Microsoft sneaks into social media business

"So.cl" (pronounced "social"), Microsoft's take on social networking, went online this weekend in an experimental beta release with little pomp or circumstance. Microsoft's entry into the social networking sphere is focused somewhat differently then already established sites like Facebook and LinkedIn, and the site is not designed to be a direct competitor -- in fact, you can use your Facebook account to log in. So.cl reportedly focuses on academic and learning-based social interaction online: "we hope to encourage students to reimagine how our everyday communication and learning tools can be improved, by researching, learning and sharing in their everyday lives." Though it has yet to be seen if Microsoft can get a piece of the social-media action, the site seems at least conceptually interesting, and could provide an interesting and potentially useful collaborative research tool.