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.

1. Search for "Dare Obasanjo" on Windows Live Academic Search

2. 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.