Windows Live Betas

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Windows Live Logo Windows Live Betas
Screenshot of Windows Live Betas
Windows Live Betas webpage
Developed by Microsoft
Genre Product lab
Website http://get.live.com/betas

Windows Live Betas (previously Windows Live Ideas) is a web site launched in November 2005 to promote the first Windows Live services, all of which remained in beta until some began to release final versions in the summer of 2006. The site includes links to try out the services, sign up for the betas, learn more about each service, and read team blogs.

The site also includes links to other "Live" offerings, initially featuring Xbox Live, Office Live, and Live Jobs. However, Office Live Workspace has been given its own box on the page, despite the fact that it is not technically a Windows Live service.

Contents

[edit] Beta Services

Screenshot of the previous Windows Live Ideas. Notice the Windows Live ID sign-in button on the top-right-hand corner of the page to allow Closed Beta Program access.
Screenshot of the previous Windows Live Ideas. Notice the Windows Live ID sign-in button on the top-right-hand corner of the page to allow Closed Beta Program access.

There are three ways Microsoft can distribute its Windows Live beta products:

  • Managed Beta Program - distributed via Microsoft Connect. It feature high levels of interaction with the product teams and may provide private newsgroup access. Usually the number of beta testers is highly restricted.
  • Closed Beta Program - distributed via the previous Windows Live Ideas. It require beta testers to sign-in with their authorised Windows Live ID account to the website before accessing or downloading the beta products. This allows more users to participate than the Managed Beta Program. Products with Managed Beta Program typically get expanded to become Closed Beta Program, alternatively products can go straight into a Closed Beta Program (such as the Windows Live TV beta).
  • Open Beta Program - distributed via Windows Live Betas. There are basically none or very few restrictions placed on who can participate in testing the beta product. An example of a Windows Live beta service in this stage would be Windows Live Writer.

However as of April 12, 2007, Windows Live Ideas has become Windows Live Betas, causing the Closed Beta Program to be unavailable due to the inability to sign-in to the new website.

[edit] Windows Live beta services

 This article or section contains information about computer software currently in development.
The content may change as the software development progresses.

Current Windows Live beta services available on the website include:

[edit] Released Services

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

v • d • e
Windows Live
Web services
Live Search
Software applications
Software + Services
Developer services
Dev · Data · SDK · Tools
Mobile services
Microsoft Live Labs
Discontinued services
Windows Live Expo · Search Center · Shopping · TV · WiFi Center | Live Search Academic · Books (Publisher Program)
Languages