mynetx: Technogran, it is nice to welcome you as my guest! Please tell me a bit about yourself. How is your life involved with Windows Live?

Technogran: Thank you very much mynetx, it’s nice of you to invite me! I am very flattered to be asked, especially following others such as Angus!
I am on Windows Live and also use all of the Live Essentials Suite of programs on my desktop.

mynetx: Since when are you using Live? Tell me a bit about your history.

Technogran: Oh, I have been using all of the Windows Live applications and also the site itself since it was first thought of, although it doesn’t show that via my Space because I kept deleting it and starting from scratch. When the applications began appearing, they were all in beta, but I downloaded and tested them, and I loved them all.

mynetx: Do you think the Windows Live team cares for their users’ demands? Why?

Technogran: Tricky one this to answer, but I will be as frank as possible. I think that like a lot of Microsoft, the Live teams tend to listen to the wrong users. They take notice of the feedback from the more able user, such as the MVP’s, their ‘in-house’ users, and the more technically able, and the more ‘ordinary’ users views don’t tend to get heard. Microsoft isn’t alone in this, I hasten to add, lots of ordinary users just don’t know how to get their views across, because they are not as computer savvy as the more proficient user is. I am neither. I’m a sort of in-between user if you like, an ordinary user, but capable of making my views known on behalf of the ‘little everyday user’.

mynetx: You like posting tips and tricks in your Space using Live Writer. Do you think the software does its job correctly? Why did you choose Writer?

Technogran: LOL. What else is there? I love Writer, and in my opinion, Microsoft should be shouting from the rooftops about it! I have done my homework and tried to find an equivalent program that does everything that Writer does, and come up with zilch, so I consider it unique and for blogging (which let’s face it, every man, woman and their dog does these days) it’s a must have. I also like it because it’s on my desktop. I am a desktop person, that’s where I spend most of my computer time, and I love the way I can start a post, change it, save it to draft, and work on it at my leisure, only posting it when I feel it’s perfect.

mynetx: Any tip about Writer that you want to share with us?

Technogran: Hmm. Hard one because Brandon has been doing some great tips for Writer lately. My tip to anyone using it (because it annoys me more than anything that more users don’t make use of it) is to use the Margins feature to put a gap between a picture and their text. It tends to look so unsightly when the text ‘butts’ up to the edge of a photo or picture, and it’s so easy to do!

mynetx: Within the next five years, where could you picture Windows Live?

Technogran: I think it all depends on where the Live Teams want to take it, and which direction. There does seem to be a ‘mis-match’ between how they view Windows Live and how the majority of users view it, as was ably illustrated after the Wave 3 updates. Lots of users saw Windows Live first and foremost as a blogging platform and site which then produced a ‘blogging’ community, but it seems that the teams don’t quite see it as such, and to be honest, have never ever referred to it as such.

mynetx: Please provide two positive and negative comments about any outstanding Windows Live product.

Technogran: Hmm, you ask some difficult questions mynetx! Let me see…
Positives. Windows Live Mail, its ability to set up your e-mail accounts quickly and easily. The way it can fetch down all your e-mails, RSS feeds, and Newsgroups all to one place! Love it.
Negatives. Live Calendar. Wish it had incorporated into it a ‘to-do’ feature. I’m not too keen on having all those different calendars either. And Live Photo Gallery, wish it let me ‘geo-tag’ my pics.

mynetx: Do you run Windows Live Mail 24/7? Do you have some kind of a routine with Mail and the other parts of Windows Live?

Technogran: Yes I do. Windows Live Mail is the first program I open in a morning to check my e-mails, then I check all my RSS feeds and read them all. Also most of the newsgroups (about Windows Live natch). Obviously I only open Gallery if I am doing something with my photos, and Writer is open when I am constructing a blog post.

mynetx: Use your fantasy: how do you think Mail will look like within the next five years? What new features could it present?

Technogran: Hmm. Again a toughie because I think a lot will hinge on Google Wave, and whether or not us ‘ordinary users’ take to that or not. Mail has been around for a long time without really changing its format, and it IS based on the letters arriving on your doorstep. IF Google Wave does take off, especially with the ordinary user, then it’s ‘all change’ as they say, and Mail as we all know it will wither and die. It all changes so quickly these days, and change is speeding up, so who knows, but obviously as we have all seen with Windows XP and IE6, there are loads and loads of users who will resist change to the end, no matter how good the replacement is!

mynetx: Comparing these ideas with Mail’s current features, which of these might be added in the next release, Wave 4?

