I’m not a Microsoft fan (self-confessed Mac bigot) but Live Writer has the makings of genuine success. Live Writer is a PC desktop application that allows users to write WYSIWYG posts directly to most blog engines (WordPress, MovableType, Blogger etc).
Commenters to Mike Arringtons’ post at TechCrunch typically fall into the dreary PC v Mac geeko argument without recognising there are many millions of business users out there who’ve yet to hear about this medium yet alone figured out how to embrace it.
Organisations of any size like to standardise on certain tools – Office is the standout example. The fact Microsoft is giving Live Writer away is a great way to seed that community while answering the question: ‘Is it Microsoft compliant?’ Like others, I wish they’d build a Mac version because again, there are plenty of folk who use Mac notebooks that hook to Microsoft networks and access Microsoft files. Those same files could become part of blog entries.
Where Microsoft has been clever is in releasing a development kit so that ISVs can figure new uses. Where I’m less clear is whether this includes an API as Techcrunch claims. If so then the expansion possibilities into other applications opens up new…vistas (sic).
Note: Some users are reporting glitches but by and large it seems to have received a good press. I’ve checked it out on Joe’s R31 and not experienced any issues.
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