Windows Vista Forums

WIndows Live Essentials Beta Refresh but still a lot of work to do
  1. #1


    Sonic Guest

    WIndows Live Essentials Beta Refresh but still a lot of work to do

    In this Beta Refresh I don't see anything important new, just a couple of
    estethics touchs but the real important things to do are yet to be done (If
    you ever do them):

    1) Still ugly and old stationery themes, not a single good theme like in
    Apple Mail

    2) Still too few options for the photo mail, I can't really adjust photos to
    make a great composition like in Apple Mail

    3) No autodiscovery of addresses, phone numbers, names, e-mail etc. in the
    e-mail body, to easily add them in calendar, address book or to do list,
    always like Apple Mail

    4) Still no consistency between all the Windows Live apps both on and off
    line: Windows Live have some themes, Messenger have only few of them but not
    dynamics, Mail doesn't have them at all and Photogallery doesn't have themes
    or color schemes at all! Integration, integration where are you?

    5) Please! I understand you choosed to eliminate icons but a lot of people
    here have told you we don't like textual!
    It's not intuitive at all to use, you have to memorize all the position
    commands instead of identify them at first look.
    At least let us choose between plain text, text and icons or only icons, but
    don't decide for us!



    6) I would like to see offline reminders for the calendar, it will be LOTTA
    useful!


      My System SpecsSystem Spec

  2. #2


    R. C. White Guest

    Re: WIndows Live Essentials Beta Refresh but still a lot of work to do

    Hi, Sonic.

    I guess it all depends on how YOU use WLM versus how I use it. The things
    you mention are of little importance to me. (Except maybe for #5 and #6.)
    Since I never use Hotmail, and don't have multiple users on my computer or
    my own network, and have only POP3 accounts...

    For me, it's great that they’ve fixed at least four regressions that had
    been making WLM 0908 very clumsy to use.

    1. Next unread folder (Ctrl+J) works again! I have my mouse buttons
    programmed for Ctrl+J and Ctrl+U (Next unread message) and now I can
    navigate through all my mail and news without touching the keyboard, just
    like in OE/WM and earlier WLM builds.

    2. Spell-check works! I can Add words to the custom dictionary "on the
    fly", rather than having to use Notepad.

    3. The Folder list in Newsgroups is now right-aligned, like in WM, so
    that we can see the important part of the NG name, rather than the endless
    repetition of microsoft.public...

    4. Signatures work again, just like in OE/WM/earlier WLM.

    And they've added a few features that I had been clamoring for:

    5. There is now a Sync button on the Toolbar in Mail (and it has a
    drop-down menu). Saves only a single mouse-click, since we could use Tools
    | Sync before, but it's handy to have it there, just like on the Toolbar in
    News. (On the News toolbar, the name changed from Sync All to Sync
    Everything, but that doesn't bother me; it still syncs both Mail and News.)

    6. The Calendar works. I haven't used this much, but maybe I will now.

    I'm ambivalent about the new colors. I agree with the comments that the
    Subject (in the Message List) is more important than the From, especially in
    Mail, and should be bolded more noticeably. The

    That's not all the good and bad (from my perspective), but it will do for
    now. Overall, I like this new build a lot. ;<)

    RC
    --
    R. C. White, CPA
    San Marcos, TX
    rc@xxxxxx
    Microsoft Windows MVP
    (Running Windows Live Mail 2009 1202 in Win7 x64 6801)

    "Sonic" <Sonic@xxxxxx> wrote in message
    news:7A54A448-3A55-47EB-9D78-91EDD212DDA9@xxxxxx

    > In this Beta Refresh I don't see anything important new, just a couple of
    > estethics touchs but the real important things to do are yet to be done
    > (If
    > you ever do them):
    >
    > 1) Still ugly and old stationery themes, not a single good theme like in
    > Apple Mail
    >
    > 2) Still too few options for the photo mail, I can't really adjust photos
    > to
    > make a great composition like in Apple Mail
    >
    > 3) No autodiscovery of addresses, phone numbers, names, e-mail etc. in the
    > e-mail body, to easily add them in calendar, address book or to do list,
    > always like Apple Mail
    >
    > 4) Still no consistency between all the Windows Live apps both on and off
    > line: Windows Live have some themes, Messenger have only few of them but
    > not
    > dynamics, Mail doesn't have them at all and Photogallery doesn't have
    > themes
    > or color schemes at all! Integration, integration where are you?
    >
    > 5) Please! I understand you choosed to eliminate icons but a lot of people
    > here have told you we don't like textual!
    > It's not intuitive at all to use, you have to memorize all the position
    > commands instead of identify them at first look.
    > At least let us choose between plain text, text and icons or only icons,
    > but
    > don't decide for us!
    >
    > 6) I would like to see offline reminders for the calendar, it will be
    > LOTTA
    > useful!