Technogran: Well, we know that Calendar is getting Alerts added—and hopefully for Gran, reminders or even better ‘pop up on your taskbar’ to-do’s. (to aid lousy memories! You’ll all get there some day!) I think the team will want to keep the clean interface, and I know that I am one of its fans, though many don’t like it and think it looks ‘washed out’. I would personally LOVE to see the return of Active Search which was in the old incarnation of Windows Live Mail when it was better known as Windows Live Mail Desktop (and was a pig to type each time you mentioned it!). I loved it but again, lots didn’t and it was eventually removed from the completed product, despite the fact that the team made it ‘choosable’.

mynetx: Windows Live Movie Maker—does its release, only some 24 hours ago, contain any surprises? What do you feel when thinking about it?

Technogran: I love the way the guys were brave enough to take Movie Maker (which was already well liked) and just begin again from scratch. I also love the fact that their new ideas all hinge around making Movie Maker easier to use for a newbie! This is an attitude that this Gran is all for, then everyone benefits! Sure if you are more technically able, there is all the features that you want, but for anyone who has never used a Movie making application before, I applaud their use of the ‘Ribbon’ interface, lovely large easy to see icons, etc. Bet you it won’t be long before we see the video out of a seven year old who has single handedly created a movie with his/her pictures! (Mind you, less of the youngsters, they should show one of a 80 year old Granny or Granddad using their apps as well!)

mynetx: Nice that you already tried the new version of Movie Maker and that you blogged about it.
—Are you satisfied with the Windows Live services that are provided to you? Why?

Technogran: Yes I am. However, I wish their was an easier way to give feedback, and to get feedback back. When the Essentials programs were first in beta all those years ago, I can remember conversing with the teams responsible for all of them via e-mail! Yes it’s true! And you really felt that your feedback was actually not only being read, but also being acted upon. I know it can be time consuming to sift through, but it just makes users feel closer to contributing to a program or application.

mynetx: What is your favorite feature in Photo Gallery?

Technogran: The fact it’s free! LOL. No, that’s difficult because I love all of it. As different features have been added over the course of time, it has become a really powerful photo manipulation program, and I just hope that this continues in the future. I love using the Panoramic Photo feature for example, I love how easy it is to edit your pictures and improve them as well. I would love it if Photosynth and DeepZoomPix were also added as well. That would make Photo Gallery really one of the most awesome free photo programs out there (although it already is in my book!).

mynetx: Ever heard of Live Mesh? What was your first impression of it? Could it be a new diverse method of file sharing among peers, or could it improve the current system at hand?

Technogran: Yes I am beta testing Live Mesh and have it on my computer at all times. Trouble is, I don’t really have any other computer to sync with, but I tend to use it to allow my eldest son to access my files that I need to share with him. I have also used it with a few others who I needed to see a video for example.

mynetx: Do you wish one of the Live Services/Essentials would have a feature that a third-party service/software already has?

Technogran: Yes! I wish Windows Live Mail had a reminder feature such as the one for Thunderbird/Firefox called Reminderfox! I love that program, and found it almost indispensable but no one has ever made one similar for IE or Live Mail. Drat!

mynetx: What is your intention behind talking with everyday users in your section “Living with Live”? What inspires you?

Technogran: Why the newbies of course! It has always annoyed me that we ‘ordinary users’ don’t get heard. Especially this applies to what has become known as ‘silver surfers’ meaning us users who are now retired and now beginning to get to grips with using computers for the very first time. All of the coders, engineers, and those who work in Information Technology as a whole tend to forget that we didn’t have computers at school, no one taught us how to use them, we don’t know you can ‘right click’ to find another menu list, we are of a different mindset and age where we have always used pen and paper, and full words, not all this ‘messenger speak’ that the younger end use today! (I have to often ask my grandchildren to interpret most of what they send in a messenger conversation! In fact my messages usually consist of ‘what does that mean?’) So getting back to your question about what inspires me, it’s that someone has to try and help those users in an easy to understand manner, and as it’s not all that long ago since I was in that position of not knowing anything about using a computer, it’s still all pretty fresh in my mind. Besides, they might listen more to someone who is just an ordinary user like themselves. My ‘how-to’s’ on the Clubhouse are often posted in response to someone on my Network having trouble with either the Windows Live site OR one of the desktop applications.
When Wave 3 was launched I was at my busiest, trying to do posts to help users find their friends, or find their Space etc.

mynetx: Are you working on any project related to Windows Live currently?

