In the blue corner, trained by the mysterious Tom, is MySpace, showboating its videos and music sponsors.

And in the red corner, is Facebook, complete with notes, photo albums and the News Feed.

Let the battle of the social networks ensue.

Facebook starts off strong with a poke on a confused MySpace.

MySpace is left with only comments for its opponent.

Finally, Facebook retaliates with its special wall-to-wall technique.

Maybe it’s not that kind of battle, but students are forced to decide which social network they want to use — Facebook and MySpace.

For Michael Ransone, a freshman in First Year College, there is no question which is the better Web site.

“I am a Facebook only guy — nothing else,” Ransone said.

Even though he said it took him halfway through his first semester to get an account, Ransone said he loves the features of Facebook such as the photo albums. He said he doesnÕt have any albums of his own, but he thinks viewing others’ pictures is a great way to find out about people.

“It is good for potential dating,” Ransone said.

Both Facebook and MySpace are being used more and more for dating, according to Patrick Finn, a sophomore in biological sciences. He said one of his friends met a girl using MySpace.

“It worked out — for a minute,” Finn said, laughing.

According to Ransone, even after the first date is initiated, sites like Facebook and MySpace can come in handy.

“It really takes away from the awkwardness of asking people things,” Ransone said, referring to things like music and television interests, as well as the groups.

However, both MySpace and Facebook can be very creepy, according to Becca Pence, a freshman in psychology. She said she has a Facebook account, but not a MySpace account because MySpace accounts are open to the public.

“ItÕs creepy to see a 47 year old guy who may be looking at you,” Pence said.

With MySpace being open to anyone, Internet pornographers can message you, according to Finn. He said he has been asked to be added as a friend by many girls even though his profile clearly states he is in a relationship.

“They can be extremely blunt,” Finn said, “They donÕt even try to be subtle. ItÕs more like ÔLetÕs hook up.Õ”

Besides dating ideas, Finn said MySpace has other useful features Facebook does not, including music. He said users can find their favorite bands and add songs to play when other people pull up their MySpace page. Finn said although the songs are free to put up, the bands can ultimately decide which songs can be chosen. He said some more well-known bands will put up the classics while independent artists try to promote new music.

Another important feature for musicians is to add friends in hopes of getting publicity, according to Finn.

Finn said MySpace can be more personalized than Facebook. On Facebook, everyone has the same design, but with MySpace, the background and font can be changed as well as adding slideshows.

“You can do more stuff on MySpace,” Finn said.

However, other students prefer the simplicity of Facebook, according to Pence. She said she would never take the time to personalize a MySpace account the way she has seen some of friends do.

“And the songs are just annoying,” Pence said.

Although it hasnÕt yet included music as a feature, Facebook does offer its users other resources, according to Pence. She said she will often look up a friendÕs instant messenger screen name if she doesnÕt already have it.

Pence also said she likes the birthday reminders. She said it is nice to get birthday messages posted on her wall, which is like a message board where friends can post comments.

“I do the poke,” Ransone said.

The poke, he said, is something that can also be sent to friends. According to Ransone, the poke is not used for flirting at all. He said it means nothing and is just meant to annoy others with a message of “You have been poked.”

Aside from the unique features of each, both MySpace and Facebook are social networks that allow students to reconnect with people they havenÕt seen in years, according to Pence. She said it will never replace the time actually spent with friends in person.

“The people that you are going to talk to face to face, you are still going to,” Pence said.

One of the main concerns with these Web sites is peopleÕs addiction to them, according to Ransone. He said Facebook is a big distraction because it takes away from work time.

“It is definitely not good for my academics,” Ransone said.

But for some, like Finn, it is all about moderation. He said he checks his MySpace account every once in a while, but he isnÕt addicted.

“It doesn’t cut into my ÔrealÕ social time,” Finn said.

But, in this time of exams, papers and projects, a distraction from the monotony of schoolwork and reading can be a much needed relief. According to Ransone, these social networks are just what students need.

“Time flies when you are on Facebook,” Ransone said.