Initial Impressions: Microsoft's So.cl

Today Microsoft quietly unveiled their take on social news and networking with So.cl At first I was more intrigued than anything. First thing I noticed is that you are given the choice to use you Facebook account or Windows Live for login and profile purposes. Neither Twitter, nor Google OAuth were present. The next thing I noticed is that they're picture and graphics heavy -- which looks good, I have to admit. The main feed layout looks a like a good mix between rivals Pinterest and Google+

As you can see the top bar includes a link to socl's top level (or "home"), a search/status hybrid box and to the right the profile picture as well as notifications. To the right, there is a vertical bar which at the moment is called "Video Parties" which is surprisingly well done and easy to join or start your own. So now you can have a YouTube party on the spot with potentially millions of people (assuming you wish to make it public, of course). At the moment, this right-hand vertical bar cannot be collapsed or stashed away, but I imagine they they'll add that option sometime in the future. Now, I think this is where Microsoft got it right: that status/search hybrid box I mentioned above is actually quite nifty. If you enter a search query (again, assuming you make it public), it will be posted for everyone to see and comment on, which can be a great social and research tool. For instance, you can find someone who's familiar in the subject or someone who can comment for a better search, find people with common searches and so forth. This is a very powerful feature that, if Microsoft plays it right, could be a boom for them. 

Perhaps due to being launch day, but there are a good number of So.cl-ers online helping and engaging users, asking for feedback, making suggestions and so forth. I see this as a very positive move, which, I have to admit I did not see in Google+ even though I joined a few weeks after release. Another aspect that I see being better than both Facebook and Google+ is that by the way it works, you don't really need to follow or be followed. The information flow is such that you can just jump in and out of any conversation and then on to another with ease. So, even for the shy and introverted, So.cl offers good options.

Currently missing is the ability to create and manage groups/circles, but as per conversation with a So.cl-er it's a feature in their backlog. 

Overall, I have to say that, for one, Microsoft got it right with So.cl. I'd tell FB and G+ about So.cl: ignore or dismiss at your own peril. 

P.S.: I might write a more detailed review/overview after I use it for a while, so keep an eye out if it's something that you're interested in.

Windows 8 Consumer Preview Review

TL;DR version: lots of potential, I like what I'm seeing thus far.

Slightly more elaborate version: Microsoft's next gen of the Windows family is (and has been) out for public  preview (which can be freely downloaded here). Installing it on a blank drive was a breeze and without issues. With the exception of my laptop vendor's driver for dynamic graphic-card switching, all other hardware was detected and properly configured. From the get go, you can tell that they are making an effort to modernize their well-known and familiar UI; however, this can end up being a double-edge sword  for them.

Metro UI: At first, while I found the Metro UI visually pleasing, I wasn't sure how to navigate my way to the familiar and ubiquitous Windows desktop paradigm we all are so accustomed to.  Also very obvious is Microsoft's concerted effort to foster and push its own computing ecosystem (SkyDrive, Bing Maps, Search, Internet Explorer, and so forth) which is something they have not very good at in the past few versions of Windows. Don't get me wrong, they are not trying to put a wall around you or insistently annoying you. No, they simply visually encourage you (i.e. prevalent screen real estate)  to use those services and apps for a better experience. So, after some trial and error, I figured out how to get to the familiar desktop. Once there, the first thing I realized is that there isn't "Start" button in the task bar. So what happens when you click the "Windows" button on your keyboard (or CTLR + ESC)? You are taken back to the Metro Dashboard. And then it clicked (in my head). The Metro Dashboard is the "start" menu but taken literally -- which is a really neat thing -- but it will take some getting used to for some users. After installing some necessary software (i.e. Chrome and VirtualBox), I set out to "explore". So, I learned when you put the mouse pointer near the lower (or upper) right corner a menu shows up gives the options of settings, search, devices, share, etc. You can go to the Start area and once there, you can press ESC to return the the app you were working with. Also in that Start dashboard, if you click on your username, you'll see a menu with options to log off/switch users and so forth. While in the Start dashboard, if you right click, you'll get a choice to see all installed apps which can be helpful if you are looking for an app but don't remember its name. Also really neat, while in that same area, as soon as you start typing anything, windows will search for an app with those letters you have just typed.

Apps Compatibility: all apps I've installed have worked without any problem. VirtualBox installed and runs an Ubuntu image flawlessly. Chrome runs without a hitch. Adobe Lightroom 4 and Photoshop CS5, again, both seamless and flawless. The two exceptions have been Cisco AnyConnect VPN client (which works fine under Win7) and the ATI graphics card auto-switching driver. Neither of the latter work at all. They both installed without warnings or errors, but when it's time to run, they error out. I also installed some dev tools (MS VisualStudio 11 for the Web, Notepad++, Dart editor/VM/Dartium, etc.) and all work well and otherwise as expected. Steam client and other games work well (well, the programs run well, the graphics are horrible due to driver issues, as explained above).

Not tested: IE10. While I've heard really good things about IE10, truth is Chrome is working very well for me, so there really isn't a good reason for me to try IE10 to any meaningful extent.

Overall, I think Windows 8 has serious potential. I've become familiar with the Metro Dashboard in a short time and I actually enjoy it. Microsoft also seems to have taken notice that users want to customize their computer experience (specially when it comes to themes and wallpapers), so, they now let people customize the start screen and the lock screen (both customization options missing in Vista and Win7) as well as the desktop and the background of the Metro Dashboard. My only concern would be that for older people who aren't tech savvy who have finally -- after so many years -- gotten used to the Windows workflow that this new workflow/UI paradigm will get them confused and flustered which in turn can turn them away. At any rate, I think the OS is behaving really well considering it still in beta and definitely showing lots of promise. So, I would say that, if you have the time and a blank drive to experiment with, you should give Windows8 preview a try.