Microsoft Releases Office Live for Web Collaboration
Infoworld reports that Microsoft has just released their new Office Live package. This package is intended for small U.S. busineses, according to the product manager, who want to create an online presence. Anyone who was expecting an AJAX (Asynchronous Javscript and XML) based version will be disappointed with this release.
At US$29.95/m for the Basics version, Office Live's purpose is to supposedly help a business create and manage an online presence. This includes the ability to create a website, web analytics to study your web traffic, a domain name, and 5 email accounts. Bump up to the Collaboration version and you get 20 business applications. The Essentials version throws in an extra 50 email accounts.
My opinion is that this package is only really for any small businesses (10 employees or less) who don't have someone with the experience to create a web presence on their own, with existing tools. At $29.95/m, that's about $360/yr, every year you use it. And that's just for the Basics. My hosting costs me US$3.95/m and the domains are US$8.95/yr, for a total of about $56/yr. Occasionally, domains are only US$1.99 for the first year. Loads of email accounts are included free with the hosting package.
If my web traffic rises and I need a virtual dedicated server, that'll cost me about US$35/m. But I suspect most small businesses wouldn't need to do that. As for website managment, content management, and web analytics, I use quality free and/or OpenSource software tools. Sure, there's a bit of learning involved, but what's wrong with that? Take the money you save each year and send one employee to a basic webmastering class. That knowledge will serve you well, assuming you can hold on to the employee.
Well, I suppose if Google and Yahoo have gotten into the hosting business, why shouldn't Microsoft? Personally, if you're already doing business on the Internet, I think you should consider holding off until Microsoft puts out an AJAX version.
Links/Sources: Infoworld - Microsoft's Office Live services debut with e-mail, Web hosting services.
Technorati Tags: computingnews, computing news, office live, microsoft, manage website
At US$29.95/m for the Basics version, Office Live's purpose is to supposedly help a business create and manage an online presence. This includes the ability to create a website, web analytics to study your web traffic, a domain name, and 5 email accounts. Bump up to the Collaboration version and you get 20 business applications. The Essentials version throws in an extra 50 email accounts.
My opinion is that this package is only really for any small businesses (10 employees or less) who don't have someone with the experience to create a web presence on their own, with existing tools. At $29.95/m, that's about $360/yr, every year you use it. And that's just for the Basics. My hosting costs me US$3.95/m and the domains are US$8.95/yr, for a total of about $56/yr. Occasionally, domains are only US$1.99 for the first year. Loads of email accounts are included free with the hosting package.
If my web traffic rises and I need a virtual dedicated server, that'll cost me about US$35/m. But I suspect most small businesses wouldn't need to do that. As for website managment, content management, and web analytics, I use quality free and/or OpenSource software tools. Sure, there's a bit of learning involved, but what's wrong with that? Take the money you save each year and send one employee to a basic webmastering class. That knowledge will serve you well, assuming you can hold on to the employee.
Well, I suppose if Google and Yahoo have gotten into the hosting business, why shouldn't Microsoft? Personally, if you're already doing business on the Internet, I think you should consider holding off until Microsoft puts out an AJAX version.
Links/Sources: Infoworld - Microsoft's Office Live services debut with e-mail, Web hosting services.
Technorati Tags: computingnews, computing news, office live, microsoft, manage website
