Here Comes So.cl

Microsoft has launched a new product -a combination of search and social networking that has a lot of potential, At present it is aimed at students who must carry out learning projects and wish to do so along with their friends, which is the most common way for them to work. But So.cl has a lot of potential beyond that. Remember, Facebook was initially directed to students too.

In the words of the So.cl website,

"So.cl (pronounced "social") is an experimental research project, developed by Microsoft’s FUSE Labs, focused on exploring the possibilities of social search for the purpose of learning.

• So.cl combines social networking and search, to help people find and share interesting web pages in the way students do when they work together.
• So.cl helps you create rich posts, by assembling montages of visual web content.
• To encourage interaction and collaboration, So.cl provides rich media sharing, and real time sharing of videos via "video parties."

We expect students to continue using products such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and other existing social networks, as well as Bing, Google and other search tools. We hope to encourage students to re-imagine how our everyday communication and learning tools can be improved, by researching, learning and sharing in their everyday lives."

Many people will benefit from collaborative research, including those in business and those who simply wish to keep in touch with friends having similar interests. It might even add some substance to the exchanges typically found on social networking sites. For an article on the topic, check this link. And for Microsoft's site, check this link.