Microsoft Opens Up Live Mesh, but Just a Little Bit

On July 16, Microsoft confirmed officially that it was opening up the Tech Preview program for Live Mesh. However, the Redmond giant also indicated that Live Mesh had in no way evolved past the Tech Preview stage, but that more testers would be permitted to get a taste of the synchronization and collaboration platform. Live Mesh was initially introduced in April 2008 with access permitted only to 10,000 testers at that time. As of July 15, Microsoft indicated that it was accepting additional users, although access is still restricted.

"We just updated the forum post to clarify exactly what's going on, but I want to explain here as well. This week we did two things: doubled the maximum number of users we'll allow to access the Live Mesh Technology Preview, simplified the Tech Preview sign-up process. We've removed the requirement to sign up via Microsoft Connect, so that instead you can sign up directly from www.mesh.com," a member of the Live Mesh team revealed.

The fact is that a new, simplified sign-up process is indeed in place, but it is only valid for U.S. users. At the same time, Microsoft is not ready to deal with a flood of new testers to the Live Mesh Tech Preview. This is why the company only expanded the initial technology preview program, but failed to open it entirely. In fact, it is unlikely that Microsoft will permit such a scenario until Live Mesh does not evolve past the Tech Preview stage.

"With Live Mesh open to more people in the US, our international friends can join in the fun early as well - with one caveat: you must be willing to change your Windows operating system region and language setting to EN-US. Once you do this you will be able to immediately sign in to Live Mesh with a valid Windows Live ID. Please be aware that this may cause other applications that specifically require your native country region and language settings to encounter problems," a representative of the Live Mesh team added.