      My System SpecsSystem Spec

  3. #3


    Sonic Guest

    Re: WIndows Live Essentials Beta Refresh but still a lot of work t


    Hi,
    no I don't think it's something subjective: apart if anyone use it or not,
    stationery IS ugly, old and unuseful and it might be done better. The same
    for photo mail. Also, consistency is a great issue in the interfaces matters
    and the lack of consistency across applications IS something wrong.

    Also, all the functions I said are really useful and help improve and fasten
    your workflow.
    It's not important if someone write 2 simple mails at day, because there are
    a lot other people that works with WLM and, for example, have the possibility
    to autodiscover addresses, phone numbers, mail etc. automatically in the body
    of a mail to flawlessly add them into address book etc. is REALLY helpful.


    "R. C. White" wrote:

    > Hi, Sonic.
    >
    > I guess it all depends on how YOU use WLM versus how I use it. The things
    > you mention are of little importance to me. (Except maybe for #5 and #6.)
    > Since I never use Hotmail, and don't have multiple users on my computer or
    > my own network, and have only POP3 accounts...
    >
    > For me, it's great that they’ve fixed at least four regressions that had
    > been making WLM 0908 very clumsy to use.
    >
    > 1. Next unread folder (Ctrl+J) works again! I have my mouse buttons
    > programmed for Ctrl+J and Ctrl+U (Next unread message) and now I can
    > navigate through all my mail and news without touching the keyboard, just
    > like in OE/WM and earlier WLM builds.
    >
    > 2. Spell-check works! I can Add words to the custom dictionary "on the
    > fly", rather than having to use Notepad.
    >
    > 3. The Folder list in Newsgroups is now right-aligned, like in WM, so
    > that we can see the important part of the NG name, rather than the endless
    > repetition of microsoft.public...
    >
    > 4. Signatures work again, just like in OE/WM/earlier WLM.
    >
    > And they've added a few features that I had been clamoring for:
    >
    > 5. There is now a Sync button on the Toolbar in Mail (and it has a
    > drop-down menu). Saves only a single mouse-click, since we could use Tools
    > | Sync before, but it's handy to have it there, just like on the Toolbar in
    > News. (On the News toolbar, the name changed from Sync All to Sync
    > Everything, but that doesn't bother me; it still syncs both Mail and News.)
    >
    > 6. The Calendar works. I haven't used this much, but maybe I will now.
    >
    > I'm ambivalent about the new colors. I agree with the comments that the
    > Subject (in the Message List) is more important than the From, especially in
    > Mail, and should be bolded more noticeably. The
    >
    > That's not all the good and bad (from my perspective), but it will do for
    > now. Overall, I like this new build a lot. ;<)
    >
    > RC
    > --
    > R. C. White, CPA
    > San Marcos, TX
    > rc@xxxxxx
    > Microsoft Windows MVP
    > (Running Windows Live Mail 2009 1202 in Win7 x64 6801)
    >
    > "Sonic" <Sonic@xxxxxx> wrote in message
    > news:7A54A448-3A55-47EB-9D78-91EDD212DDA9@xxxxxx

    > > In this Beta Refresh I don't see anything important new, just a couple of
    > > estethics touchs but the real important things to do are yet to be done
    > > (If
    > > you ever do them):
    > >
    > > 1) Still ugly and old stationery themes, not a single good theme like in
    > > Apple Mail
    > >
    > > 2) Still too few options for the photo mail, I can't really adjust photos
    > > to
    > > make a great composition like in Apple Mail
    > >
    > > 3) No autodiscovery of addresses, phone numbers, names, e-mail etc. in the
    > > e-mail body, to easily add them in calendar, address book or to do list,
    > > always like Apple Mail
    > >
    > > 4) Still no consistency between all the Windows Live apps both on and off
    > > line: Windows Live have some themes, Messenger have only few of them but
    > > not
    > > dynamics, Mail doesn't have them at all and Photogallery doesn't have
    > > themes
    > > or color schemes at all! Integration, integration where are you?
    > >
    > > 5) Please! I understand you choosed to eliminate icons but a lot of people
    > > here have told you we don't like textual!
    > > It's not intuitive at all to use, you have to memorize all the position
    > > commands instead of identify them at first look.
    > > At least let us choose between plain text, text and icons or only icons,
    > > but
    > > don't decide for us!
    > >
    > > 6) I would like to see offline reminders for the calendar, it will be
    > > LOTTA
    > > useful!
    >

      My System SpecsSystem Spec

  4. #4


    osu9400 Guest

    Re: WIndows Live Essentials Beta Refresh but still a lot of work to do

    you made some good points.

