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10/13/2006 08:22:44 PM · #1 |
Microsoft is offering free beta of their Microsoft Office Live Basics. It is free both during and after the beta period. It comes with 30MB storage, 10 Gb/month transfer, 2GB (web-based) e-mail, and daily backups.
Want one? go here!
What you want is the Live Basics beta just under the "Search for a Domain" box, on the right side of the page.
What you get - awesome stuff considering it's free. Your domain is yours to keep forever, but you can't transfer it for at least 60 days. The html page editing tools are intuitive, but this is not really for anyone who already knows how to code/build pages. They have all kinds of templates and stuff so you can personalize at will, but if you are used to designing your own pages you might get frustrated. I haven't found a way to hack code yet, but I'm sure a more enterprising person could.
The website is "Live" as soon as you create it - there is no "test" environment or "publish to web" button. It does take a few hours for stuff to show up, though, so you have time. Just don't tell all your pals about it until you have the introductory stuff taken care of.
Oh yeah, it's one per credit card customer. You can do it twice if you have two credit cards, etc., but you can't access the design tools from one MSN Passport ID. You need two of those, too. You do have to enter credit card info to prove that you are who you say you are, and private registration of your name/address info isn't available (that I've found, at least). At the end of the beta, they will likely try to sell you additional services, but the confirmation e-mail that you get promises that your site is free even after the beta period, unless you elect to upgrade and request additional services.
If there is anyone out there that always wanted a website, but didn't have the extra funds to start one, I think this might be for you. You can do slideshows with your images, and get a start on a photography business website at the minimum.
Good luck and have fun!
--Laurie
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10/13/2006 08:31:15 PM · #2 |
| Looks like its for Internet Explorer only huh.. |
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10/13/2006 08:34:13 PM · #3 |
Will check it out tomorrow Laurie, FF user here and the link wants me to download an older version of IE6 (I'll probably sign up tomorrow after turning up my anti virus etc).
sounds like a good deal :)
Message edited by author 2006-10-13 20:34:44.
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10/13/2006 08:40:34 PM · #4 |
Originally posted by buzzrock:
Looks like its for Internet Explorer only huh.. |
I believe that it's only the slideshow feature that might not display properly in another browser besides IE. I did test and try to view known Live Basic pages with Firefox, and those pages did display.
This probably isn't a full fledged solution for an established photography business, but for someone just starting out with no extra money - well, you can't get much cheaper than free, right? :) |
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10/13/2006 08:47:15 PM · #5 |
I'd really like to try this just to get the domain name really, but it seems only available to those in the States.
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10/13/2006 08:48:31 PM · #6 |
I still might try it out--
Any ideas for a domain name for me?
buzzphoto.net is available |
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10/13/2006 08:50:30 PM · #7 |
Funny you posted this, I just canceled mine today. (which by the way was a pita!)
Anyway it wasn't for me. Too confined for what I wanted. Also the site is so so slow drove me nuts.
If your doing something simple then it's good and the price is sure right. |
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10/13/2006 08:54:03 PM · #8 |
I got to the part they wanted a CC and closed the window... I don't give my CC out for something Free...
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10/13/2006 09:09:52 PM · #9 |
Originally posted by littlegett:
I got to the part they wanted a CC and closed the window... I don't give my CC out for something Free... |
I know how you feel; however, the credit card info is to authenticate that you are indeed who you say you are. It's to prevent identity/stalking/michievous use issues.
I can assure you that the confirmation e-mail states in plain language that your credit will not be charged unless you request additional services.
While I have my own domain name/hosting service that I pay for elsewhere, I thought it might be fun to have a free "play" site that wasn't related to my business endeavors. So far, so good!
@buzz: Oh, I got domain name ideas for you - FOR SURE!!! :) |
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10/13/2006 10:40:41 PM · #10 |
i already have internet explorer, but it is a newer version so i can't continue or instal an older version. how do i continue?
