Microsoft Live for your Domain
After the huge success of Google's Apps for your Domain, Microsoft follows. The company, whose CEO (Steve I-Am-Not-A-Monkey Ballmer) recently said that it has nothing to fear from Google, as 'Google is just a search engine' (hahaha), is late, as always. As I said a couple of days back, the market for online domain applications is dominated by two players : Google and Zoho, both strong and competitive players in the field. I have no idea why microsoft even bothers, but I think it is merely to be able to say they're a player too.
The suite of applications is somewhat disappointing compared to others. You only get hotmail (duh), something called Family Safety and, of course, a calendar, contacts and image galleries.
When registering, you have to purchase a domain or either transfer one, which is similar to what Google offers. I tried one of the partnersites for a domain, and was able to select vistasucks.eu, which surprised me. I didn't actually get it, obviously.
All in all, I don't think Microsoft Live for your domain (nice stolen name, BTW) is a strong competitor, but I don't think it is intended to be.
Microsoft Live for your Domain is here. (http://partner.live.com/communitybuilder/)
By: S.M. Schrama Source
