Testing out the latest Windows Live Writer

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I’m playing around with Windows Live Writer, here’s their blog where you can download it from.

They released a new version last week and it’s a very nice way to edit your blog (it’s an offline editor that lets you write and edit your blog without using a browser). Hooked up to my blog very quickly. Presents me with a much nicer user interface than WordPress.com has. Doesn’t rely on the browser, so I can open and close the browser as much as I want (since I’m playing with an early version of Firefox that crashes a lot on my system that’s a huge advantage). I’ll have to get Maryam using this for her blog, since it’s a lot nicer. Of course it always takes me about a year to convince her to do anything. If you read her blog (I’m her husband) you’d know why.

One more test, I want to see if I can copy and paste accurately from FriendFeed. I’m using Microsoft’s Internet Explorer 8.0, beta 2, and copied this item, and am just pasting it in here:

Google Reader Louis Gray – Google Reader
Rumors of Upcoming Microsoft Cut-Backs

OK, it did just about the same as copying an item out of Google Chrome and into WordPress.com’s browser-based editor does. Cool.

Anyway, looking good. You should try it with your blog and let us know how it goes.

Why haven’t I always used it? Because I was using a bunch of different computers and didn’t like having a great UI on one, but not on the others (Windows Live Writer doesn’t work on an iPhone, for instance) and I wanted to know WordPress.com like the back of my hand so I could post faster. Now I don’t need that anymore because all my fast posting is done on Twitter or FriendFeed, and also because I’m consolidating my blogging into one computer, so an offline editor makes more sense.

Thanks Microsoft, very nice job!

Published by Robert Scoble

I help entrepreneurs build their technology business' story, help with getting ready for investors, with other launch plans, and many other strategic things that can help your new startup. Call to talk: +1-425-205-1921 (text first).

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61 thoughts on “Testing out the latest Windows Live Writer”

  3. I’ve been using Windows Live Writer (WLW) on my various WordPress blogs for at least a year now. I wouldn’t use anything else. It’s supersy to change between blogs, or if you have one post you want to post to both places, easy peasy. Just select from a drop down menu. If you change the theme of your blog, you can download the look and feel into WLW as well so you can see what your post looks like before you publish. It’s easy to manipulate the placement of photos in your blog (left, right, center) and also super easy to insert video, like from YouTube. You can also easily schedule your blogs for publication at a later date. If you find a typo in your post and want to update, just fix it in WLW and republish – it doesn’t duplicate the post.

    The whole Windows Live team is doing some really kick @$$ things these days.

    Like

  4. I’ve been using Windows Live Writer (WLW) on my various WordPress blogs for at least a year now. I wouldn’t use anything else. It’s supersy to change between blogs, or if you have one post you want to post to both places, easy peasy. Just select from a drop down menu. If you change the theme of your blog, you can download the look and feel into WLW as well so you can see what your post looks like before you publish. It’s easy to manipulate the placement of photos in your blog (left, right, center) and also super easy to insert video, like from YouTube. You can also easily schedule your blogs for publication at a later date. If you find a typo in your post and want to update, just fix it in WLW and republish – it doesn’t duplicate the post.

    The whole Windows Live team is doing some really kick @$$ things these days.

    Like

  5. Pingback: New Version of Windows Live Writer

  8. The Live Writer works great with Live Mesh too. Just sychronize the ‘My Weblog Posts’ folder and you can write your posts on any number of computers you are using.

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  9. The Live Writer works great with Live Mesh too. Just sychronize the ‘My Weblog Posts’ folder and you can write your posts on any number of computers you are using.

    Like

  12. Live Writer has improved a lot recently and it is nice to see a Live product that actually benefits the tech community so much. I don’t think it will have a big impact on the general public but it certainly makes our lives easier. Good job Microsoft.

    Like

  13. Live Writer has improved a lot recently and it is nice to see a Live product that actually benefits the tech community so much. I don’t think it will have a big impact on the general public but it certainly makes our lives easier. Good job Microsoft.

    Like

  14. The one thing I didn’t like was it had a preset folder for drafts/docs. I’ll have to take a look & see if this one allows you to spec a location. I’m using another off-line editor saving to a Live Mesh folder which isn’t in “my doc”currently.

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  15. The one thing I didn’t like was it had a preset folder for drafts/docs. I’ll have to take a look & see if this one allows you to spec a location. I’m using another off-line editor saving to a Live Mesh folder which isn’t in “my doc”currently.

    Like

  24. Microsoft Windows Live Writer is unquestionably the best blog writing program around. Bar none. It is for that program alone (well, maybe Visual Studio and Office too) that having a Windows machine around is worthwhile.

    If only there was a remotely close program for the Mac that can compete with Windows Live Writer. I sure haven’t found one yet.

