Emode launches Friendster foe

San Francisco-based Emode launched the Tickle Social Network after a two-month test, or beta, release. Designed to compete with Friendster, Tribe.net and other so-called social networking sites, Tickle lets people post profiles to help them make business and personal connections.

Emode said it is profitable already through its fee-based personality quizzes and matchmaking service. The company claims more than 6 million users of the latter service, and 500,000 of the Tickle beta, out of 15 million active members overall. Investors in Emode include August Capital.