Webware100

Windows Live Hotmail is the latest iteration of Microsoft's free Web-based e-mail service. The multipane interface lets you drag-and-drop messages into folders, or right-click messages for a menu of options. There's also a "Today" tab of news that loads when you sign in. Windows Live Hotmail even lets you choose a color theme in case you feel like customizing it to match your tastes.

Microsoft has also rolled out some useful features like instant spell-check, a built-in audio player, an RSS feed reader, and previews for Office documents and PDFs. However, what makes Hotmail interesting is its rich history. It was the first real Web mail to hit the mass market before Microsoft bought it up and changed it year over year, including the overhaul back in May of 2007 that took over two years to develop.

Winner: Windows Live Hotmail (Get.Live.com)
Category: Communication

Category: Communications

Windows Live Hotmail is the latest iteration of Microsoft's free Web-based e-mail service. The new multipane interface lets you drag and drop messages into folders, or right-click messages for a menu of options. There's also a "Today" tab of news that loads when you sign in. Windows Live Hotmail even lets you choose a color theme in case you feel like customizing it to match your tastes.

Microsoft has also rolled out some useful features like instant spell-check, a built-in audio player, an RSS feed reader, and previews for Office documents and PDFs.

Windows Live Hotmail users get 2GB of storage for free, and can increase that amount with paid subscription plans.

Web site: Mail.live.com

Webware coverage: What's inside your Web mail?; A fresh, faster Hotmail

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