Log on to shop, swap or chop

ThisNext.com

Shopping sites are doing the social-networking thing, just like so many other Web hotspots.

Earlier versions of this idea included the not-so-well designed Epinions.com or ad-saturated Shopzilla.com.

One new version that’s attuned to networking the views and opinions of its members is ThisNext.com. Started earlier this year in Los Angeles, the site helps people share shopping lists, product recommendations and observations on retailers and products available on other sites.

ThisNext sells nothing itself; it’s a Web 2.0-inspired clubhouse with lots of interactive options, like chat, blogs and a widget that lets you bookmark an item you spot on any other site. That “bookmarklet” instantly posts a recommendation to the ThisNext site for whatever item you’re looking at.

Other sites worth comparing with ThisNext: StyleFeeder.com and Stylehive.com.

Games to swap? SaySwap

Sharing online has evolved into trading. SaySwap.com, launched recently in Los Angeles, is one of the first to provide a simple network for online video gamers to trade products. The lure is a chance to try out games without spending way too much for a game you might only play two or three times.

The site lets users create accounts and earn points through trades or purchases. Just like the popular music-trading site LaLa.com, SaySwap enables one-to-one deals.

For holiday meals, or just a snack

Started recently in Seattle, BigOven.com has jumped right on board the networking chuckwagon and declares itself the newest and most innovative example of a cooking community site.

It says it offers 160,000 recipes and more than 20,000 registered members.

Among its offerings: Ingredient Insight, an automatic visual display of a recipe’s key ingredients; a cook’s dictionary (illustrated); a Leftover Wizard (we use two dogs for that); and a “try soon” queue to prompt you to try some meal you’ve always wished you had attempted Care to compare? Try out similar site AllRecipes.com.