Technogran: Not at the moment, although it’s the ‘lull before the storm’ of course, as we all wait for the Wave 4 updates to arrive. I shall most likely be glued to the keyboard night and day when all that occurs as users post up with ‘can’t find this’ or ‘can’t find that’. I would rather do a post to help than give an answer in a forum, simply because you can illustrate the steps to take with pictures and it’s easier then for a user to follow. Also they can always print it out to follow it as well. It’s time consuming doing them, as I like to get my ‘how-to’s’ just right, and make them as easy as possible, but I love doing it and being helpful to other users on here. After all, the last thing we want is users getting so frustrated that they either don’t bother joining and using Windows Live or they just give up because it’s all too much trouble.

mynetx: Technogran, seeing Windows Live from your point of view was very interesting. Thank you for sharing this all with us!

Technogran: No problem!

You liked this interview?

Technogran and me have started a cooperation—look forward to regular rant conversations about the most recent news and happenings in the world of Windows Live!

More about Technogran

• Follow her on Twitter
• Read her Windows Live Space

mynetx: Nice that you are taking some time to talk with me about “Windows Live and You” despite your packed schedule…

For a start, it would be good if you could introduce yourself and your connection to Windows Live.

Frank Mänz: At work, I use Windows Live as a Product Manager, while at home, I use it for communicating with my friends and family. You could say my life revolves around Windows Live.

mynetx: How long has it been since you started working with Windows Live? Tell me a bit about your history.

Frank Mänz: Since forever—my beginning with Windows Live was when the first Microsoft Messenger was launched 10 years ago; to be honest, I don’t know if it were called MSN Messenger at that time; then MSN Communities and MSN Chat. Just as Microsoft introduced “Windows Live” as a brand, I watched it as an outsider while working on the competition.

mynetx: Competition?

Frank Mänz: WEB.de / GMX for 1.5 years—

mynetx: And how was United Internet for you, compared to Microsoft?

Frank Mänz: It was an interesting experience.

However, Microsoft offers an essentially more interesting perspective with Windows Live, its products, and its services—for a Product Manager and, of course, for the users.

mynetx: How did you become responsible for the German market as a Product Manager for Windows Live Services?

Frank Mänz: I was asked if I wanted to do that.

mynetx: Sounds like a dream come true—?

Frank Mänz: That is a sure thing! Back then, that is, about two years ago, I was excited about Windows Live even as an “outer.” As new products were announced, the services were becoming used growingly. You want to be part of that. Just what has changed in Hotmail over the last two years is … great!

mynetx: That’s true—much has changed.

Frank Mänz: …and it’s to be continued!

mynetx: Let’s talk a bit about your personal habits. Messenger is running permanently, isn’t it? Maybe you’ve got some sort of a personal routine with Windows Live?

Frank Mänz: Yep, starting Messenger, checking e-mails; moreover, Messenger is running more or less constantly due to my work.

At home, I use Messenger very directly. Subsequently, I am not “available” lastingly as my computer only runs when I really need it, Wireless is merely switched on also when needed.

Now, I am always posting videos of my little daughter in SkyDrive. Some members of the family are currently in France and Canada and SkyDrive is an easy way of keeping them up-to-date.

mynetx:

What is your favorite feature in Messenger?

Frank Mänz: That depends: Chatting with everyone, viewing photos with my parents, sending nudges and emoticons to irritate my brother, view webcam with friends; but essentially Messenger is for chatting.

mynetx: And which is the function you like most in the other Windows Live services/programs?

