So.cl arrives, is pointless as expected
The curtains have been pulled back on So.cl, and what has been revealed is another pointless social network. Much as expected. Why, Microsoft, why?
In July the first rumblings of a Microsoft-powered social network emerged, with Tulalip being inadvertently leaked onto the Web. At the time I described it as “a terrible idea” which “should just be part of an existing social network rather than the basis for one on its own.”
Fast-forward to November and Microsoft was ready to show off the newly renamed So.cl. This early version looked, for all intents and purposes, like a Facebook clone. Microsoft denied this was the case and promised more details soon. I remained unconvinced, suggesting that “the last thing we need is Microsoft adding to the clutter” provided by the likes of Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Diaspora, and blah, blah, blah.
Now, Microsoft has revealed all. And I’m still not impressed. ZDNet and Digital Trends both have impressive write-ups about So.cl. The condensed highlights tell us So.cl is a social search/research project designed to be a learning tool for students. The big idea is that So.cl allows sharing amongst communities of students grouped by interests.
A couple of hundred students from the University of Washington, Syracuse University, and New York University are currently trialling So.cl, with a wider rollout expected soon. Interestingly, So.cl is essentially nothing but a Facebook app, built on top of Facebook’s basic structure.
Microsoft is going out of its way to state that So.cl isn’t the next Facebook or something built to compete with Twitter or Google+. But that’s what it looks and feels like to me. Especially considering Facebook began in a very similar way before expanding beyond the reach of just students and universities.
Perhaps in five years time I’ll be shown up as a gibbering wreck who didn’t see the beauty in a product which has since changed the world. But I very much doubt that will be the case. Next.
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December 16th, 2011
Ah so it is just as bad as I expected. I don’t think I need any more ways to put myself on the Internet. Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ are more than enough. Heck, I rarely even use the latter so I’ll probably be skipping signing up for this nonsense. Like you said, unless in the future it is revolutionizing, then perhaps I will give it a look, but I’ll be good with my current profiles.