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.

EULA Love.

[willeyhill]

Trust a company that demands the right to delete any file they suspect of violating copyright? No thanks, not on any machine much less as a sync service to ruin other OS.

Looks interesting

[Zeinfeld]

Its an interesting idea, the limitations of synctoy are quite apparent. There is no reason why backup should be a separate operation these days it should all be automatic. Be nicer when they support mac as well.

Microsoft's naming policies...

[owlnation]

MS needs to fire the marketingdroid they have working out the names of things.

From the people who brought you "squirt" as a verb, now you have "mesh". A word that most people immediately associate with the word "trap".

I suspect the marketingdroid may be a saboteur.

What if it were Google?

[spazoid12]

"And since it's run by Microsoft, you know you can trust it."

I wonder if we'd get that comment if it were a Google service. Can we trust Google any more than Microsoft? Around here it sure seems like Google gets a free pass on everything and can do no wrong...

Re:Intergrated service

[zappepcs]

This is probably the most compelling reason to avoid it until after SP3 or equivalent. With Vista soaring to the top of the OS charts, IE and Office losing ground to competitors... well, things don't look so good for MS. Add the Yahoo! games, impending class action Vista Ready lawsuits, all they need now is one disgruntled employee to blow the whistle on nefarious dealings with the NSA regarding your web surfing habits and we can finally begin to smell the rot on the corpse that is MS.

IANAL nor a veteran of synch software coding but I'm willing to bet that MS will NOT support Mac or Linux with this product. I also do not beleive that they will support end users who lose their data. In fact, I'm willing to bet that there is less support from MS than F/OSS for lost data, so the price comparison really hurts the product. Sure, it will get used by default in places where they are too entrenched to move away from MS, or think they are.

The people that they need to sell this to first have to be taught WHY they need it. I don't see a very big splash being made with this product.... that is unless Sony gets involved, in which case the splash will be followed by a flush....

Re:like plays for sure?

[totmacher]

pfft "technology preview"?

Try PowerFolder. It's a mature alternative:
* The software works since 2003
* It gets actively developed
* It's open source - a free Basic client is available
* There is a commercial Pro client with advanced security and connectivity features and 5 GB Online backup space

http://www.powerfolder.com/ [powerfolder.com]

Best regards,
Christian

Interface by KDE

[alcmaeon]

Plus, from the look of the website, they stole all the icons from KDE.

I guess none of you use MS Products?

[HerculesMO]

Because Sharepoint is kind of like this already, it keeps everybody in our organization synchronized as far as our documentation and other things.

Of course, the willingness to bash is always entertaining, but the primary strength of Microsoft is its OWN interoperability, and making it easier for folks to keep synchronized only enhances their market position.

But please, continue with the bashing... it really makes *Nix seem like a viable alternative when all the sysadmins for those systems shit on Microsoft, without having any other arguments why to go for Linux other than "Open Source".

And for the record, I dual boot Ubuntu and Windows on my workstation PC.

Re:so it's like... ".mac"?

[pallmall1]

Apple invented it but Microsoft INNOVATED it!

While the quote is funny, I fear that the truth may not be. Microsoft's announcement times neatly with the One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) move to windows-only:

OLPC to scrap Linux for Windows [theinquirer.net]

The OLPC XO laptop has developed very effective Mesh Network [laptop.org]. To see how it works, click on the demo on this page [laptop.org].

This technology was made usable by the same "open source fundamentalists" that Nicholas Negroponte now marginalizes [computerworld.com] now that he's benefited from their tireless efforts and financial contributions.

I wonder if this technology found it's way to Microsoft and into "Live Mesh"?