[size=18px]Social Networking on the Fringe[/size]
By Tim Gideon, PC Magazine

Creating a MySpace profile is the quickest way to find out that your unrequited high-school love is now supporting her fourth husband with the proceeds from her ferret farm. But when the thrill of snooping on her loses its luster, there are plenty of fringe social networks to peruse for your online entertainment. Some of these sites are difficult to join, and many of them will still make you feel creepy. Just don't forget to clear your browser history.

Cuddle Party
www.cuddleparty.com
Though not a social network per se, Cuddle Party organizes platonic get-togethers for snuggling all over the country. Etiquette, including what to do when a male gets, um, aroused, is covered in the immensely entertaining FAQ section.

Tribals Tattoo Network
www.tribals.com
This is a destination for tattoo enthusiasts, particularly those who are into tribal designs. The bad news is that the site wants you to pay $9.95 a month for access to it and four others, including Shetattoos.com and TattooSpider.com. For a few bucks more, you could buy drinks at your local dive bar and make tattooed friends. (If you just want to peep, you don't have to pay.)

DwarfDate.com
www.dwarfdate.com
Attention little people: You now have your own place online to find a date. This no-frills site attracts a mostly American crowd but also draws in people from as far away as Nigeria. You may even meet your own Peter Dinklage.

Appalachian Pagan Alliance
www.angelfire.com/nb/appalachianpagan
It's high time y'all stuck-up Pagans climb off your high horse and visit the Appalachian Pagan Alliance's network, the easygoing site with useful info such as "You Might Be a Redneck Pagan if... ," which includes such gems as "If the bell on your altar was once worn by a farm animal." Busted!

MyDeathSpace
www.mydeathspace.com
For social networkers, there is one question that echoes in the dark recesses of their minds: "What will happen to my MySpace profile when I die?" Well, if you have lots of friends, it will likely become an online memorial page where they can post loving comments. The site is updated on a death-by-death basis to satisfy your morbid curiosity.

aSmallWorld
www.asmallworld.net
This social network for the elite (Naomi Campbell and Paris Hilton are rumored to have profiles) keeps the riffraff out by limiting profiles to invitation only.