Concomitantly with the launch of fresh beta versions of Windows Live Mail and Windows Live Messenger 8.5, Microsoft has also made available for download a new refresh to Windows Live Writer Beta 2. Microsoft's tool is designed as a desktop application built to enable users to publish rich content to their blog. Windows Live Writer Beta 2 has been released into six localized versions and features a fresh look and feel. Microsoft has also informed that a set of enhancements have been introduced to the application, but as Writer is still in beta it will also feature some shortcomings.

"Windows Live Writer is a tool for composing blog posts and publishing them on several of the web's biggest blogging platforms (such as Windows Live Spaces, Community Server, WordPress, and TypePad). Windows Live Writer allows for custom plug-ins to be installed from Windows Live Gallery that extend its publishing abilities amongst blogging platforms. Today's new beta of Windows Live Writer comes with features like inline spell checking, the ability to add categories, table editing and easier image insertion. Windows Live Writer's new beta will be available in the following markets: US (English), US (Spanish), India (English), UK, Spain, Germany, Japan, China and France," revealed Nick White Microsoft Program Manager.

According to the Windows Live Writer team, the product brings to the table improved authoring capabilities, from inline spell checking to table editing and paste special. Microsoft also focused on delivering additional flexibility as far as categories and page authoring are concerned. When it comes to support, Windows Live Writer not only plays better with excerpts and extended entries, but also with SharePoint 2007.

"We're also excited to announce that Windows Live Spaces, WordPress, and TypePad have all taken advantage of our new Provider Customization API to expose additional service-specific features within the Writer UI. These APIs enable both rich customization of Writer's behavior as well as the opportunity to add new functionality to the product," a member of the Windows Live Writer team explained.