    #2: I think they've gone backwards with photomail. In the beta of the OLD
    version there much more options for borders and edges. The current ones are
    ugly and not elegant at all.
    #5: I've made this point before, but they took the time to hide the file
    menu. Then they essentially replaced it with another iconless toolbar. This
    move makes no sense. If they want to change the UI, then give us the
    ribbon!! ..and where are the menu tree icons?? stupid stupid stupid.




    "Sonic" <Sonic@xxxxxx> wrote in message
    news:7A54A448-3A55-47EB-9D78-91EDD212DDA9@xxxxxx

    > In this Beta Refresh I don't see anything important new, just a couple of
    > estethics touchs but the real important things to do are yet to be done
    > (If
    > you ever do them):
    >
    > 1) Still ugly and old stationery themes, not a single good theme like in
    > Apple Mail
    >
    > 2) Still too few options for the photo mail, I can't really adjust photos
    > to
    > make a great composition like in Apple Mail
    >
    > 3) No autodiscovery of addresses, phone numbers, names, e-mail etc. in the
    > e-mail body, to easily add them in calendar, address book or to do list,
    > always like Apple Mail
    >
    > 4) Still no consistency between all the Windows Live apps both on and off
    > line: Windows Live have some themes, Messenger have only few of them but
    > not
    > dynamics, Mail doesn't have them at all and Photogallery doesn't have
    > themes
    > or color schemes at all! Integration, integration where are you?
    >
    > 5) Please! I understand you choosed to eliminate icons but a lot of people
    > here have told you we don't like textual!
    > It's not intuitive at all to use, you have to memorize all the position
    > commands instead of identify them at first look.
    > At least let us choose between plain text, text and icons or only icons,
    > but
    > don't decide for us!
    >
    > 6) I would like to see offline reminders for the calendar, it will be
    > LOTTA
    > useful!
    >

      My System SpecsSystem Spec

  5. #5


    BChat Guest

    Re: WIndows Live Essentials Beta Refresh but still a lot of work to do

    I agree with the icon removal, especially since so many mentioned it after
    the last build. If they want to use the ribbon, like Office 2007, fine, at
    least there is some consistency. I think icons are easier/quicker to
    recognize than words. I am running WLM in Windows 7 64 bit build 6801, and
    it (WLM) looks "dead", or "anemic" at best, as someone else posted. Maybe
    I'll try it in Vista for awhile and see if it looks any better there. I'm
    afraid I cannot condone the direction WLM appears to be heading.



    "osu9400" <osu9400@xxxxxx> wrote in message
    news:#$qYRsGYJHA.652@xxxxxx
    you made some good points.

    #2: I think they've gone backwards with photomail. In the beta of the OLD
    version there much more options for borders and edges. The current ones are
    ugly and not elegant at all.
    #5: I've made this point before, but they took the time to hide the file
    menu. Then they essentially replaced it with another iconless toolbar. This
    move makes no sense. If they want to change the UI, then give us the
    ribbon!! ..and where are the menu tree icons?? stupid stupid stupid.




    "Sonic" <Sonic@xxxxxx> wrote in message
    news:7A54A448-3A55-47EB-9D78-91EDD212DDA9@xxxxxx

    > In this Beta Refresh I don't see anything important new, just a couple of
    > estethics touchs but the real important things to do are yet to be done
    > (If
    > you ever do them):
    >
    > 1) Still ugly and old stationery themes, not a single good theme like in
    > Apple Mail
    >
    > 2) Still too few options for the photo mail, I can't really adjust photos
    > to
    > make a great composition like in Apple Mail
    >
    > 3) No autodiscovery of addresses, phone numbers, names, e-mail etc. in the
    > e-mail body, to easily add them in calendar, address book or to do list,
    > always like Apple Mail
    >
    > 4) Still no consistency between all the Windows Live apps both on and off
    > line: Windows Live have some themes, Messenger have only few of them but
    > not
    > dynamics, Mail doesn't have them at all and Photogallery doesn't have
    > themes
    > or color schemes at all! Integration, integration where are you?
    >
    > 5) Please! I understand you choosed to eliminate icons but a lot of people
    > here have told you we don't like textual!
    > It's not intuitive at all to use, you have to memorize all the position
    > commands instead of identify them at first look.
    > At least let us choose between plain text, text and icons or only icons,
    > but
    > don't decide for us!
    >
    > 6) I would like to see offline reminders for the calendar, it will be
    > LOTTA
    > useful!
    >

      My System SpecsSystem Spec

  6. #6


    Ron Sommer Guest

    Re: WIndows Live Essentials Beta Refresh but still a lot of work t

    I don't see how stationery is important to most email.
    If the email is read as plain text, the stationery is never seen.
    --
    Ronald Sommer

    "Sonic" <Sonic@xxxxxx> wrote in message
    news:49776ED0-ABE6-458D-9DFA-E58A0E490C27@xxxxxx