Frank Mänz: My favorite feature, and that’s new for all users, is “POP aggregation”, meaning to “Send and receive mail from other e-mail accounts” in Hotmail. Now I can check my WEB.de and GMX account online in Hotmail—everything is in one place in Hotmail with unlimited storage. I find it great, so I set that up for all my friends who have problems with their 13 MB Freemail storage.

Another great thing is the address merger in Hotmail. Here, contacts’ data are compared and appear similar once merged.

Furthermore, I find the “full-screen” Diashow in Windows Live Photos to be great > it is fun to present your photos online this way.

mynetx: Got to check that out as well!

Frank Mänz: The next great thing is that I can link several Windows Live accounts with each other. That is, you can sign in with account A and switch directly to account B, by just clicking on your name or icon top-right in Hotmail or Photos and then click “Link with other accounts”.

mynetx: Yes, linking is a good solution that I myself use as well.

Frank Mänz: It is fantastic that I also can use Windows Live on my own domain. Just check out domains.live.com, it is not that easy but it works.

mynetx: Since Google Apps can only manage up to 50 users for free, Windows Live Admin Center has become more interesting…

Frank Mänz: Yes, I can create 500 accounts on my own domain for free, all with unlimited e-mail storage etc.

Photo Gallery > Panorama Photos: I find that great too. Furthermore, I like the beta products very much: e.g. Live Mesh, or DeepZoomPix or Photosynth. You have to check them out in any case—they are fun!

mynetx: Live Mesh was Microsoft’s pioneer and the first visible result of the “Web 3.0”, so to say, Cloud Computing… is this the future technique?

Frank Mänz: You could say so; I do not like “Web 3.0” and such phrases very much. I think that such words do not mean anything to millions of users. The focus must be on the usage and not on the catchphrases.

mynetx: That’s right.

If Messenger is so present in your daily life, maybe you have a tip that not everybody knows about?

Frank Mänz: Yes, because it is fresh: You can now invite contacts from other “networks,” like Facebook, to Messenger. In Messenger, click on the icon “Add contact or group,” right next to the search box, and then choose “Add people from other services.” —Or just try it out at http://profile.live.com/connect/?partner=Messenger .

mynetx: Tell me about a function you fail to spot most in Messenger.

Frank Mänz: Travel using Messenger > Send myself through Messenger…

mynetx: How could that work?

Frank Mänz: See! Messenger has what it should have—some details, just for new users, are missing—e.g. import features for contacts from other networks, but we are working on it right now.

And what is next to come: Choose my own sign-in sound. That is, how it sounds for my contacts when I sign in.

mynetx: Was that not part of the first Messenger 9 beta?

Frank Mänz: Yes.

mynetx: Do you know why it has been removed?

Frank Mänz: Application complexity—the team needed more time.

mynetx: “And what is going to come then”, you say—are the Signature sign-in sounds coming back?

Frank Mänz: I hope so…

mynetx: According to your personal opinion, what will the Windows Live Team be adding to Wave 4, the next version of the Windows Live suite?

Frank Mänz: In any case, the sharing and sync scenario, which is still being offered in different products now, is going to be combined. Starting applications directly from the Web (cloud computing) as well as performance and new features will play a role.

mynetx: Sounds interesting… do we have to wait long before a new beta arrives? It’s very silent at the moment.

Frank Mänz: Sit back, relax and enjoy summer, sunshine and vacations.

mynetx: And finally: Which Live-related projects are you working on currently?

Frank Mänz: New version of the Messenger Online Treff, and an integration of Messenger in MSN.

mynetx: We are looking forward to that! Thank you for taking so much time talking with me.

Frank Mänz: You’re welcome, and I thank you as well.

• Windows Live Blog (German blog)
  
• Mein Messenger (German Messenger portal)
  
• Windows Live Messenger Webservices (German)
  

mynetx: Schön, dass du dir ein wenig Zeit nimmst um mit mir über „Windows Live und Du“ zu sprechen, trotz deines engen Zeitplans…

Als erstes wäre es gut, wenn du dich und deine Verbindung zu Windows Live kurz vorstellen könntest.

Frank Mänz: Hauptberuflich beschäftige ich mich mit Windows Live als Produkt-Manager – privat, um mit meinen Freunden und der Familie zu kommunizieren. Mein Leben ist quasi Windows Live

mynetx: Seit wann hast du mit Windows Live zu tun? Erzähl mir doch ein wenig über deine Vergangenheit diesbezüglich.

