.

But if reading this you are thinking 'hmmm... I might give it a go', be warned. Like every bus station and train carriage in the world, your Myspace or Facebook profile will attract the weirdos.

You know the sort, the people that come up to you and spurt off some random tosh about squirrels and jam or something.

In cyber world they multiply. They have a free roam to pop up and say hello to whoever they want no-holds-barred as whatever character or personality they wish.

A colleague mentioned in a conversation earlier that there are rumoured to be around 15,000 paedophiles that use Myspace. And I can believe it.

Many girls of all ages (and women for that matter) believe posting pictures of themselves half naked will result in them attracting more 'friends'.

Agreed it ultimately will, but everyone and I mean EVERYONE can look at them, make a comment, and pass on to other friends.

It's scary but true.

That said to the millions upon millions of us who appreciate the site and use it for its main purpose - to meet 'nice' people, love it.

Personally I love Myspace for the music. That is the social glue that holds it together for me.

A band or solo performer sends you a friend request, you click on it and bang, you can experience a whole new sound that the world's record labels haven't discovered yet.

Like the Arctic Monkeys (who used the site to spread the word and ultimately launch their career) it makes gods of mere men.

Look hard enough and you'll also find the celebrities... or at least they sound and seem like the celebrities you and I know.

Is it Will Ferrell? Is that really Madonna? Would Kate Moss REALLY post those pictures of herself and take the mickey so much...?

Only they know the answer because so many people make up profiles to make themselves popular. Weird isn't it?!

One person that I know is very real, and really very nice, is former Eastenders actress and Bend It Like Beckham star Pooja Shah.

Pooja sent me a friend request last year and we've remained 'friends' ever since discussing her career etc.

The likes of Myspace are mindless fun for the new generation of web users.

Click on, tune in, drop out...



If you can pull yourself away from your new 'friends' then why not try out these...

Title: God of War II

Platform: Sony PS2

RRP: £29.99

Hit count: 4/5

If blood, gore and violence is your bag then you're going to love the return of God of War. Full to the brim of action, the hit saga of 2005 returns in fantastic form.

The story follows Kratos looking for an escape from his ultimate fate as the latest god of war.

Will he make the journey or will he fall foul of just about every mythological creature in the creepiest of creepy books. Your call...



Title: Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters

Platform: Sony PSP

RRP: £34.99

Hit count: 5/5

Get ready for what just could be the best Ratchet & Clank game ever released - on the Sony PSP.

Sony's favourite platform duo return in portable form in fantastic form in a version which looks a thousands times different from its old PS2 format.

The humour remains, as does the playability. However this one focuses more on the two characters and their story rather than the preferred online team battles.

It's a welcome relief and one which is aided by cutesy graphics.