Well, I think its more than official, VIRB is where its at.

One thing I always thought was inane in social networking sites that I have tried (MySpace, Facebook). In general, the conversation is not that interesting or to the point, there is no great impetus to participate, or group membership is just inane as such (the "I like Cheese" groups or "Gibbs is the Awesome Name" group [which I belong to in Facebook]).

Anyway, I have been rather pleased with some of the groups I signed up for and check in on. Sure, some are adds because I am interested in X and I may want to look in on what other people on VIRB are talking about in regards to X. However, the Web Dev, CSS+VIRB, and the CSS Help and Discussion (CSS4ALL) groups have been very nice additions to my day [read distractions I tend to enjoy]. Between looking at other people's stuff (well designed stuff - work on the web beyond VIRB) and commenting like a mad hippopotamus, I can get ideas, look through code, and help other web-y people out.

Other ones, I just like lurking - I love type, but I haven't cut a face, but I like seeing what other people are doing. I like seeing other artsy crap on other groups.

I am however sad that the Interactive Fiction group is so dead. I am not completely surprised that it is not extremely popular - IF (text adventures), although supporting a rather niche but active online community, is kind of antiquated as a means of regular-ass gaming. No prob. But the group consists of me and another dude (who started the group) and me posting that this group looked lonely and the other dude saying "hi" back.

Shrug.

I should post some links and reviews to some really awesome modern IF (some games and stories that are better in some ways than many of my favorite modern games or books). Eh, maybe when I am not busy picking through CSS and posting on the active boards.

I do like the VIRB give you a little reminder of Comments on Groups (nice...) - even the fact that groups are one of the bigger (by default) items on the profile makes them more interesting to explore. I searched for groups only a little the first day or two, after that, I just looked at other people that I found and clicked on their groups that interested me.

Well, I should finish up some code before I turn it in for the day (long weekend for me for the holiday).