With so many social networks on the web today, and so many users flocking to them, how is the average netizen supposed to know where they belong? Never fear, Reputation.com is here to give you some guidance.

First, some background. The Internet itself is as a sort of social network and has always been. Beginning with ARPAnet, then bulletin boards and Usenet, on to the World Wide Web and the current cast of MySpace wannabes, social networks are at their core just about people communicating with other people.

As an extension of this concept it is important to realize that most every social network today — MySpace, Facebook, Friendster, etc. – has groups that cater to specific interests. In to fixed gear bikes? There’s a group for that. Did you attend the University of Montana? There’s a group for that. Think that Chris Gaines is NOT Garth Brooks? Well, there’s no group for that, but you could start one! Point being, social networks are built for people to use them, and in addition to features such as blogs, forums, personal profile pages, event invitations, and comments, there are myriad ways to wring the maximum benefit from social networks.

So, which social network do you choose? Most Internet-users tend to follow a pattern when it comes to social networks: They dabble in a few off the bat and then settle for a smaller number of networks that they can maintain a more regular presence on. You can save yourself a little trouble and time by starting with the social networks your friends currently inhabit. It shouldn’t take much work, depending on the site, to link up with existing profiles and start networking like a pro. Over time you may discover that you’re just not that into one network or the other. That’s OK. There are many more out there to choose from, and although the site will miss you it likely has many, many more users so you won’t be missed for long.

That being said, there are some things to keep in mind as you flirt with social networking.

1. Never pay to join a social network. There are so many social networks on the Internet, why someone would pay to be a part of the action is beyond this author. Maybe it has something to do with “premiumization?”

2. Protect your assets online. Be careful when using personal information online. Net newbies are prime targets for scammers, from phishers to exiled Nigerian queens.

3. You don’t have to be friends with everybody. Oftentimes a new user to a social network will be inundated with friend requests. If you haven’t met these people in real life assume that they are roping you into a “spam-paign” to push Viagra through comments on your page.