Microsoft has launched a new social networking site for IT professionals called Aggreg8.Think of MySpace but only focusing on all things IT related. On their homepage is the mission statement.
It reads "Aggreg8 is a social networking and collaboration space for the IT community. Inside you can keep track of your trusted network, find others through your network with similar interests or situations. Then you can collaborate with anyone in the community inside our working groups. We even allow you to create your own working groups, choosing if you want to collaborate with the whole community or collaborate in private working groups."
There are other sites out there that all ready have a similar concept. One is experts-exchange and another is driverheaven.net. What will set Aggreg8 apart from the others?
The answer is probably nothing.
In a blog post by Kevin Remde an IT Pro for Microsoft introducing the new site the majority of the feedback was negative. One blogger named Garth wrote," It will not let me sign in!
What is the point of having a site where you can't see anything before you sign in? Why so secretive?
This goes against the idea of what a community is all about. A community has public areas and announcements so far all I have been able to see if that this is a private group more like a secret society instead of a community." Party on Garth!
Another drawback to the site is users need a Microsoft Passport account to sign in. With two similar sites that are more established Aggreg8 would have to improve their site features and user friendliness to attract visitors.
If Microsoft wants Aggreg8 to be taken seriously by other IT professionals it seems they have some issues to overcome. If they don't the Garth's of the world will let them know.
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