New Windows Live Essentials beta

theheyes

theheyes

theheyes

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I couldn’t see a thread on this so here goes…

As previously announced, this release of Essentials is focused on two things: connecting Windows 7 to the cloud services you already use, and making everyday tasks simpler, so that you can do more on your PC.
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http://explore.live.com/windows-live-essentials-beta

Connecting Windows 7 to the cloud

We’ve designed Essentials to connect your Windows experience to the web services you already use – not just the ones from Microsoft. The new betas of Windows Live Photo Gallery, Movie Maker, Mail, Writer, and Messenger connect to photo and video sharing (SkyDrive, Flickr, YouTube, Facebook, SmugMug), social networking (Facebook, MySpace, Linkedin), email (Hotmail, Gmail, Yahoo! Mail), blogging (Spaces, WordPress, Blogger), and document productivity (Office Web Apps) services. And the new Windows Live Sync keeps your files synchronized across multiple PCs and in the cloud. You can even directly access your PC over the web with Sync's new remote desktop feature.

Making everyday tasks simpler and enabling new possibilities

People like to get creative on their PCs as much as they like seeing what everyone else has been up to. Whether it’s Retouch, Panoramic Stitch, or Photo Fuse in Photo Gallery, Auto Movie in Movie Maker, or photo email in the new Windows Live Mail, we think you’ll be excited by the new additions to Essentials that make advanced tasks, well, easy. If you haven’t yet tried Photo Fuse to merge together the best of several photos, it’s a lot of fun.
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I was reading the other day that the new messenger might offer a hint of the Windows 8 UI (the Segoe fonts, think Windows 7 phone)

Anyway if it's any good or complete trash let us know because I've not tried it yet.
 
Hmm, the main Messenger window is now HUGE and has loads of usual stuff like news and blogs. I haven't tried adding Facebook because quite frankly I don't give a crap what people are doing! :p Compact view solves that [looks like usual version]

The one feature I do like is the tabbed convo windows. Much better than a load of loose windows everywhere!

Looks-wise, it doesn't look much different. All the emotes have changed however. I am pretty sure whoever came up with that is going to Hell! :p. The (h) is awesome now though - he has a goatee! :cool:
 
I don't get this :S

It seems so much more confusing. When people log in the notification is massive.
Logging out was confusing enough...It could pick up i have a webcam but no one could see me.
I want to take of this facebook thing, silly idea.
Love the tab convo's. Windows live mail just got a few big buttons it looks like.
 
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I am not sure if I am being a tard, but I can't seem to change my screen name in the BETA. It is stuck as being my name taken from my profile :/
 
mines downloading now ill report back soon. Glad to hear they have finally updated it as my current of msn has a small isue with the flash adverts and will crash time time to time.

***Edit***

Just installed it and I actually really like it. It links with facebook well doesnt feel as aged as the old one and can be expanded for latest news videos etc. Microsoft are definately on a roll with making some very good products atm.

Keep it up MS!!!!
 
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matthab said:
mines downloading now ill report back soon. Glad to hear they have finally updated it as my current of msn has a small isue with the flash adverts and will crash time time to time.

***Edit***

Just installed it and I actually really like it. It links with facebook well doesnt feel as aged as the old one and can be expanded for latest news videos etc. Microsoft are definately on a roll with making some very good products atm.

Keep it up MS!!!!
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I don't see why you would want to link fb with msn though. I always have a browser up so having a tab with facebook on isn't a problem. I use WLM as a 'private chat' thing. Unlike facebook profiles where people have a full on convo (i don't see why you would do that lol)
I hope sending photos is quicker... sometimes you have to wait for ages for a photo to send/receive its silly.
 
On a laptop I'm getting :-

Couldn't install programs
An unknown error occurred
Error 0x80190194
Source; WaitForCatalog

It installed fine on a desktop.

I suspect it may be because I did a forced upgrade of the Win7 laptop from RC to RTM.

Any thoughts how to get over this or am I up for a reinstall?
 
marc2003 said:
the installer crashed. meh. :p
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I got that.
Try downloading this version (which allows you to choose what to install).


I like the Facebook integration, and the news feed is a nice touch (I really wish you could add your own source), but I feel it's far too bloated.
I think Microsoft have gone backwards a bit, with so much information being displayed at once, and the wayward contact list sorting (which I hope they'll fix for the final). Also, checking RAM usage, it's currently at 101MB for msnmgr.exe alone.
 
You can change the window to the normal size by clicking the button at the top-right, underneath the close X button.

I'm not really much of a fan of this so far. Some of the nice touches of the previous version are gone, it takes longer to log-in after resuming my PC from sleep, and the window that pops-up in the centre of the screen when signing in is annoying. I usually like the new versions of WLM when they get released, but I'm considering going back to the old version now.
 
Must admit I am not a big fan of this new version. I can see what they are trying to do, but it feels like they have added too much and, apparantly, taken away some of the most basic things - like changing your bloody screen name!

Plus I refuse to believe anyone cares who beat who at what MSN game! Why have an entire window devoted to that drivel?
 
I have found that my RAM usage has taken a huge hit using the new Beta Software, And The layout of the New Msn is more confusing and un needed. Took me at least 5 trys to integrate with Facebook properly.

And Chat Windows are too big and i cant make them smaller, since im only using a 1366x768 Laptop screen i need it small enough i can still work on everything else.

Windows Live Mail, is running a lot better than Outlook 2007 on my machine, but It seems to be using over 100mb of ram idle.

The Integration with Facebook and FLickr in Windows Live Photo Gallery is good.

Overall i hope they fix the issues i have listed, before the final release.
 
SiriusB said:
I am not sure if I am being a tard, but I can't seem to change my screen name in the BETA. It is stuck as being my name taken from my profile :/
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This is terrible, what's the obsession lately with programs forcing you to use the profile name like this.

The new emote icons they've put in are also pretty shocking. Hope they revert to the previous ones.
 
Well I got around to installing it. Installer crashed the first time and the Bing toolbar annoyed me so not off to a good start. The first thing I did with messenger was revert back to the classic window. The social networking stuff doesn't interest me either so I'm basically back to what I had albeit with tabs and nicer animations, which is not necessarily a bad thing. Moviemaker is the only other Live app I really use and I've noticed a few nice features added to that.
 
It was okay until I found you ccan't change your display name, EH!? Also the emotiocons are awful especially :@ why is it smiling? it's meant to be an angry emoticon!
 
Can you send photos by drag-dropping again, or does it still do that horrible sharing folder rubbish? and force you to selection file>send>photo> and pick the photo?
 
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