Frank Mänz: Immer – mein Einstieg zu Windows Live war der Launch des ersten Microsoft Messenger vor 10 Jahren; ich weiß ehrlich gesagt nicht ob er damals schon MSN Messenger hieß; danach MSN Communities, MSN Chat. Gerade in dem Moment, als „Windows Live“ von Microsoft als Marke eingeführt wurde, war ich leider nur von „außen“ dabei und bei der Konkurrenz beschäftigt.

mynetx: Konkurrenz?

Frank Mänz: WEB.de / GMX für 1,5 Jahre -

mynetx: Und wie hat dir United Internet im Vergleich zu Microsoft gefallen?

Frank Mänz: Interessante Erfahrung

Aber Microsoft bietet mit Windows Live und den Produkten und Diensten eine wesentlich interessantere Perspektive – als Produktmanager und natürlich für die Nutzer.

mynetx: Wie kamst du zu der Aufgabe, als Produktmanager für Windows Live-Dienste für den deutschen Markt verantwortlich zu sein?

Frank Mänz: Ich wurde gefragt, ob ich das machen will.

mynetx: Hört sich ja wie ein Traum-Einstieg an – ?

Frank Mänz: Ja klar, ich fand damals, also vor gut 2 Jahren, als „Außenstehender“ Windows Live schon sehr spannend. Neue Produkte wurden angekündigt, die Dienste wurden immer mehr genutzt. Da will man dabei sein. Allein was sich bei Hotmail innerhalb der letzten 2 Jahre gemacht hat – fantastisch!

mynetx: Das ist wahr – getan hat sich einiges.

Frank Mänz: …und es geht ja weiter!

mynetx: Reden wir ein wenig über deine persönlichen Gewohnheiten. Messenger läuft sicher permanent, oder? Vielleicht hast du eine Art tägliche Routine mit Windows Live.

Frank Mänz: Ja, Messenger starten, Mails checken; dann läuft Messenger mehr oder weniger immer beruflich eh immer.

Privat benutze ich Messenger sehr gezielt. Da bin ich nicht ständig „online“, da mein Rechner nur läuft wenn ich ihn wirklich brauche, WLAN auch nur wenn ich es brauche.

Zur Zeit poste ich immer Videos meiner kleinen Tochter in SkyDrive. Teile der Familie sind zurzeit in Frankreich und Kanada und die bleiben dann auf dem Laufenden.

mynetx:

Welches ist deine Lieblings-Funktion in Messenger?

Frank Mänz: Kommt drauf an: Chatten mit allen, Fotos anschauen mit meinen Eltern, Rings und Animoticons verschicken um meinen Bruder zu nerven, Webcam mit Freunden; aber im Grunde ist Messenger chatten.

mynetx: Und welche Funktion magst du am meisten in den restlichen Windows Live-Diensten/Programmen?

Frank Mänz: Mein Lieblingsfeature, und das ist für alle Nutzer seit kurzem neu, ist „POP-Aggregation“ also „E-Mails von anderen E-Mail-Konten aus senden und empfangen“ in Hotmail. Jetzt kann ich meinen WEB.de und GMX Account in Hotmail online abrufen – alles an einem Platz in Hotmail mit unbegrenzten Speicher. Finde ich klasse, richte das auch allen Freunden ein die mit ihren 13 MB Freemail-Speicher Probleme haben.

Ansonsten was auch super ist ist in Hotmail der Adressenabgleich. Hier werden Kontaktdaten verglichen und gleiche zusammengeführt.

Außerdem finde ich die „Fullscreen“ Diashow in Windows Live Fotos super > macht echt Spass so online seine Bilder zu präsentieren.

mynetx: Muss ich auch mal ausprobieren

Frank Mänz: Ebenfalls toll ist, dass ich mehrere Windows Live Accounts miteinander verknüpfen kann. Also ich logge mich mit Adresse A ein und kann dann direkt auf Adresse B wechseln. Einfach mal rechts oben in Hotmail oder Fotos auf seinen Namen oder Icon klicken und dann „Mit einem anderen Konto verknüpfen“ klicken.

mynetx: Ja, das Verknüpfen ist eine gute Lösung, die ich selbst auch nutze.