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  25. Microsoft Windows Live Writer is unquestionably the best blog writing program around. Bar none. It is for that program alone (well, maybe Visual Studio and Office too) that having a Windows machine around is worthwhile.

    If only there was a remotely close program for the Mac that can compete with Windows Live Writer. I sure haven’t found one yet.

    Like

  26. Windows Live Writer is unquestionably and undoubtedly the best blog writing program on any platform. Period. Bar none. It is the one reason I keep a Windows machine around (well, I guess Visual Studio and Office are good too).

    I have yet to find any program on the Mac that remotely comes close to Live Writer in terms of functionality and just general program goodness. If someone knows of one, I would love to know.

    Like

  27. Windows Live Writer is unquestionably and undoubtedly the best blog writing program on any platform. Period. Bar none. It is the one reason I keep a Windows machine around (well, I guess Visual Studio and Office are good too).

    I have yet to find any program on the Mac that remotely comes close to Live Writer in terms of functionality and just general program goodness. If someone knows of one, I would love to know.

    Like

  28. I’ve been using Live Writer for over a year with my WordPress blog. I love it. It works great. You can even get a portable version for a USB drive if you’re worried about it being consistent on multiple computers.

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  30. I’ve been using Live Writer for over a year with my WordPress blog. I love it. It works great. You can even get a portable version for a USB drive if you’re worried about it being consistent on multiple computers.

    Like

  32. Ironically your wife turns off comments and shows no trackbacks on this post. So much for conversation 🙂 with her.

    I get why she waits to see what you truly stick with. You do go on and on about liking this or that — like remember how facebook just shut you down? You already forgave them?

    Unlike Miram, I still don’t really get facebook as more than a finder of people. I guess you can find someone (I do get that part) but I don’t get the value of a wall-to-wall conversation. Just too disjointed for me. I’d rather call them up if I got something to say — or send an email.

    I don’t get your concept of live web either. Hearing things in real time with no chance for reflection and no chance for context … and the noise ratio to value must be amazing. I really wonder how harmful it will be to attention spans and productivity.

    I like technology … but not in all instances. Call me a stick in the mud.

    Like

  33. Ironically your wife turns off comments and shows no trackbacks on this post. So much for conversation 🙂 with her.

    I get why she waits to see what you truly stick with. You do go on and on about liking this or that — like remember how facebook just shut you down? You already forgave them?

    Unlike Miram, I still don’t really get facebook as more than a finder of people. I guess you can find someone (I do get that part) but I don’t get the value of a wall-to-wall conversation. Just too disjointed for me. I’d rather call them up if I got something to say — or send an email.

    I don’t get your concept of live web either. Hearing things in real time with no chance for reflection and no chance for context … and the noise ratio to value must be amazing. I really wonder how harmful it will be to attention spans and productivity.

    I like technology … but not in all instances. Call me a stick in the mud.

    Like

  34. Pingback: Windows Update » Blog Archive » Hands on With Windows Live Writer - WindowsDailyNews.com

  35. I think Live writer is great but I tend to use the Blogger writer within the browser so I can get used to all the tools within the Blogger writer. So if I need to blog from somewhere else its easier!

    Otherwise this is the first time I have read this blog and I have to say its a good read! Hope to keep reading and commenting.

    Irfan Ahmed
    Political Blogger and Commentator

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  36. I think Live writer is great but I tend to use the Blogger writer within the browser so I can get used to all the tools within the Blogger writer. So if I need to blog from somewhere else its easier!

    Otherwise this is the first time I have read this blog and I have to say its a good read! Hope to keep reading and commenting.

    Irfan Ahmed
    Political Blogger and Commentator

    Like

  37. Anyone (Robert and company) know of a good alternative program for mac? I have used Qumana and I wasn’t very impressed with it. Are there any other alternatives out there?

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  38. Anyone (Robert and company) know of a good alternative program for mac? I have used Qumana and I wasn’t very impressed with it. Are there any other alternatives out there?

    Like

  39. Thanks for the review! I’ve been using Live Writer for a little over a month to post similar content to multiple ‘remote’ blogs. It makes it soooo much easier. If you work with multiple blogs like I do (I help manage blogs for corporate customers) live writer is pretty much essential if I want to finish my work by the end of the day. I would like to know if there is a comparable program for my mac. I don’t know what my problem is, but even if an app is the best thing since sliced bread, if it’s made by Microsoft I don’t want to use it. They’ve ruined their reputation in my book.

