Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

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

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the live-mesh-all-nude dept.

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.

23 of 208 comments (clear)

  1. like plays for sure? by bagboy · · Score: 4, Insightful

    "you know you can trust it" Yeah, I'm gonna trust it in about the same fashion.

    1. Re:like plays for sure? by totmacher · · Score: 3, Interesting

      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/

      Best regards,
      Christian

  2. so it's like... ".mac"? by phooka.de · · Score: 4, Insightful

    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?

    1. Re:so it's like... ".mac"? by phpmysqldev · · Score: 5, Funny

      Just what I was looking for!
      A way to organize all of the unethically gathered data Microsoft has collected on me!

      Thank God! I thought they might actually have to look in two databases to realize I don't like Vista, but I do like pizza and bunnies...I mean first person shooters...yeah...FPS...def not bunnies

    2. Re:so it's like... ".mac"? by sm62704 · · Score: 5, Funny

      So, anything new here?

      Apple invented it but Microsoft INNOVATED it!

      --
      mcgrew's razor: Never attribute to stupidity that which can be explained by greedy self-interest
    3. Re:so it's like... ".mac"? by nvivo · · Score: 4, Insightful

      So, anything new here? Yes. Now you can share all your viruses and spyware with your friends and family on your online desktop.

      Actually, you could do it already. Microsoft is just making it easier.
  3. Antitrust? by AKAImBatman · · Score: 3, Funny

    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
  4. sorry your wrong by peragrin · · Score: 4, Insightful

    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.
  5. What if it were Google? by spazoid12 · · Score: 3, Interesting

    "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...

    1. Re:What if it were Google? by WhiteWolf666 · · Score: 3, Informative

      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.

      --
      WhiteWolf666 an exBush supporter. All you new-school,compassionate,save the children Republicans can rot in hell
  6. This will be great... by igotmybfg · · Score: 4, Insightful

    ... until they turn the servers off. Yesterday's PlaysForSure debacle comes to mind.

  7. Re:Intergrated service by zappepcs · · Score: 3, Interesting

    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
  8. We've seen this before by IGnatius+T+Foobar · · Score: 4, Informative

    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!
  9. Re:Could be great. by Uncle+Focker · · Score: 5, Insightful

    If this had even limited cross-platform support, or an open-API I'd imagine it could go pretty far. Did you miss the part where it's a Microsoft product?
  10. Re:Looks interesting by just_another_sean · · Score: 3, Funny

    Be nicer when they support mac as well. Maybe they can get ISO to turn it into a standard so we can get an open source implementation as well. I hear MS has a nice, tight relationship with ISO so it's possible. :-)
    --
    Creationist Textbook Stickers Declared Unconstitutional by CowboyNeal
  11. Re:Yeah, that's great. by just_another_sean · · Score: 3, Funny

    Prepare yourself for the flood of home-made porn (BAD home-made porn) that is "synced across multiple devices".

    And for the first people fired for "uploading" their porn collection to their workstations at their jobs. Prepared. Can't wait!

    --
    Creationist Textbook Stickers Declared Unconstitutional by CowboyNeal
  12. I don't think it's necessary to RTFA by jimicus · · Score: 5, Insightful

    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.

  13. Re:Microsoft's naming policies... by Thanshin · · Score: 4, Funny

    The entire marketing team is trapped in a basement and the only way they have to ask for help is through the product names.

    Hmmm, let me see... Office visual studio enterprise vista team...

    ...

    ...

    Bah, let them rot.

  14. Interface by KDE by alcmaeon · · Score: 3, Interesting

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

    1. Re:Interface by KDE by xerxesVII · · Score: 4, Funny

      This part of their effort to embrace OSS.

      --
      "We shall grapple with the ineffable, and see if we may not eff it after all." - Douglas Adams
    2. Re:Interface by KDE by freemywrld · · Score: 4, Funny

      If by "embrace" you mean "grab by the throat and squeeeeeeeze..."

      --
      Support a true independent artist - Leila Lopez
  15. Thank god for CmdrTaco.. by stubear · · Score: 3, Insightful

    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.

  16. give it up, Microsoft by nguy · · Score: 3, Insightful

    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.