Windows Live ID

What is a Windows Live ID ?
Most folks think that Windows Live ID ( WLID ) is simply an email address and password. Sorta.
WLID uses an email address to identify your WLID account. The reason is that it is a unique value to you.
Your password is the authentication to your account. A WLID is a set of claims that your account makes. The claim
is specific to the owner of the account. This is not only specific to people but can be used for organizations,
devices, and services. Example of claims are user' email address, type of indentify of the account, relationships,authorization
of other claims such as parental control. The account can be authenticated using name/password, smart cards, and security pins.
WLID will be the authentication system for existing and future Microsoft online services. Orginally, Microsoft offered a similiar
service known as Passport. WLID is the evolution of Passport.

How do I get WLID ? Easy, go to http://home.live.com/ click Sign Up
Cost: 0$
Secure: yes

With your WLID you'll have access to lots of free services like email,your own space, in the cloud storage,
photo gallery, editing tools.

You'll need a WLID to log into Microsoft Dynamics CRM Live also. I found it useful to have a couple of WLID accounts.
One I use for employement related services and the other I use for personal. I can also link accounts together. That way, I should
have access to services that are with my other WLIDs. I have found that this doesn't always work. I think that during the
login process a service can determine that your using a linked account and deny. Make sense. Some serivces wouldn't want you
sharing your access.