    >
    > Hi,
    > no I don't think it's something subjective: apart if anyone use it or not,
    > stationery IS ugly, old and unuseful and it might be done better. The same
    > for photo mail. Also, consistency is a great issue in the interfaces
    > matters
    > and the lack of consistency across applications IS something wrong.
    >
    > Also, all the functions I said are really useful and help improve and
    > fasten
    > your workflow.
    > It's not important if someone write 2 simple mails at day, because there
    > are
    > a lot other people that works with WLM and, for example, have the
    > possibility
    > to autodiscover addresses, phone numbers, mail etc. automatically in the
    > body
    > of a mail to flawlessly add them into address book etc. is REALLY helpful.
    >
    >
    > "R. C. White" wrote:
    >

    >> Hi, Sonic.
    >>
    >> I guess it all depends on how YOU use WLM versus how I use it. The
    >> things
    >> you mention are of little importance to me. (Except maybe for #5 and
    >> #6.)
    >> Since I never use Hotmail, and don't have multiple users on my computer
    >> or
    >> my own network, and have only POP3 accounts...
    >>
    >> For me, it's great that they’ve fixed at least four regressions that had
    >> been making WLM 0908 very clumsy to use.
    >>
    >> 1. Next unread folder (Ctrl+J) works again! I have my mouse buttons
    >> programmed for Ctrl+J and Ctrl+U (Next unread message) and now I can
    >> navigate through all my mail and news without touching the keyboard, just
    >> like in OE/WM and earlier WLM builds.
    >>
    >> 2. Spell-check works! I can Add words to the custom dictionary "on
    >> the
    >> fly", rather than having to use Notepad.
    >>
    >> 3. The Folder list in Newsgroups is now right-aligned, like in WM, so
    >> that we can see the important part of the NG name, rather than the
    >> endless
    >> repetition of microsoft.public...
    >>
    >> 4. Signatures work again, just like in OE/WM/earlier WLM.
    >>
    >> And they've added a few features that I had been clamoring for:
    >>
    >> 5. There is now a Sync button on the Toolbar in Mail (and it has a
    >> drop-down menu). Saves only a single mouse-click, since we could use
    >> Tools
    >> | Sync before, but it's handy to have it there, just like on the Toolbar
    >> in
    >> News. (On the News toolbar, the name changed from Sync All to Sync
    >> Everything, but that doesn't bother me; it still syncs both Mail and
    >> News.)
    >>
    >> 6. The Calendar works. I haven't used this much, but maybe I will
    >> now.
    >>
    >> I'm ambivalent about the new colors. I agree with the comments that the
    >> Subject (in the Message List) is more important than the From, especially
    >> in
    >> Mail, and should be bolded more noticeably. The
    >>
    >> That's not all the good and bad (from my perspective), but it will do for
    >> now. Overall, I like this new build a lot. ;<)
    >>
    >> RC
    >> --
    >> R. C. White, CPA
    >> San Marcos, TX
    >> rc@xxxxxx
    >> Microsoft Windows MVP
    >> (Running Windows Live Mail 2009 1202 in Win7 x64 6801)
    >>
    >> "Sonic" <Sonic@xxxxxx> wrote in message
    >> news:7A54A448-3A55-47EB-9D78-91EDD212DDA9@xxxxxx

    >> > In this Beta Refresh I don't see anything important new, just a couple
    >> > of
    >> > estethics touchs but the real important things to do are yet to be done
    >> > (If
    >> > you ever do them):
    >> >
    >> > 1) Still ugly and old stationery themes, not a single good theme like
    >> > in
    >> > Apple Mail
    >> >
    >> > 2) Still too few options for the photo mail, I can't really adjust
    >> > photos
    >> > to
    >> > make a great composition like in Apple Mail
    >> >
    >> > 3) No autodiscovery of addresses, phone numbers, names, e-mail etc. in
    >> > the
    >> > e-mail body, to easily add them in calendar, address book or to do
    >> > list,
    >> > always like Apple Mail
    >> >
    >> > 4) Still no consistency between all the Windows Live apps both on and
    >> > off
    >> > line: Windows Live have some themes, Messenger have only few of them
    >> > but
    >> > not
    >> > dynamics, Mail doesn't have them at all and Photogallery doesn't have
    >> > themes
    >> > or color schemes at all! Integration, integration where are you?
    >> >
    >> > 5) Please! I understand you choosed to eliminate icons but a lot of
    >> > people
    >> > here have told you we don't like textual!
    >> > It's not intuitive at all to use, you have to memorize all the position
    >> > commands instead of identify them at first look.
    >> > At least let us choose between plain text, text and icons or only
    >> > icons,
    >> > but
    >> > don't decide for us!
    >> >
    >> > 6) I would like to see offline reminders for the calendar, it will be
    >> > LOTTA
    >> > useful!
    >>

      My System SpecsSystem Spec

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