First Looks at Microsoft's New "Live Mesh" Platform

technirvana writes "Microsoft's Live Mesh service launched today as an invite-only 'technology preview.' It is Microsoft's attempt to tie all of our data together. Live Mesh synchronizes data across multiple devices (currently just Windows computers, but theoretically it will extend to mobile and other devices in the future) as well as to a web desktop that exists in the cloud. It can sync data across devices used by a single users, as well as create shared spaces for multiple users." And since it's run by Microsoft, you know you can trust it.

Re:Enterprise Computing agrees!

[mweather]

And I'm sure this service will be popular for the exact same reason those products are: abuse of Monopoly.

We've seen this before

[IGnatius T Foobar]

Microsoft has tried this before, and the industry already told them "Go away, Microsoft. We don't want HailStorm [nytimes.com] acting as the official Microsoft Big Brother of our technology lives."

Re:What if it were Google?

[WhiteWolf666]

While I don't think they are saintly, Google hasn't pulled half of the shady shit Microsoft has. In terms of business ethics, Microsoft is really right up there with the uglier oil companies and tobacco company. They don't think in terms of what is legal; they think in terms of opportunity cost to illegal actions, with a healthy dosage of risk.

One should suspect all companies, as they are built on profit motives, however, Microsoft has a very very shady track record to boot.

Is it just me, or is it a good idea

[WhiteWolf666]

To avoid any Microsoft product with the term "Live!" in the title?

Sure, actually, you should avoid all MS products, period. But especially the "Live!" Products. There's like... 200 of them on Wikipedia, and I've heard of maybe 10.

Re:Intergrated service

[zappepcs]

tap tap tap... hello McFly!

When MS threatened a unfriendly buyout of Yahoo! is what I'm referring to as Yahoo! Games.

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&output=googleabout&btnG=Search+our+site&q=yahoo%20buyout%20microsoft [google.com]

You pick the source you want to read about the story. Perhaps you might stop to think that not all the bad or flippant comments about MS are posted by people simply out to bash MS. Some of them are deserved and well earned comments.

Re:like plays for sure?

[Anonymous Coward]

Yup, technology previews are awesome. Remember the good ol' days when they came out with the *exciting* longhorn previews? Compared to the current Vista platform, they were offering magic.

Re:ms isn't the evil empire any more

[PitaBred]

As soon as a year goes by without Microsoft doing something shady, I'll consider starting to trust them again. They've already fucked up this year with the ISO stuff, so the earliest I might consider trusting them is in the middle of 2009. Assuming they don't do anything stupid between now and then.

But we all know what happens when we assume.

Microsoft Passport is now Windows Live ID.

[Futurepower(R)]

"Microsoft still uses Passport for its own stuff."

Yes, but now they call it Windows Live ID [passport.net].

After several nasty vulnerabilities and extremely bad press, they changed the name. Hey, maybe Jabba the Hutt could change his name and apply for a job as a supermodel.

The description of Windows Live ID says, "Simplify your sign in". Yes, simplify, give Microsoft control, and increase the chance of vulnerabilities. If Microsoft didn't take advantage of the technical ignorance of its customers, how much profit would it make? In my opinion, far less.