Don't know whether people have heard about this or not: On 27 April 2009, Microsoft launched a limited beta test version of Vine, a downloadable Windows-based product that allows people in a community to update one another during major events or emergencies. Vine provides a set of microblog-like templates for entering reports or alerts.
http://www.gartner.com/DisplayDocument?doc_cd=167852&ref=g_rss D.
