USATODAY.com - Google units include social networking, photos, maps. I've always thought that the process of getting gmail invites and spreading them around to friends, acquaintances, etc. is a huge covert social experiment on which google is embarking -- apart from the overt service that Orkut provides.
Google has added several offerings that seemingly have nothing to do with search, including:Posted by johnvu at December 20, 2004 10:47 PM- Social networking site Orkut. Named after Google engineer Orkut Buyukkokten, it's a place where potential business associates, friends and singles can linger and discuss topics of interest.