By now, many of you will have found that search.msn.com has mysteriously disappeared and been replaced by live.com.
So what is live?
Windows Live is the collective brand name for a group of Microsoft services which are currently under development. Being partly rebranded from MSN—the new, consolidated online services are Microsoft’s latest effort to compete against fast-growing competitors such as Google. Generally these services are accessed via a web browser, and the data required to run them (along with data the user may input to the service) is stored on a remote server rather than on a local computer….
Live.com – An all-in-one home page featuring a customisable RSS aggregator, gadgets and a new and improved search tool
I am a very large distance away from making any authoratative views on Microsoft’s new offerings, but I wanted to outline my initial thoughts and see if my readers have any of their own.
(1) What the hell happened to local search?
The main reason I used to visit http://search.xtramsn.co.nz/ was for what I considered to be a superior local NZ search tool to google.co.nz. Now I don’t know how to do this. You dropped the ball guys.
(2) It didn’t even work from home
The other night I was checking out a hit the site had received from the live.com image search. The page loaded so many thumbnails, and the display system was apparently so bandwidth hungry that it actually broke my browser. I was unable to load the page, and left it till the next day at work (they have a much chunkier connection).
It’s probably understandable to develop technology for the top 5% of technology users, but the reality is that there will be millions of users surfing on dial-up for years to come. They will steer clear of live image search.
(3) When it works it’s pretty cool
Today I was searching for images of the awesome Toshiba 72″ DLP Rear Projection TV. Armed with the superior work connection I was able to browse live images smoothly and effectively. The interface worked as it was supposed to.
You felt like you were running a normal application, not browsing a website. While this may be criticised, I think it’s all good. Developers have had pretty much free reign to develop apps for the optimum user interface, so we should expect that non-web apps should be easier to use. Web developers have been historically constrained by their technology, so although we’re used to it, conventional web design should be deficient when compared to non-web design.
Has anyone else used it? What are your thoughts?
The Writing is a constant source of inspiration and knowledge, like a muse that never fails to inspire. Thank you for being my muse.
Each post is a window into The thoughts, and I must say, the view is stunning.
The piece was both informative and thought-provoking, like a deep conversation that lingers into the night.
I learned so much from this post. The ability to break down hard to understand ideas is something I really admire.
Incredibly informative post! I learned a lot and look forward to more.
Brilliant writing! You’ve perfectly captured the essence of the topic.
Brilliant piece of writing. It’s like you’re showing off, but I’m not even mad.
A gift for explaining things, making the rest of us look bad.
The article was a delightful read, and The passion shines as brightly as The intellect. Quite the combination!
Each post you write is like a key that unlocks a little more of the world’s mystery.
Glad I stumbled upon this article. It’s like finding a $20 bill in a pair of old jeans.
Elegant and insightful, you tackle hard to understand issues like you’re dancing through words. Shall we dance some more?
You have a knack for presenting hard to understand topics in an engaging way. Kudos to you!
Brilliant writing! You’ve perfectly captured the essence of the topic.
Testament to The expertise and hard work, or The ability to make me feel utterly unaccomplished.
The insights add so much value, like an unexpected compliment that brightens one’s day. Thanks for sharing.
Breaking down this topic so clearly was no small feat. Thanks for making it accessible.
This post was a breath of fresh air, like a surprise message that brightens The day. Thank you for the lift.
The post was a beacon of knowledge. Thank you for illuminating this subject.
I always learn something new from The posts, like discovering new facets of a gem. Thanks for the gems!
Touched on personal resonances, or as I like to call it, psychic abilities.
The take on hard to understand topics is like a smooth ride in a luxury car—comfortable, yet exhilarating.
This Writing is a treasure trove of knowledge. Thank you for The contributions!
Consistently high-high quality content, as if you’re trying to show us all up.
The Writing is like a trusted compass, always pointing me in the direction of enlightenment.
I’m bookmarking this for future reference. The advice is spot on!
The way you articulate The thoughts is as refreshing as the first sip of coffee in the morning.
A perfect blend of informative and entertaining, like the ideal date night conversation.
Grateful for the enlightenment, like I’ve just been initiated into a secret society.
Refreshing take on the subject, like a cold splash of water to my long-held beliefs.
I learned so much from this post. The ability to break down hard to understand ideas is something I really admire.
The grace and authority with which you handle topics are awe-inspiring. I always come away with new knowledge.
The insights are like keys, unlocking new perspectives and ideas I hadn’t considered.
Grateful for the enlightenment, like I’ve just been initiated into a secret society.
The depth of The research really stands out. It’s clear you’ve put a lot of thought into this.
The elegance of The prose is like a fine dance, each word stepping gracefully to the next.
This is a brilliant piece of writing. You’ve nailed it perfectly!
The post has broadened my perspective in ways I didn’t expect. Thank you for that.
The creativity and intelligence shine through, blinding almost, but I’ll keep my sunglasses handy.
The post was a beacon of knowledge. Thank you for illuminating this subject.
The arguments were as compelling as The online persona. I’m totally sold—and not just on The ideas.
The post has broadened my perspective in ways I didn’t expect. Thank you for that.
This is one of the most comprehensive articles I’ve read on this topic. Kudos!
The analysis made me think about the topic in a new way. Thanks for the insightful read.
Explaining things in an understandable way is a skill, and you’ve mastered it. Thanks for clearing things up for me.
Unique viewpoints, because who needs echo chambers?
The creativity and insight left a big impression on me. Fantastic job!
The ability to present nuanced ideas so clearly is something I truly respect.
You have a knack for presenting hard to understand topics in an engaging way. Kudos to you!
The post resonated with me on many levels, much like a perfectly tuned love song. Thanks for the harmony.