Posting from Windows Live Writer
So Microsoft have decided to conquer the blogging-from-a-PC-application market by releasing the beta of Windows Live Writer.
Basically, the software is a glorified version of the venerable WordPad that’s been with us since Windows 3.1, updated with the 2007 style and with the main functionality of posting to a blog. In a first for Microsoft, they’ve made the tool work with blogging tools other than their own, and even this beta version works with an amazing number of apps, although more support is planned for future releases. The application mainly works using XML-RPC and other such interfacing standards, which means that its support can be extended.
Set-up is very easy, and all you really need to do is to enter the URL of your blog, plus a username and password. The software works out most of the rest itself, and only asks you if it needs further information (in my case, it asked for Movable Type’s XML-RPC URL, which is easy to work out as it offers the placeholders). You can also provide some FTP details if you want it to use those to upload your pictures, otherwise it just uploads it to your weblog app, which then stores it somewhere or another.
The main window contains a writing pane with all the usual rich-text editing tools, plus a spelling checker, which is a must for all us blogging types! There’s even a function to insert pictures and maps from Windows Live Maps. The editor saves drafts just in case that all-important post goes missing :)
After posting your entry, you can have a look at it on your weblog, and if the software supports it, the writing pane itself adapts to show your post in your blog’s style, even as you’re typing it, which is a nice touch.
The interface itself needs a little tweaking here and there and maybe some touch-ups, but overall, it’s a very nice version 1.0 app from the Windows Live people. Well done Microsoft!
PS. Oh, and if you were wondering, this post itself was written and posted using Windows Live Writer. See how easy it is? If you want more information, or to download it and try it out for yourself, visit the Windows Live Writer Zone.