Microsoft has been the leaders in the software and operating systems right from the days of DOS. The software applications and development suites from Microsoft are the most used among the computer users all over th world. Windows, the established brand name from Microsoft is the operating system that is used by more than 80% of the users. With the expansion of the web space through the concept of web 2.0 Microsoft too has its presence in the web with online services ranging from software services to social networking. The collection of software services that is offered online by Microsoft is referred under the name “Windows Live”.
Services and access:
The Windows Live services include the search, email, office application, Messenger, Photo Sharing and much more interactive services. The base requirement for using all such services from Microsoft is that one has tobe a registered user. There has to be valid Hotmail ID or a Windows Live ID. This will help him maintain a profile online that is shared across the entire community of friends. The services also vary topologically and they are offered in different languages accordingly.
Windows Silverlight:
Windows Silverlight is the platform independent web development/interfacing base. The Silverlight is a much more interactive interface builder and is comparable to the Adobe Flash. The Silverlight oriented development tools and APIs are the developer services that one can get from the Windows live Service. These can help in building Rich Internet Applications over the Silverlight framework. The plugins that are available for every browser make it very much platform independent.
Office live:
The Microsoft Office that is the complete office suite helping us in creating Spreadsheets, word documents etc, is ported on the web for the use online. By accessing the windows live services, one can have access to the office tools and can create/edit office files. Also a part of the windows live service is the online storage that is offered free to every user. This way all the documents, photos of yours can go right into the live account. They can be accessed from anywhere and the mobiles too have the interface available through the apps that are made available from Microsoft.
Blogging and Social contact:
The Blog Writer service helps you in publishing the blogs as you write it. The Skydrive service that manages your online storage can take up the attachments and photos that you have along with your blog write-ups. The Messenger service and Live Profile helps you have contact with all the other users out there. Connecting with your friends online can be simple as all the browsers support the MSN Chat online through the windows Live. Your status, photos sharing everything can be social to the level you intend them to be. The hotmail service is the one that has been around for a long time and the interface has had a great facelift with dynamic UI. The Bing search engine is also accessible from Windows Live, for searching the web as well as your emails.