Penn State students will be some of the first to use the Web site that hopes to outdo Facebook and MySpace.

Qlique, www.qlique.com, which calls itself "THE Location Aware Social Network," is launching the beta version of its Web site today that specifically targets Penn State and its greek community.

The beta version is comparable to a rough draft -- the national launch will be in August, just before fall semester.

Penn State greeks are Qlique's target audience for the time being.

Field said Qlique chose Penn State because of the large greek groups who already have established social networks. The goal is to bring these social networks online.

Though Qlique launched with sororities and fraternities, the greek community is just a starting point, Entermedia Corporation Chief Executive Officer Andy Field said.

Greek organizations with more than 35 signed-up members will have the chance to win $500. Fraternities and sororities must sign up 90 percent of their members, and these students are required to log on and interact with one another.

There is no cap to the number of greek organizations that can win.

The monetary reward is enticing, said Abe Gitterman, president of Delta Sigma Phi fraternity, 328 E. Fairmount Ave.

"We could use the money a lot. It would definitely help us out for Greek Week; it will offset the cost," he said.

A new way of social networking is also appealing, Panhellenic Council Vice President of Communications Megan Moran said.

"I think it seems cool; it has a feature where you can see where the people are," she said.

"It's different than Facebook, so it's not like you have to pick and choose."

Field and Qlique's User Experience Manager Ed Harkins met with sorority members at a Panhellenic President's Council Meeting last night.

Field said MySpace and Facebook are becoming outdated.

"MySpace and Facebook are great, but I think kids realize the technology is very limited. Kids want to be on the cutting edge of technology," he said. "The student interest in social computing is huge, and I think that people are looking for the next thing."

So far in this beta version, Qlique has more than 500 members plus several thousand members from another test launch last September.

To prepare for its national launch, Qlique expects a major expansion with at least weekly updates.

To join the network, go to www.qlique.com and click "Launch Qlique."

Harkins said opening an account takes three to five minutes.

"We think people will become addicted," Field said.