While you were sleeping, Windows Live Academic Search was launched at http://academic.live.com. From the Web site we learn
Welcome to Windows Live Academic
Windows
Live Academic is now in beta. We currently index content related to
computer science, physics, electrical engineering, and related subject
areas.
Academic search enables you to
search for peer reviewed journal articles contained in journal
publisher portals and on the web in locations like citeseer.
Academic
search works with libraries and institutions to search and provide
access to subscription content for their members. Access restricted
resources include subscription services or premium peer-reviewed
journals. You may be able to access restricted content through your
library or institution.
We have built several features
designed to help you rapidly find the content you are searching for
including abstract previews via our preview pane, sort and group by
capability, and citation export. We invite you to try us out - and
share your feedback with us.
I tried a comparison of a search for my name on Windows Live Academic Search and Google Scholar.
Search for "Dare Obasanjo" on Windows Live Academic Search
-
Search for "Dare Obasanjo" on Google Scholar
Google Scholar finds almost 20 citations while Windows Live Academic Search only finds one. Google Scholar seems to use sources other than academic papers such as articles written on technology sites like XML.com. I like the user interface for Windows Live Academic Search but we need to expand the data sources we query for me to use it regularly.