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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.
"you know you can trust it" Yeah, I'm gonna trust it in about the same fashion.
So they "invented" something like .mac by Apple, right? The latter is of course being overpriced and lacking compelling reasons to subscribe, but still, you can access your Mac from anywhere, it offers email, storage etc.
So, anything new here?
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.
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Am I the only one who thinks of the movie Antitrust when I hear this? I wonder if Microsoft bumped off a few OSS developers to get the code for Synap-- err... I mean... Live Mesh? And now that I think about it, is my wife really my wife or actually a Microsoft spy? Hmm.... /insert paranoia and tinfoil hats
Javascript + Nintendo DSi = DSiCade
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.
It will only work with Windows Mobile devices. Compatibility with any other OS is strictly prohibited by military MSFT doctrine.
This mesh won't work with generic phones, Linux phones, the iPhone, or any one else. Remember it took the EU years in court and a billion dollar fine to just get MSFT to release Networking Protocols.
*note some sarcasm was used above, if you can not detect it your sarcasm meter is broken, or running windows and constantly pegged*
i thought once I was found, but it was only a dream.
Despite the source, this could be a great tool for people if implemented correctly (and free). I already find myself using addons for firefox like FoxMarks to synchronize myself across several desktops/OS`. If this had even limited cross-platform support, or an open-API I'd imagine it could go pretty far.
And I'm sure this service will be popular for the exact same reason those products are: abuse of Monopoly.
"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...
... until they turn the servers off. Yesterday's PlaysForSure debacle comes to mind.
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....
Support NYCountryLawyer RIAA vs People
Microsoft has tried this before, and the industry already told them "Go away, Microsoft. We don't want HailStorm acting as the official Microsoft Big Brother of our technology lives."
Tired of FB/Google censorship? Visit UNCENSORED!
And for the first people fired for "uploading" their porn collection to their workstations at their jobs. Prepared. Can't wait!
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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.
Extend to other devices? Unless they're running Windows Mobile, pull the other one.
To my mind, this is an attempt to create a killer app which will tie everyone to Windows for another 5-10 years much like "I want shared calendars in Outlook and I'm prepared to pay a lot of money to get it" has tied businesses to Exchange for so long.
So I'm guessing activesync is going to be abandoned in the future for Live Mesh in terms of mobile devices? I never personally used activesync but I wonder if LM will absorb its responsibilities, and compatibilities. As long as there is no phoning home, I can see this having some good applications, but skepticism is always healthy.
Absolute power corrupts absolutely. indymedia
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Just for that snide remark, you get to provide Ballmer with some chairs...
Chas - The one, the only.
THANK GOD!!!
Plus, from the look of the website, they stole all the icons from KDE.
I swear, the anti-Microsoft Slashdot groupthink gets worse by the day.
The World Wide Web is dying. Soon, we shall have only the Internet.
Firstly to things:
1. I can't see the demo's, why? Apparently to "install Microsoft Silverlight to have a 'better' experience"... So no experience at all then.
2. I just must have a "Windows Live" account to sign in.
If these two small examples of Microsoft hubris, lock-in and lack of anything resembling open standards are to go by, then, no. No I shall not be partaking in their oh so, 'Wow' experience.
Microsoft announced today that the Live Mesh servers are going dark on June 1. Any data that users stored in the Opens Fo' So' Live Mesh format will no longer be accessable. Microsoft would like to remind its customers that its users should begin printing and re-keying any important documents before the g-dark date.
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Now that everybody is pre-bought it should only take a week or 2.
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.
WhiteWolf666 an exBush supporter. All you new-school,compassionate,save the children Republicans can rot in hell
And since it's run by Microsoft, you know you can trust it. ...and the rest of the Slashdot staff for telling us how to think. I was afraid I was going to have to RTFA but that little quip at the end spared me from having to do anything other then clear away some space in front of my leg so I don't stub my toe.
The days of single platform computing and lock-in are over. After Vista and "Plays for Sure", even the most die-hard Microsoft fans must have figured out that betting on all-Microsoft solutions is a sure way to lose.
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.
The price is always right if someone else is paying.
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
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. I know you're upset about MS. Who isn't? But slow down, breathe, note the Funny mod on the GP post. It was a joke. A pun. A play on words and not a bad one either.
Sometimes the only thing to do when MS comes along, steals tech from OLPC, "borrows" the look and feel of KDE and releases a half ass tech preview of something that will probably end up being as useful as Plays for Sure is to laugh.
Standard disclaimer: All of the above is rampant speculation based on history, current news and other
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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.
My blog. Good stuff (when I remember to update it). Read it.
"Microsoft still uses Passport for its own stuff."
Yes, but now they call it Windows Live ID.
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.