Orkut registration is quick and simple, and anyone can join this social networking service. This wasn't always the case, however.
What Is Orkut?
Orkut is a social network owned and operated by Google. Google had been trying to purchase an existing network, and even made an offer to buy Friendster in 2003. When that offer was turned down, the company decided to build their own social site to try and compete with the others.
Orkut was developed by and named after Google employee Orkut Buyukkokten. While it never really took off in the United States, there are millions of registered users in Brazil, Estonia, and India.
Messages sent through Orkut are called Scraps. You can also share photos, video, and music through the service. Orkut places an emphasis on meeting new people and even rating them, as well as sharing who you may or may not have a crush on.
Early Orkut Registration
When Orkut was unveiled and in beta testing, the service was by invitation only. You could not register unless invited by an existing member. Orkut registration eventually opened up to all existing Google account holders, but by then many people were leaving the service.
The reason for the mass exodus, most pointedly by American users, was that the Brazilian members would post only in Portuguese. As the numbers shifted to favor the Brazilian users, English-speaking members declined rapidly.
In 2006, registration was opened up to anyone who wanted to join.
How to Register on Orkut
If you're interested in taking a look at Orkut registration to see what it's all about, you'll first have to create a Google account. This is easily accomplished through the Orkut homepage. If you already have a Google account, you can log in using that information.
Keep in mind that your full name and country of origin will be displayed on the Orkut sign-up form if you choose to use your existing Google account. You can sign up for another Google account using a different e-mail address if you'd like to keep some of that information private or use an alias.
Once you've logged in to your Google account, you'll be redirected to the Orkut sign-up page. A pop-up appears to tell you that you will be logged out of Google now. Click on the "yes" button to get to the form.
The form itself asks very little information up front, which includes:
- Your full name
- Date of birth
- Gender
Below these fields are the Terms of Service for both Google and Orkut. Take a moment to read these terms to have a better understanding of their privacy policy and other terms. If you agree to the terms, click on "I Accept" to continue your registration.
Log back in to your Google account on the next page, and you'll be taken to your new Orkut home page. From there you can customize your profile, search for friends, and otherwise explore the service.
A Global Social Network
Almost all social networking services are available worldwide, but Orkut is unique from popular sites like Facebook and Twitter in that the vast majority of its users live outside North America. While this can take a bit of getting used to, eventually you'll find yourself learning about different cultures and maybe even starting to pick up a new language or two!
Different Ways to Use Orkut
Since the Orkut registration process has opened to the general public, the site has continued to grow in numbers. They have kept up with technology too, as you would expect from a Google company. You can use Orkut with any SMS-enabled phone or mobile device. They also offer a "lite" version for anyone with a slower Internet connection.
Orkut offers a different user experience than other popular social sites. If you're looking to expand your social horizons, give Orkut a try.
