What I Recommend
Blogs
Liveside | News about the Windows Live services and associated products
WinSuperSite | A blog all about Microsoft and what it offers by Paul Thurott
IStartedSomthing | A blog all about Microsoft and what it offers by Long Zheng
WithinWindows | A blog aimed at devs about Microsoft by Rafael Rivera
Neowin | Lots of tech news and articles mostly about Microsoft
All About Microsoft | A blog quite literally all about Microsoft by Mary Jo Folly
Microsoft Report | A blog with a range of information about Microsoft by Ed Bott
I have compiled a few Twitter Lists for people who are intested in following news from Microsoft or what other bloggers are tweeting about Microsoft.
Software
Windows 7 | Information
I wont bother to give an outline for Windows as I expect nearly everyone knows. I use it because for me it is the best OS out there.
Office 2010 RC | Information | Download
Perhaps Microsoft’s best known suite after Windows and for me its the best suite of applications for publishing a variety of documents and presentational media.
Windows Live | Information | Download
A brilliant set of programs which I use all of, some of which are unrivaled in their quality and functions, which tie in nicely with the Windows Live online services.
Zune Software for PC | Information | Download
I used to use Windows Media player but have now found the Zune software to be a much more enjoyable media playback and organisation experience.
Internet Explorer 8 | Information | Download
The browser war is a very savage one with competition being very tough but for me IE8 works as well as any of the competition. I don’t need the plugins offered by other ones and I see no difference in speed between any of them despite differing claims made by all the browser makers.
Microsoft Security Essentials | Information | Download
One of the simpliest antivirus clients yet it is one of the best and its free.
Online Services
Windows Live | Information | Sign Up
A vast range of online services which when used together offer a brilliant experience of interconnectivity between services. Another great aspect of Windows Live is the ability to connect your other online profiles such as Facebook and Flickr all into one place, making life much simpler.
Live Mesh | Information
A product which is still in beta but great non the less which allows syncing of files and folders across all your computer, macs, mobiles and the cloud. It also has a good remote desktop facility.
Bing | Information | Use
Bing is Microsoft’s search or decision engine which I find gives the results to my searches in a much nicer, cleaner and easier to navigate way than other search engines.
Products
Windows Mobile | Information
I use Windows Mobile 6.5 on my HTC HD2 and its a great mobile experience even if the competition has a few extra features. I am hoping that Windows Mobile 7 will be a real game changer and make me a proud Windows Mobile user.
Zune | Information
I won a 8GB Zune in a competition on Twitter and no longer know how I coped without it, the device and accompanying PC software is very very good and from my experience with other devices and software its far superior to the alternatives.
Things I have yet to use fully
Xbox | Information
I do not own an Xbox as I not a huge gamer but have played on them quite a bit. I am feeling more and more tempted to get an Xbox now that it is possible to stream HD movies instantly to your TV using Zune.
