Microsoft divorces Live Mesh from kitchen Sync drama
Just let me keep my name, goddammit
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Microsoft has yet again renamed its Live Sync service which will now be dubbed Windows Live Mesh when it is released this autumn.
The company confirmed the moniker switcheroo in a blog post on Friday.
But the name change could confuse customers as Live Sync, which Microsoft is currently testing, is made up of two existing sync services in the software giant’s product line-up.
One is Windows Live Sync and the other is Live Mesh, and both products had similar raison d'êtres. Each allowed files and settings to be made available via multiple devices – albeit in slightly different ways. Now Microsoft has melded them together.*
This isn’t the first time Microsoft execs have got their heads in a spin about what to name this product. In fact, the name itself has been as contentious, within Redmond at least, as a divorcee remarrying then divorcing the same man.
It started life as Windows Live Mesh, was then given the Windows Live Sync handle and has now been reverted back to its maiden name.
As for the product itself, Microsoft said that over 240,000 people had downloaded the Windows Live Sync beta since its launch in June this year.
“In our beta release, we brought the best of Windows Live Sync and Live Mesh together. With the addition of remote access and cloud storage, we understand that the new program does more than sync files,” explained the company’s devices and roaming wonk Allison O'Mahony.
“So following the beta period, we’ll be using the name Windows Live Mesh going forward, which we feel best reflects our broader goal of allowing you to access your stuff across your devices.”
The company has also responded to user gripes about the amount of space made available to those people wanting to sync folders between computers, if not mobile phones and other devices yet. Microsoft said it has now bumped up the online storage limit from 2GB to 5GB. ®
Bootnote
It does make sense if you say it all very, very slowly.
COMMENTS
So, same old MS formula
Take an old product, tweak a bit, rename, and release. Take an old product, tweak a bit, rename, and release. Take an old product, tweak a bit, rename, and release. Take an old product, tweak a bit, rename, and release. Take an old product, tweak a bit, rename, and release. Take an old product, tweak a bit, rename, and release. Take an old product, tweak a bit, rename, and release. Take an old product, tweak a bit, rename, and release. Take an old product, tweak a bit, rename, and release. Take an old product, tweak a bit, rename, and release. Take an old product, tweak a bit, rename, and release. Take an old product, tweak a bit, rename, and release. Take an old product, tweak a bit, rename, and release. Take an old product, tweak a bit, rename, and release. Take an old product, tweak a bit, rename, and release. Take an old product, tweak a bit, rename, and release. Take an old product, tweak a bit, rename, and release.
Gets old after a while doesn't it?
What about SyncToy?
I've been using the excellent MS SyncToy for years. There's an updated 64-bit Windows 7 version I'm running now.
SyncToy keep disks (or just sellected directories) of two PCs in sync. Nothing touches the cloud.
It's also a great backup tool. Sync a USB disk with your PC every week or so, and leave the USB disk in the desk draw at work.
I don't want my data moved to the cloud (besides, there's a lot more than 5 GB).
Sync on demand
Darren, Live Sync *does* have sync on demand.
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