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Keeping up with your friends, social networks have been hard work (enough so that many of us spend hours on it every week). Is it not you want to make a few bucks for your problems?

Meet UrTurn, a new startup that hopes to be able to create a virtual single currency in all major social networks. The site is a root launched a public beta, and it is at this time is made available to Facebook app (MySpace expected shortly). The first 250 TechCrunch readers who sign the code, using ERAS4 here will receive 500 bonus points.

In some respects, UrTurn acts, such as a virtual pyramid scheme - users can get points by inviting their friends (and even more points, if these friends will increase the application). But users can also get points by running the day-to-day activities. They earn less points, but they add up - in the case were to add two friends, the five pictures, and two in the role of Facebook messages on a daily basis a year, you'll have enough points for the iPod Touch.

Users are points UrTurn's virtual warehouse, where they will they be able to buy GIFT CARDS or digital gadgets (we can expect the stock to grow as the site expands). Alternatively, users will be able to make points, that is the market and sell them for money. You are not going to get rich this way, but getting paid to surf the Facebook is certainly an attractive idea. The strategy aims to reduce the gaming of the system, the site requires users to tie their accounts to an active PayPal account

At the moment, UrTurn will examine a number of ways to earn money for their application. In addition, standard advertising, UrTurn is considering placing a tax on each transaction in the market. The site also plans to release the API, which can help them integrate and is a REV-share with other applications so that they can share their points based on the use of third-party applications (site to launch a pilot program five appssavvy apps, next month).

Virtual currency has been a long history of failure - the late 90-Beenz.com unsuccessfully tried to create a global currency that could rival the dollar and the pound (that the company closed its doors in 2001). UrTurn is, therefore, to combat many users are trying to abuse the system, and they may have a hard time monetizing their app, when so little work is required the user's part. That said, the social networks are in need of an effective Micropayment system, and a virtual currency may be the answer. Acebucks, which covered the period from last autumn, is another company that will seek to consolidate its position as the single currency of social networks.