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10/13/2006 10:41:46 PM · #11 |
| Works great, I've had one there for about three weeks now. AND yes it really is easy and free. |
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10/14/2006 02:55:51 PM · #12 |
What happens when the beta period is up? Do I lose my domain name?
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10/14/2006 03:26:28 PM · #13 |
Originally posted by jfriesen:
What happens when the beta period is up? Do I lose my domain name? |
Nope! Your domain name is yours to keep. They'll pay for your domain name and host your account for free even after the beta period. The only stipulation is that you can't transfer the domain name for at least 60 days, after that you can switch it to any other registrar/provider, like GoDaddy/Joker/wherever.
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10/14/2006 04:27:34 PM · #14 |
Taken directly from their FAQ:
Q: Why do you need my credit card for a free subscription? Top
A: Even though Microsoft Office Live is a free service during the beta period, we still require a credit card in order to validate that every customer is a legitimate entity. We are concerned for two reasons:
Microsoft wants to help mitigate fraud and strives to ensure that the Web sites we provide for our small business customers are for valid purposes. Requiring a valid credit card is intended to decrease the likelihood that malicious users will sign up. Web site scams, such as "phishing" or spamming, often use fictitious Web sites to deceive consumers into disclosing credit card numbers, bank account information, Social Security numbers, passwords, or other sensitive information. We limit the number of offers to one per credit card number as added protection against malicious users signing up for our service.
We also require a credit card to facilitate payment of services during the beta (e.g., the purchase of additional domain names) as well as at the conclusion of the beta period, when customers will be asked if they would like to continue using our services on a paid, monthly subscription basis. With your explicit permission, we can establish monthly billing using your credit card information. You will be able to continue using our services without interruption and without having to submit additional account information. Note: Basics subscriptions will not offer add-ons.
Edited again
Message edited by author 2006-10-14 16:32:30. |
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10/14/2006 04:33:08 PM · #15 |
| Not for the Basic version, that's always free. |
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10/14/2006 04:36:05 PM · #16 |
| I know someone that works at MS. Will get them to verify the validity of this. |
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10/14/2006 05:04:33 PM · #17 |
From the confirmation e-mail:
Dear Customer,
This mail is confirmation that you successfully purchased Microsoft Office Live Basics on Friday, October 13, 2006. Here is a description of your purchase:
This is a free monthly subscription for this Microsoft Office Live beta offer. This offer will end if you cancel your subscription or when the beta concludes, at which time you will have the option to continue with Office Live through a free or fee-based subscription.
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10/14/2006 09:59:16 PM · #18 |
Went for the jump, hope this stays free
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10/14/2006 10:44:47 PM · #19 |
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10/15/2006 12:50:02 PM · #20 |
Originally posted by tryals15:
Can you FTP? |
Anyone know? |
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10/15/2006 12:55:34 PM · #21 |
Hey Trey,
Nope, you can't ftp. This is really more for the kind of person who doesn't even know what ftp is...
You could upload spreadsheets, Word documents, and mp3's (prolly more, but those are the only ones I've tried so far), but there is a size limitation of 10 MB on any one upload. Also, any upload that takes longer than 15 minutes to complete will time out automatically.
HTH
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10/15/2006 12:57:23 PM · #22 |
Originally posted by buzzrock:
I still might try it out--
Any ideas for a domain name for me?
buzzphoto.net is available |
Buzzrockphotos.com/net/org
Buzzrockphotography.com/net/org
All available
TCPhotos. com is taken....org/net available.
Added: I have a domain name and a Power smugmug account. I'll probably get the Pro soon. I'm just not sure I want MS to host my site.
Message edited by author 2006-10-15 13:01:00.
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10/15/2006 01:06:25 PM · #23 |
Originally posted by L2:
Hey Trey,
Nope, you can't ftp. This is really more for the kind of person who doesn't even know what ftp is...
You could upload spreadsheets, Word documents, and mp3's (prolly more, but those are the only ones I've tried so far), but there is a size limitation of 10 MB on any one upload. Also, any upload that takes longer than 15 minutes to complete will time out automatically.
HTH |
Bummer. Thanks for the info. |
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