Identi.ca is a new microblogging service that launched today - but it's not just another also-ran. The service is an Open Source, CreativeCommons framework for a distributed network of federated microblogging services.

If you've become interested in the paradigm changing model of communication popularized by Twitter but have been frustrated by Twitter's frequent down time or other shortcomings - then Identi.ca could be for you.

Built by Evan Prodromou, creator of the wonderful site WikiTravel, Identi.ca offers a number of features that Twitter users will find of interest. We learned about the launch on the CreativeCommons blog; Identi.ca supports CC licenses for all the content that flows through it.

Note that initial interest is already challenging the first implementation of this service, they are working on improving performance but it will work best once there are multiple interoperable installs!

Many people love Twitter's messaging through GTalk, but the feature isn't always available. It's available immediately on Identi.ca.

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