OpenSocial is a project that intends to unite social networks including Bebo, MySpace and Google's Orkut into a common developer platform.
Should the project succeed, software developers will be able to develop applications that will work on all of the sites signed up to OpenSocial, rather than having to build separate ones for each site.
The OpenSocial move follows the creation of a mini-industry of developers around Facebook that has actively encouraged people to develop applications for use within the Mark Zuckerburg- controlled outfit.
Joanna Shields, international president of Bebo, said that it was crucial for sites to make life easier for developers.
Shields said: "Bebo supports open standards to make it as seamless as possible for developers to reach our 39 million-strong community and provide engaging features for our users."
Bebo said that OpenSocial is one of a series of developments it is making as part of a move to increase the engagement of its community.
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