Windows Live Writer:

Windows Live Writer beta is now available to download at http://windowslivewriter.spaces.live.com/.

Windows Live Writer is a desktop application for composing blog entries onWindows Live Spaces or other blog services.
Some features include a WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) editor along with an HTML editor and web preview look. I dont see this as much of an improvement on current blogging services out there like Blogger. However this probably does appeal more to the average Windows user who doesnt know about Blogger and is more use to a Word/Office feel for their applications.
http://img81.imageshack.us/img81/7402/ss1qn1.th.jpg

Another feature is photo publishing. Again not that cool of an idea and not that interesting, but still another sortof average Windows user type of deal.
http://img142.imageshack.us/img142/2429/ss2jt6.th.jpg

Ok this feature is pretty cool. Windows Live Writer will have intergration into Windows Live Local the map service on Windows Live. You can place maps into your posts as well as customize them to which view of the map you want your users to see. Along with adding pushpins with detail to show off certain places on the map.
http://img54.imageshack.us/img54/7930/ss3zb2.th.jpg

Windows Live Writer also comes with an SDK so that people can submit other ideas for the application. This is sortof cool any chance that Microsoft has to open up to the community they need to take it. Plus with this the Writer could really develop into a unique featureful app.
In terms of compatibility Windows has covered most major blog applications out there on the web including Windows Live Spaces, Blogger, Typepad, LiveJournal, Wordpress, and more. Writer supports RSD (Really Simple Discoverability), the Metaweblog API, and the Movable Type API.

"We want Writer to work well with every blogging service out there. If you can’t get Writer to work with your blog, we want to know."

So far this program looks like it will turn out to be a pretty good service. Hopefully it will develop into a more unique program, but it seems mostly aimed at the average Windows user who knows you click the "E" to get to the internet :cheesy:.
http://www.utmem.edu/helpdesk/images...ows-logo-2.gif