Microsoft Releases QnA Search In Beta

Microsoft on Tuesday launched in beta Windows Live QnA, a search engine that lets users ask and answer questions, and then vote on the best response.

Other features in the new service include a tagging system that enables users to attach their own keywords and phrases to their questions to make them easier to find by others. Questions with adult content can also be tagged to keep them away from people who don't want it.

The service has been integrated with Spaces, Microsoft's blogging service, so bloggers can list questions they have asked and answered. In addition, the service offers notification via email when someone has answered a person's question, or when others have voted on a best answer.

Search engines that let users provide answer to questions are not new. Web portal Yahoo offers a similar service.