November, 2006

Live Search Marketing Kicks into Gear

It’s no secret that Microsoft got a late jump on Google in search.  More people use Google to look for information on the internet than any other search engine.  Microsoft is  hoping to steal some of Google’s thunder by converting …

Live. hole patched, according to Bink

Bink.nu has the news that the land grab for Live addresses is apparently over for a time:

“Microsoft have patched a loophole in the Windows Live Signup program that allowed users to register any iteration of live.<countrytld>, e.g. live.co.uk, live.com

Ode to Long Zheng

A while ago, we were berated by some kid from Australia smile_tongue about our site design, and though it stung we knew it to be true.  This weekend, our resident Community Server guru Nick Brown got to work – upgrading Community Server …

Live.com Update: Perf, Gadgets Improvements

Sanaz and the Live.com team posted last night on “a small update” to Live.com, featuring continued performance improvements (and yes it’s sooo much better than the old days).  Live.com promises even more perf improvements coming soon, according to the blog …

Windows Live Spaces gets evolutionary update

Today sees a small but valuable Windows Live Spaces update that tweaks and fixes the existing version to improve both performance and usability. Key changes include:

  • Improved customisations menu, providing access to a built-in color changer (previously TweakUI powertoy), and the

Windows Live email addresses start to become available [Updated]

Note (1st December 2006): Since this was originally posted, @live.com email addresses are no longer available. Currently only @live.nl addresses are now available. Please read the following posts for more information.

13/11/2006 @live.com hack fixed 
15/11/2006 Live Mail to delete new

My vision of the future for Windows Vista Sidebar Gadgets

From time to time I receive emails with questions about my gadgets and gadget development. For example, "How do I create a fly-out in a Sidebar gadget?" or, my favorite, "How do I remove your iTunes gadget from

QnA adds and improves; Local turns Japanese; a note on VE 3d

Word is out from Betsy about some new features over at Windows Live QnA, including a new browse page for tags, a new question page interface, the initiation of a content rating system, an email a question to a friend …

Windows Live OneCare 1.5 to launch with Windows Vista

Hot off the OneCare blog is news that Windows Live OneCare 1.5 will be available to the public on January 30th 2007, the same day as Windows Vista launches to the masses. New features currently include:

  • Windows Vista support
  • International
  • Microsoft to offer Windows Live Services to Hutch

    Hutchison Essar and Microsoft Corp. have announced a broad scale mobile services alliance in India. The two companies have agreed in principle to work together to provide mobile search and other key Windows Live services to Hutch's subscriber base of …