A space, not a place

What is most intriguing about Microsoft's launch of its MSN Spaces blogging service is the name. In the early days of the Internet we were urged to create a sense of place at sites. But in reality our pages were merely filling space. MSN's research must have revealed that the concept of carving out virtual spaces in which to plop personal content is something its target audience will like. We're wondering if the popularity of the TV show Trading Spaces might also have come into play in the audiences' mind during MSN's research.