It's been a big few days for the larger Windows Live team with lots of great releases that are really coming together to work as a whole. I've just upgraded my machines at work and at home, and I'm really enjoying all the new services. What am I talking about? Well, first up, you've all just have to head on over to:-

• http://www.windowslive.com

Here you'll get the downloads for:-

• The new Windows Live Messenger (8.5) - pictured right
• Finally, a new version of Windows Live Writer, which I used for this post (it rocks!)
• Windows Live Photo Gallery - great for Windows XP users, that can now get a taste for the Photo Gallery application that ships with Vista, except with the Windows Live publishing (and even Flickr) capability built right in.
• Windows Live Mail - great for use with Hotmail. Finally, a rich email Hotmail (and others) client. Lovely!
• Update for the Windows Live Toolbar
• Plus more...

Also, if you want to get a brand new Windows Live account (that is, one that ends in @live.com rather than @msn.com or @hotmail.com), then head over to http://www.windowslive.com/freshstart.html.

Here are some other links you'll enjoy with the above:-

• Hear, straight from the horses mouth (the Windows Live Messenger Product Team), what are the new features in 8.5 - http://messengersays.spaces.live.com/blog/cns!5B410F7FD930829E!27545.entry
• And if you really like Live Messenger so much, create your own Messenger button and add it to your signature - http://www.gowindowslive.com/messenger/button/Default.aspx
• Also, check out the plug-ins for Windows Live Writer at http://gallery.live.com/results.aspx?bt=9&pl=8. It's cool that it's fully extensible, eh? (I used the Spaces Emoticon plug-in to insert this wink).

Most importantly though, have a great time with Windows Live!