Windows Live

Some of the applications that used to be bundled with Windows Vista are now available within the separately downloadable package called Windows Live (www.windowslive.com). Among other things, previous Windows users may have had Windows Messenger, MSN Messenger, and Windows Live Messenger installed simultaneously under Windows XP or Vista. Windows Live Messenger handles those functions now. Further, Microsoft says that it will release and update the programs within Windows Live separately from updates to Windows 7.

Note The new Windows Live represents a shift by Microsoft into the area of cloud computing, according to many observers. Cloud computing uses externally located (usually), dynamically scalable resources (such as large file and network servers) as a service over the Internet.This means that customers do not have to own the physical infrastructure serving as host to the software platform in question. Instead, they rent usage of those resources from some third-party provider. They use those resources as a service and pay only for resources that they use. As such, there are now three parts to the platform: Windows 7 Core OS, Windows Live applications (bundled together as Windows Live Essentials), and Windows Live Services (Hotmail, Spaces, and so on). Some hardware vendors might even preinstall Windows Live Essentials.

Note Windows Live and Office Live into an integrated set of services at one single destination.Windows Live, is a set of software and services that provide mail, instant messaging, blogging and social-networking services.Office Live is a collection of services designed for small businesses and includes Office Live Workspace,Office Live Small Business, and Office Live Groove.

The following are specific applications in Windows Live Essentials:

• Bing (Microsoft's new search engine)
• Windows Live Messenger
• Windows Live Mail
• Windows Live Photo Gallery
• Windows Live Writer
• Windows Live Toolbar
• Windows Live Family Safety
• Windows Live Movie Maker
• Microsoft Office Outlook Connector 12.1
• Windows Live Sync (integrated with Toolbar and Photo Gallery)
• Microsoft Sky Drive
• Microsoft Silverlight

Note Access to any of the Windows Live applications requires that you have a Windows Live ID.You can also use a Passport ID or a Messenger ID. If you don't already have one, you'll be asked to sign up.