Microsoft goes social

[Soylent Brice]

The software giant thinks it can make money in social networking the old-fashioned way - charging subscription fees.

By Jessi Hempel, writer
April 29, 2009: 4:32 AM ET

NEW YORK (Fortune) -- Facebook might have a larger audience than the population of Brazil (200 million users vs. 191 million citizens), but the site doesn't yet have a viable business model. Twitter is wildly popular but it loses money. Could the codgers at software giant Microsoft (a Facebook investor) be the guys who end up figuring out how to make money on social networks?

The company on Wednesday will begin testing a new social-networking platform called Microsoft Vine, and chief strategist Craig Mundie tells Fortune the company is planning on pursuing a subscription-based model instead of trying to support the platform only with advertising. Vine's other twist: It plans to target public safety officials and concerned citizens seeking emergency information.

"All governments have this issue. Many of them struggle with safety as a problem," Mundie says. And he says he is optimistic that Microsoft (MSFT, Fortune 500) can crack the code for making money off social networks. (More on that in a moment.)

Think of the platform as the updated version of a 9-1-1 call or the local public radio station. Consumer users of the service can create profiles and make groups "my family" or "my softball team," to whom they can send messages. Activity will be limited to two actions: alerts and reports.

more: http://money.cnn.com/2009/04/28/technology/hempel_microsoft.fortune/index.htm?postversion=2009042904

[DainBramaged]

1. Microsoft, always finding ways to stick their hand in your pocket

fuck them and their 'dead on the Vine'.

[OhioChick]

5. Isn't that the truth! n/t

[RedCappedBandit]

2. no way in hell id pay for a facebook type site

[Soylent Brice]

4. i think it's safe to assume that no one else would either.

[dkofos]

3. Another fail for micro$oft.

But I say go for it. You got money to burn.