New Hotmail rolls out very slowly

Two weeks ago, Microsoft started rolling out the “Wave 4″ version of Windows Live Hotmail.

Like the other Windows Live Essentials “Wave 4″ versions, which entered beta last week, this new version promises several improvements over the 18-month-old “Wave 3.” Unlike the other Windows Live Essentials, Microsoft controls who gets the new version of Hotmail, and when they see it.

If you know many people using Hotmail, chances are good that some of them are working with the new version, while the majority are still plunking along with the same-old same-old. To make matters considerably more difficult for those of you who have to answer Hotmail questions, there’s no way you can knock on Microsoft’s door and ask to be put on the list for Wave 4. Depending on which Hotmail i.d. you use, you either run Wave 3 or Wave 4, and you’ll have to wait your turn to switch, like everybody else. Belonging to MSDN or TechNet doesn’t help one whit.

Yes, that means you’re flying blind while trying to answer questions for some Hotmail users. Might as well get used to it. With less than 1% of all Hotmail users converted to the new version at this moment, and the rollout progressing at a snail’s pace, there’s going to be a big between-the-versions blind spot. Microsoft’s Mike Shackwitz, writing on the Windows Live blog, advises that it’s going to take “several weeks” to get the new version of Hotmail rolled out to everyone.

That’s if everything goes according to plan.

 

The “elusive” Microsoft Office 2010 Starter Edition

Ed Bott of ZDNet blogs about the “elusive” Office Starter Edition 2010, which most people haven’t heard about. Microsoft has allowed OEMs to pre-install Office Starter Edition 2010 on brand new computers that have Windows 7.

This Starter edition of Office 2010 only comes with Excel and Word and comes with the programs basic features. However, the Starter edition does include some ads though the ads aren’t as bad as people may think they are.

Of course, if you want to remove the “ads” in the Starter edition or get advanced features of Excel & Word, you will have to purchase a full version of Microsoft Office 2010.

Fortunately, Office Starter 2010 never expires. You can use it as long as you own your computer.