Frank Mänz: Fantastisch ist auch, dass ich Windows Live auf meiner eigenen Domain nutzen kann. Einfach auf domains.live.com ausprobieren ist nicht ganz so einfach aber es geht.

mynetx: Seit Google Apps nur mehr maximal 50 Benutzer kostenlos verwalten kann, hat Windows Live Admin Center auch an Reiz zugenommen…

Frank Mänz: Ja, ich kann auf meiner eigenen Domain 500 Accounts kostenlos anlegen, alle mit unbegrenztem Email-Speicher usw.

Fotogalerie > Panoramafotos: Finde ich auch klasse. Ansonsten mag ich sehr die Produkte, die noch in der Beta sind: z.B. Live Mesh, oder DeepZoomPix oder Photosynth. Die muss man unbedingt ausprobieren – die machen richtig Spaß!

mynetx: Live Mesh war bei Microsoft der Vorreiter und das erste sichtbare Ergebnis des „Web 3.0“, wenn man so will, Could Computing… ist diese Technik die Zukunft?

Frank Mänz: Wenn man so will ja, ich halte nicht allzuviel von Web 3.0 und solchen Begriffen. Ich denke, dass Millionen von Nutzern nicht viel damit anfangen können. Der Nutzen muss im Vordergrund stehen, nicht die Buzzwords.

mynetx: Das stimmt.

Wenn Messenger so in deinem Alltag präsent ist, hast du vielleicht einen Tipp, den nicht jeder kennt?

Frank Mänz: Ja weil neu: Man kann Kontakte aus anderen „Netzwerken“ z.B. Facebook in Messenger einladen. Man klickt im Messenger auf das „Kontakt oder Gruppe hinzufügen“-Icon, rechts neben dem Suchfeld, und wählt dann „Personen aus anderen Diensten hinzufügen“. – Oder gleich ausprobieren unter http://profile.live.com/connect/?partner=Messenger .

mynetx: Nenne mir eine Funktion, die du am meisten in Messenger vermisst.

Frank Mänz: Reisen mit dem Messenger > Mich selbst per Messenger verschicken…

mynetx: Wie soll das gehen?

Frank Mänz: Eben! Ansonsten hat der Messenger, was er braucht – es fehlen ein paar Details gerade für neue Nutzer – z.B. bessere Importfunktionen für Kontakte aus anderen Netzwerken, aber da sind wir ja jetzt dran.

Und was dann kommen wird ist: Meinen eigenen Anmeldesound bestimmen. Also wie klingt es bei meinen Kontakten, wenn ich mich anmelde.

mynetx: War das nicht Teil der ersten Beta von Messenger 9?

Frank Mänz: Ja.

mynetx: Weißt du, weshalb es entfernt wurde?

Frank Mänz: Komplexität der Anwendung – das Team brauchte mehr Zeit.

mynetx: „und was dann kommen wird“, sagst du – kommen die individellen Anmeldesounds zurück?

Frank Mänz: I hope so…

mynetx: Was denkst du persönlich, wird das Windows Live-Team für Wave 4, die nächste Version der Windows Live-Suite, in Angriff nehmen?

Frank Mänz: Auf jeden Fall wird das Sharing und Sync-Szenario, was im Moment noch auf unterschiedlichen Produkten angeboten wird, zusammengefasst. Anwendungen direkt im Internet starten wird eine Rolle spielen (Cloud Computing) und ansonsten Performance und neue Features.

mynetx: Klingt interessant… müssen wir noch lange auf eine neue Beta warten? Es ist momentan sehr still.

Frank Mänz: Sommer Sonne Ferien kann man jetzt in Ruhe genießen.

mynetx: Und zum Schluss: An welchem Live-bezogenen Projekt arbeitest du momentan?

Frank Mänz: Neue Version des Messenger Online Treff, und eine Integration von Messenger in MSN.

mynetx: Da können wir ja gespannt sein! Ich darf mich bei dir bedanken dass du dir soviel Zeit genommen hast.

Frank Mänz: Bitte gerne und ich bedanke mich.

• Windows Live Blog
• Mein Messenger
• Windows Live Messenger Webservices