Just when you thought Facebook or Twitter had monopolized the entire social media space, Pinterest happened.

Pinterest is the new virtual way to express yourself.

It allows users to catalogue and “pin” their favorite images from the Internet onto a pinboard.

Basically, it’s the ultimate way for you to scrapbook online with or without a focused theme.

For example, if you’re interested in decorating a room, Pinterest is a place for you to collect images of different fabrics or accessories for the room.

However, it’s not limited to those strictly interested in design. Founder Ben Silbermann collects images of things found in everyday life.

The idea is to allow users to share and organize their coveted findings on the Web.

The layout is similar to that of other social media sites in that users create a profile, which requires an email address, that links directly to either a Twitter or a Facebook account to allow for optimum sharing and linking methods.

According to Pinterest’s “About Us” section, the idea is “to browse pinboards by other people who share your interests.”

However, Pinterest is only in its beta stage, meaning trial stage, so it is an invite only site.

The good news is the invite process has a relatively quick response time of about one to two days.

Considering Pinterest officially launched in October and already has over 1.5 million active users on Facebook alone, this turnover rate is impressive to say the least.

“I spend more time on Pinterest than I do on Twitter or Facebook anymore,” junior Catherine Winston said. “I wouldn’t suggest opening an account when you have anything to study for.”

The new addicting site is making its debut to rival the major social media network sites in terms of an extensive active user base.

If self-expression is making a run at these established sites with pins, who’s to say there is not more opportunity to be had within the social media space?