News
        
        Microsoft Launches Academic Search Tool 
        
        
        
        Microsoft this week took another shot at nemesis Google as it released the 
  first beta test copy of its own academic search system.
The beta of Windows Live Academic Search service debuted in seven countries, 
  according to a Microsoft statement.
Windows Live Academic Search is designed to help students, researchers and 
  university faculty conduct research "across a spectrum of academic journals," 
  according to Microsoft's announcement. The program is a cooperative effort between 
  Microsoft, industry association CrossRef and more than 10 leading publishers.
In the area of scholarly research systems, Microsoft is a late comer. Google's 
  academic search tool, Google Scholar, launched in November 2004.
The first beta's focus is on computer science, electrical engineering 
  and physics publications, and offers peer-reviewed content from societies such 
  as the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and the Association 
  for Computing Machinery (ACM). It also provides content from publishers Elsevier 
  and John Wiley & Sons. 
One element meant to make Microsoft's offering stand out is Live Academic 
  Search's user interface, which features a preview pane that lets readers 
  view abstracts of results by hovering the mouse over them. Results can also 
  be grouped and sorted by author, journal, conference and date.
The beta of Windows Live Academic Search is available at http://academic.live.com. 
  There are English language versions in the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, 
  Italy, Spain, Japan and Australia. Additional markets and content will be added 
  throughout the beta period, Microsoft said.
 
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
            
        
        
                
                    About the Author
                    
                
                    
                    Stuart J. Johnston has covered technology, especially Microsoft, since February 1988 for InfoWorld, Computerworld, Information Week, and PC World, as well as for Enterprise Developer, XML & Web Services, and .NET magazines.