As John Cusack noted about relationships in “High Fidelity”: “It’s what you like, not what you ARE like, that really matters.”

A hodgepodge of startup companies are taking this to heart and flooding the Web with niche networking sites. These sites follow the same idea of uber-popular social networking sites such as Facebook and MySpace. But while those sites are infinitely broad, the niche networks hone in on special areas of interest, such as politics, parenting, music and movies (including filmcrave.com).

On these sites, it’s what you like (or dislike) that matters.

Whether you want to trade your shame-inducing collection of Creed CDs, share pictures of your kids with other mothers, or discover that kindred spirit who shares your love of Macaulay Culkin, there’s a site out there for you.

Here are burgeoning but quality sites that slipped onto my radar. Along with filmcrave.com., all have been nominated for the Open Web Awards’ best social niche networking site of 2007.

1. Ourlikes.com This site asked how I felt about “Melrose Place,” U2, John McCain, Guinness beer, NASCAR and cuddling. I had the options of Love, Like, Not a Fan, Can’t Stand or No Opinion. After you get enough of your opinions in, you can hook up with people who share your likes and dislikes.

2. Collegetonight.comIn a New York Times article called “The Facebook Generation,” writer Alice Mathias said a certain something has been lost since Facebook opened its doors to everyone last year. What started as a site exclusive to students became an increasingly “mature” social gathering, and this has peeved some students. Now, other sites are trying to scale the model back down to student only; only those with “.edu” e-mail addresses can become members.

This is one such site that looks like it could actually survive. It pares down the networking universe to college and recent alumni and also encourages users to get off the computer and get a life. Whereas Facebook offers a distraction from the real world, College Tonight informs students of real-life social opportunities. Indeed, the site motto is “Get On. Get Up. Get Out.” 

The site is focused on getting people at the same school to hang outside the confines of cyberspace. You find another person who likes bowling and drinking? Ask him to go bowling and drinking with you. Other features include a nightlife calendar, social polling, a “crush calculator,” a lost-and-found board for your university and a potentially social-life-saving “drunk dial” feature, where you can take back your embarrassing late-night confessions in the morning. Genius.

3. Switchplanet.comThis one’s all about trading with people. You got stuff you want to get rid of? Post it online. If someone wants it, he’ll trade you something else for it. The transactions are free except for shipping.

“Nothing brings people together more than music, movies, games and books,” the site’s “about” section says. “So why not build a social network around them?”

This site, launched in 2006, gives users the option to make friends and join groups with similar interests. If you have something you especially want, you can “wish” for it until it becomes available for trade. Switch Planet is another possibility for hard-to-find Christmas gifts, but it’s just as hard to find a Wii here as it is everywhere else.

4. Cafemom.comThis SNS is for moms only. However, the signup process didn’t restrict me from becoming a member, which made me feel kind of creepy. Anyway, the site is aimed at the mutual interests of mothers everywhere. Moms can join groups that give support for new mothers, confused mothers or old mothers experiencing empty-nest syndrome.

You can also search for fellow mommies in your area and meet with them. I ran a search for groups of mothers within 50 miles of Lincoln and found 24 groups, including “Lincoln Mommies” and “Lincoln Mommy Playdate Group.” It’s enough to make a 22-year-old male wish he were with child.

Reach Micah Mertes at 473-7395 or mmertes@journalstar.com.