So Microsoft has this cool new desktop application called Windows Live Writer. It makes blogging as easy as creating documents in Word, and incorporates a few unique features. I wasn’t going to be blogging about for a few days, but it appears the embargo was broken by an unprofessional blogger and I might as well add my two cents while the buzz is still building. First a few pictures of installation and configuration.
What interests me most is the ability to easily insert maps into your posts, and the SDK that lets you add support for other services to Windows Live Writer. With maps you can choose from road views, aerial views, or my favorite: bird’s eye views. Bird’s eye views are only available for certain locations.
Here you can see a resized part of the Microsoft campus in the bird’s eye view. You can then modify the layout by clicking on the map. You can specify whether or not text wraps around the map, you can set a caption, and you can set margins so that your text isn’t right up against the map. Another nice feature is being able to resize the maps, which crops the photo instead of distorting it with a real resize that keeps the current aspect ratio.
Adding images is a snap. You can set sizes, and add effects. You can even add watermarks like I have in the screenshots above.
I have to say that the nicest feature is being able to work on your posts in a What You See Is What You Get view. No longer will you have to keep saving your post updates in order to see how they will look. The Web Preview is supposed to be able to show you exactly how your post will look on your site. Though for me it it wasn’t working because it’s creating local copies of the blog’s files but they are all 0kb in file length.
Windows Live Writer is a welcome addition to the publishing arena, and will compete with Performancing for Firefox for my affection. Primarily because Microsoft has made publishing photos to my blog so easy. And I can always create an addon using their SDK to add any features I wish they had.
Microsoft is planning a wiki-like system that would allow its employees to work together to plot the company’s future. The tool will be based on Microsoft’s SharePoint portal technology and is part of an effort “to allow Microsoft to better distribute its strategic planning among its many technical leaders.”
This seems like an interesting move, though they will have to make sure good ideas don’t get buried in the efforts of their thousands of employees. There is an inherent risk involved with wikis that information can easily get lost or forgotten, though it is easier to find than it would be if the information wasn’t online.
Bill Gates’ keynote at CES is being streamed live online, and below are some details I’ve recorded.
Microsoft showed that Vista makes editing photos much easier. You can crop photos as you view them, and the original photo is always saved so years later you can find the original with the areas that were removed.
Microsoft displayed new media management technology that allows you to easily find music from your collection. You can even view by genres, and see visually how many albums are in each genre. The next version of media player is visual, and it’s easy to scroll through your entire collection and view the songs in each album along with album art.
MTV announced a new music service in conjunction with Microsoft called Urge. Urge offers tons of options to play, interact with, and buy music. Then Justin Timberlake came on stage and joked that his next album will have a duet with Bill Gates. He also said that he will be doing some interesting things with Urge for that new release.
Microsoft has been investing in tablet technology. Note-taking is a big feature that they are bringing to Vista and consumers. The technology will be able to adapt to your style of hand-writing, and the more you use it the better the results. The next version of OneNote will be bringing this to the consumers. They are committed to driving tablet capability to the mainstream.
You will now be able to get DirectTV video onto your Media Center PC.
Microsoft is showing off the Toshiba Gigabeat. It is a small, portable device that runs the MS Portable Media Center. It is playing a video downloaded from the new Vongo video service from Starz. You can sync with your media center pc easily from the device.
10:40PM update
You can search for shows to record. You can use the new Windows Messenger Live Beta to connect to a tv show service. It knows what shows your friends like if they provided that information, and it can recommend shows that are on that they like. You can ask for recommendations for show genres, and what is on at a certain time. The service will then offer to show you a trailer that it thinks you may like.
Once you find something you want, your computer will tell your Media Center PC to record the selected show.
Interactivity layer of HD-DVD: When you are watching a movie you can find out who a character in the movie is while it is playing. You can then get info on them, and find out what other movies they were in. This goes on while the movie is playing, and your family isn’t mad at you.
HD-DVD allows you to make legal copies of HD movies, then you can store the DVD and have easy access to your movies.
Windows Vista Media Center can receive digital cable natively. You can connect a cable receiver to your PC, and slide in a cable card.
12am update: wrap-up by Bill Gates
It’s got to be user-centric. Software has got to provide simplicity.
“Testers will get a taste of the new user interface Microsoft has created, which replaces the standard toolbars with ‘ribbons’ that offer features specific for the current task. Outlook 12 has a few new features of its own, including a ‘To Do’ bar for viewing mail, tasks and appointments in a single pane, and built-in RSS reader.”
“Beta testers will also get a taste of the new server-based offerings.” “Aside from the new server functionality and task-oriented user interface, the big change coming to Office 12 is the new Open XML file format.”
According to insider sources, Activewin is reporting that the official name for the Longhorn operating system is Microsoft Windows Vista. Neowin points out that various domains for Windows Vista have been registered. An official announcement is expected on Friday (today), at 9AM EST.
It seems that Microsoft’s crack team of AJAX and feed lovers has created a new testbed over at start.com. This time version 3 is a combination of the first 2, with a slightly more organized interface and easier-to-use feed displaying features. The tabs aren’t there from the first one, and everything just works. Check it out at start.com/myw3b/ or go here to answer a cute puzzle that gives you the version 3 URL.
They are also looking for brilliant developers to hire.
Disclaimer:
The opinions expressed here are my personal opinions. They are not endorsed by any party and no party has anything to do with them. But I do love to par-tay!
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