Microsoft to Deliver Hosted Windows, Office

SAN FRANCISCO — Microsoft announced Windows Live and Office Live, advertising-supported, online versions of its market-dominant operating system and desktop productivity software.

While industry watchers waited to see what would come from the recently announced alliance of Google and Sun Microsystems, Microsoft unveiled Web-based versions of its own productivity applications. They include free, ad-supported services for both consumers and small businesses.

At a briefing for press and analysts, Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates said that every five years, the company lays down its chips on what it hopes will become the next big thing. In 2000, it was the .NET Framework and Web services. Today, it’s a new concept Microsoft is calling “live software.”

Windows Live will include Windows Live Mail, an e-mail application based on asynchronous JavaScript and XML (AJAX), the programming architecture used in Google’s Gmail and Yahoo’s revamped offering.

Full article: internetnews.com