Soapbox on MSN Video will let Internet users watch and post videos, rate or comment on them and share favorites by e-mailing them or linking them to their personal Web pages or blogs.

A beta test version will initially be available on an invitation-only basis to some Microsoft employees and regular MSN testers, Rob Bennett, general manager of MSN's entertainment and video services unit. He said Soapbox will be expanded to a wider audience "very

quickly," but he could not say how soon.

Soapbox videos will be displayed in slightly larger windows than competing services such as YouTube. It will group videos in various categories, including most recent, most viewed, most commented on and top favorites. It will let users "tag" clips with keywords designed to make them easier for people to find. The Washington Post