Windows Live logo

Screenshot of Live.com homepage

The Windows Live "Orb"

Windows Live is the collective brand name for a set of services and software products from Microsoft. A majority of these services are Web applications, accessible from a browser, but there are applications that need installing as well. There are three basic groups of these services: connect, share and protect.^[1]

Windows Live was announced on November 1, 2005. Several Windows Live properties were rebranded and enhanced from Microsoft's MSN set of products and services. However, MSN still exists alongside Windows Live as a means of delivering programmed content (as opposed to customized content and communications).^[2] Although the new branding might suggest closer technical ties to the Microsoft Windows operating system and services, the two are available separately. Microsoft said that Windows Live "is a way to extend the Windows user experience".^[3] However, some Web browser based Windows Live applications are available outside of Windows, and Windows doesn't include Windows Live applications either. Windows Vista does, however, provide a link in its user interface to download Windows Live Messenger.

Some released Windows Live services and programs include the Live Search search engine, the Windows Live Messenger instant messaging client, the Windows Live Hotmail webmail service, the Windows Live OneCare computer security service, and Windows Live Spaces.

Besides Windows Live, which is mainly aimed at individuals^[2], there are some other Web properties from Microsoft that are branded as "Live": Microsoft Office Live for small businesses, the Xbox Live multiplayer gaming and content delivery system for Xbox and Xbox 360, and the Games for Windows - LIVE multiplayer gaming service for Microsoft Windows.

Windows Live services

Live Search

Live Search searching for "Wikipedia"

Main article: Live Search

As of 2007-03-21, Microsoft has decided to separate its Live Search developments from its Windows Live services family, forming part of the Live Search and Ad Platform. Live Search (formerly Windows Live Search and MSN Search) will consolidate with Microsoft adCenter in a new group headed by Satya Nadella, part of Microsoft's Platform and Systems division.^[5]

In addition to searching webpages, other Live Search services include:

• Live Search Cashback
• Live Search Club
• Live Search Farecast
• Live Search Feeds
• Live Search Health
• Live Search Images
• Live Search Local
• Live Search Macros
• Live Search Maps
• Live Search News
• Live Search Products
• Live Search QnA
• Live Search Video
• Live Search xRank

Services that have been discontinued include:

• Live Search Academic
• Live Search Books, including Live Search Books Publisher Program

Additionally, Live Search Webmaster Center and Live Product Upload provide content submission services to webmasters and merchants to add their contents to Live Search.

Live Mesh

Live Desktop under Live Mesh

Main article: Live Mesh

Live Mesh is a software as a service platform released on April 23, 2008 that enables PCs and other devices to connect with each other through the internet. It allows applications, people, and devices to be synchronized across multiple devices using FeedSync and cloud computing technologies. Live Mesh currently consists of:

• Mesh Operating Environment - software component that manages the synchronization relationships between devices and data
• Live Desktop - online cloud storage service that allows synchronized folders to be accessible via a website
• Live Mesh Remote Desktop - software that allow users to remotely connect and manage to any of the devices in a synchronization relationship
• MeshFX - a REST-based application programming interface for accessing the Live Mesh services over HTTP

Windows Live Mobile Services

Developer APIs

Main article: Windows Live Dev

Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), documentation and sample codes for several Windows Live services are provided on Windows Live Dev, a development center and supplier of software development kits (SDKs) for the Windows Live Platform. It also provides information on getting started with developing for Windows Live services, access to community areas and relevant blogs, and announcements of future releases and innovations.

Microsoft Live Labs

Microsoft Live Labs is a partnership between MSN and Microsoft Research that focuses on applied research for Internet products and services at Microsoft.

Live Labs are headed by Dr. Gary William Flake, who prior to joining Microsoft was a principal scientist at Yahoo! Research Lab and former head of research at the Web portal's Overture Services division.

Live Labs' focus is on applied research and practical applications of computer science areas including natural language processing, machine learning, information retrieval, data mining, computational linguistics, distributed computing, etc.^[6]

Themes

Blue Vapor

Most original Windows Live applications and services used a visual theme known as Blue Vapor or Flair. While the new "Wave 2.0" header has replaced Blue Vapor on most Windows Live sites, Blue Vapor remains in use on sites such as Windows Live Favorites. An example is shown below:

Windows Live 2.0

With the public beta release of Windows Live Messenger 8.5, Mail, Writer and Photo Gallery, known as the Windows Live Wave 2.0 Suite^[7] ("Wave" refers to the group or wave of products to be released), a new visual theme was released to enable the Aero transparency effect in Windows Vista. Also, the Flair standard header for Windows Live has been changed to a new and much different one.^[8] An example is shown below:

Windows Live 3.0

Microsoft has already begun testing a new theme for their Windows Live Wave 3.0 services. This new visual theme allows users to customize their own background pictures. Currently it is under internal testing and not applied to any Windows Live services yet.^[9] An example is shown below:

Live Search

As part of Microsoft's plan to distinguish its Live Search brand from their Windows Live services, all of Live Search's services have upgraded their themes to a much different one since the codename Rome upgrade. According to the Live Search design team, the new theme reflects extensive user-centered researches which provides a "simple and powerful, human, and fast" experience.^[10] An example is shown below:

Windows Live Butterfly

In order to recognize the contributions of beta testers, Microsoft has initiated the Windows Live Butterfly awards program (formerly the MSN Butterfly program).

Prospective 'butterflies' are selected by the (Microsoft internal) Windows Live product team and are nominated for a minimum term of one year, after which they must be selected again by the internal product teams or their membership in the group will be dropped. The 'butterflies' are given new Microsoft software to test before the beta releases go public and are in direct contact with the program managers for Windows Live software.

Selected Butterflies have been re-recognized for the year of 2008.

See also

Microsoft portal

• Microsoft Office Live
• Xbox Live

References

1. ^ "What is Windows Live?". Retrieved on 2007-06-17.
2. ^ ^{a b} "Microsoft Previews New Windows Live and Office Live Services (press release)", Microsoft PressPass (2005-11-01). Retrieved on 2007-06-17. 
3. ^ Thurrott, Paul (2006-01-18). "Windows Live Preview", Paul Thurrott's SuperSite for Windows. Retrieved on 2007-06-17. 
4. ^ Windows Live Dev - Windows Live Contacts Gadget
5. ^ Mary Jo Foley: Microsoft severs Live Search from the rest of the Windows Live family
6. ^ Live Labs Manifesto
7. ^ Windows Live 2.0 release notes
8. ^ Post on LiveSide about the new look for Windows Live
9. ^ LiveSide.net: http://www.liveside.net/blogs/main/archive/2008/06/05/windows-live-wave-3-new-header-ui.aspx on 2008-06-06
10. ^ Live Search blog: More than a pretty face on 2008-05-06

External links

Windows Live

• Live.com Homepage
• Windows Live Products & Services
• Windows Live Betas
• LiveSide: Windows Live News
• LiveSino: LiveSide in Chinese
• Windows Live Blog on Windows Live Spaces

Microsoft Live Labs

• Microsoft Live Labs

Media

• BBC article
• CNET reviews