Microsoft Launches So.cl Social Network, a Research Tool for Students

In a low profile event, software giant Microsoft launched its own social networking foray named So.cl. To be more precise, the networking site will act as a research tool for the students. It would work by allowing them to exchange information on various topics of interests.

So.cl is specifically designed for students who can easily use it as a platform to network with their peers and share information. So the possibilities of So.cl to be a Facebook challenger have already been ruled with its details getting leaked last year.

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As per a Microsoft representative, "FUSE Labs' So.cl project has started accepting the users interested in joining it now. An experimental research project, So.cl has its prime objective to focus on the future of social experiences and education specifically amongst the youth.

Pronounced as ‘social’, So.cl is described as the latest experiment from FUSE Labs which is a combination of search and social networking together to facilitate learning. Users can log into So.cl through their Windows Live or Facebook accounts and can go through the variety of topics of interests suggested thereafter in the application.

Talking about its features, very much like ‘share’ or ‘recommend’ buttons in Facebook, So.cl too has ‘bookmarklet’ feature. Using this feature, one can share interesting web sites with other So.cl users. This is possible through a "Share on So.cl" button added to the users' bookmarks toolbars. Apart from commenting, sharing and tagging other’s posts, the users would be able to ‘riff on the posts, which is "a new way to interact and improvise with content" as stated by the Microsoft. Using So.cl, one would also be able to create "video parties". The feature would enable them in searching and assembling the videos that can be further shared with the others.

Also, the network, according to the Microsoft, is "an experiment in open search”, implying that the searches would be viewable by other users as well as the third parties. The user’s activities, on So.cl, would only be posted with their consent; similarly, it would be mandatory to send an invitation to the Facebook friends in order to contact them.

Described as an experimental research project," in a blog post from Microsoft, the application began its services with design and information schools from Syracuse University, University of Washington and New York University.