Schmoozing builds the networks that keep Silicon Valley humming

Consider the scene the other night at Trader Vic's in Palo Alto. More than 200 people -- mostly startup entrepreneurs and their guests, plus a contingent of venture capitalists -- assembled for an event dubbed "Founder Hacks," staged by STIRR. The group is part of the vanguard of the valley's tech-biz social scene, now boasting bloggers and camera crews posting video on the Web.