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  40. Thanks for the review! I’ve been using Live Writer for a little over a month to post similar content to multiple ‘remote’ blogs. It makes it soooo much easier. If you work with multiple blogs like I do (I help manage blogs for corporate customers) live writer is pretty much essential if I want to finish my work by the end of the day. I would like to know if there is a comparable program for my mac. I don’t know what my problem is, but even if an app is the best thing since sliced bread, if it’s made by Microsoft I don’t want to use it. They’ve ruined their reputation in my book.

    Like

  45. Pingback: Windows Live Writer 2009 - Marc LaFleur

  46. Count me in with the list of fans. I’ve been using Live Writer since Sean O’Driscoll mentioned it to me back in his Microsoft days. After we get some backend tweaks done, I hope that we can use Live Writer as the main publication tool for all of Dell’s blogs.

    The ease of use is the main reason. Folks can format text and images easily. It’s much simpler than the Community Server 2008 interface. That means more Dell folks will blog without my assistance. Woo hoo!

    Like

  47. Count me in with the list of fans. I’ve been using Live Writer since Sean O’Driscoll mentioned it to me back in his Microsoft days. After we get some backend tweaks done, I hope that we can use Live Writer as the main publication tool for all of Dell’s blogs.

    The ease of use is the main reason. Folks can format text and images easily. It’s much simpler than the Community Server 2008 interface. That means more Dell folks will blog without my assistance. Woo hoo!

    Like

  48. I cannot agree with you more Robert.
    I’ve been using Windows Live Writer for over 1.5 years, and always tell people how great this piece of free software from Microsoft is.
    How much is an evangelist consumer worth for a company…?

    D&G

    Like

  49. I cannot agree with you more Robert.
    I’ve been using Windows Live Writer for over 1.5 years, and always tell people how great this piece of free software from Microsoft is.
    How much is an evangelist consumer worth for a company…?

    D&G

    Like

  50. i was a die hard user of Windows Live Writer and that little software along with Outlook 2007 kept me from switching to Mac for a couple of months. now i’ve been working with a MacBook pro for over a month and I can say I found a perfect replacement for Outlook 2007: Mail for emails and NtNewsWire for Feeds.

    unfortunately, it was pretty hard to find a good replacement for WLW. I tried Mars Edit for a while but it’s not even close. No i’m using Ecto and I’m pretty happy with it. It;s the best offline blog editor for Mac out there. With Custom HTML Tags you can extend it’s capabilities. And the fact that is downloading all my posts for safe keeping makes it even better than Windows Live Writer.

    Of course, if there will be a Mac version of WLW, I would gladly use it. I still cannot believe it was done by Microsoft and it’s free. 🙂

    Like

  51. i was a die hard user of Windows Live Writer and that little software along with Outlook 2007 kept me from switching to Mac for a couple of months. now i’ve been working with a MacBook pro for over a month and I can say I found a perfect replacement for Outlook 2007: Mail for emails and NtNewsWire for Feeds.

    unfortunately, it was pretty hard to find a good replacement for WLW. I tried Mars Edit for a while but it’s not even close. No i’m using Ecto and I’m pretty happy with it. It;s the best offline blog editor for Mac out there. With Custom HTML Tags you can extend it’s capabilities. And the fact that is downloading all my posts for safe keeping makes it even better than Windows Live Writer.

    Of course, if there will be a Mac version of WLW, I would gladly use it. I still cannot believe it was done by Microsoft and it’s free. 🙂

    Like

  54. I have been using LW for about 6 months and love it. Off-line capability and instant integration with MOSS is great. My only wish is that it would handle pics better. Derezzes too much. There are options, but I want to upload the full deal.

    Like

  55. I have been using LW for about 6 months and love it. Off-line capability and instant integration with MOSS is great. My only wish is that it would handle pics better. Derezzes too much. There are options, but I want to upload the full deal.

    Like

  56. The latest version of LiveWriter is slick, I am so liking it. The formatting tools could use a bit of tweaking, however LW 2009 is definitely a great tool and keeps getting better. Has anyone else tried the Twitter plugin? Good stuff!

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  57. The latest version of LiveWriter is slick, I am so liking it. The formatting tools could use a bit of tweaking, however LW 2009 is definitely a great tool and keeps getting better. Has anyone else tried the Twitter plugin? Good stuff!

    Like

  58. Pingback: Donkblog : Anatomy of A Tech Pundits Blog Post
  59. Pingback: Two Geeks and a Blog :: Downloads Microsoft :: Windows Live Writer – Awesome Blogging Tool

  60. Allen Harkleroad,

    I’m on the Windows Live Writer team and am interested in your feedback. Can you elaborate on the tweaking that you would like to see in the formatting tools? Thanks!

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  61. Allen Harkleroad,

    I’m on the Windows Live Writer team and am interested in your feedback. Can you elaborate on the tweaking that you would like to see in the formatting tools? Thanks!

    Like

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