Windows Live Calendar

Infobox Software
name = Windows Live Calendar



caption = Screenshot of Windows Live Calendar
developer = Microsoft
latest_release_version =
latest_release_date =
latest_preview_version = 13.1.0076.0912
latest_preview_date = September 18 2008
operating_system =
genre = Calendar management and sharing
license =
website = http://calendar.live.com

Windows Live Calendar is a time-management web application by Microsoft as part of its Windows Live services. It is integrated into Windows Live Hotmail, the way that MSN Calendar was integrated into the MSN Hotmail service. Windows Live Calendar supports iCalendar files for users to import calendar entries into their calendars.

Windows Live Calendar is currently in its beta testing stage and only available to users in the United States, United Kingdom, Japan, China, India, France, Germany, Switzerland, Spain, and Russia. [ [http://windowslivewire.spaces.live.com/blog/cns!2F7EB29B42641D59!534.entry Windows Live Wire Official Blog: Windows Live Calendar beta goes public] 2007-11-06]

Features

Windows Live Calendar features a similar interface to desktop calendar applications such as Windows Calendar. Similar to Windows Live Hotmail, the interface is driven by AJAX-technology which enables users to view, add and drag-and-drop calendar events from one date to another without reloading the page. It features daily, weekly, monthly and agenda view modes. It also features a to-do list function for users to keep track of their tasks to be completed.

Calendar events are stored online and can be viewed from any location. Multiple calendars can be created and shared, allowing different levels of permissions for each user. Users are able to share their Windows Live Calendar via three different methods:
*Private sharing - other users may sign-in with their Windows Live ID and view, edit and/or delete calendar entries based on the invitation by the owner
*View-only link - other users may receive a view-only link to the calendar being shared, and be able to subscribe to the calendar via RSS or Webcal
*Public sharing - other users may search and view the calendar on the web

Windows Live Calendar integrates with Windows Live Alerts to allow users to subscribe to alerts for upcoming calendar events via e-mail, SMS, or Windows Live Messenger. It also integrates with Windows Live Events for users to create social events that can be displayed on their calendar. In the new Wave 3 release, Windows Live Mail will also feature a Calendar mode that allows automatic syncing with Windows Live Calendar.

History

In June 2006, it was initially reported that Windows Live Calendar will feature iCalendar invitations, calendar sharing, tasks and notes, RSS support, calendar data synchronisation, and will feature a new and simplified user interface. [ [http://staff.washington.edu/oren/weblog2/archives/2006/06/windows_live_ed_4.html Oren Screnbny's Weblog: Windows Live@edu - Windows Live Calendar] ]

Windows Live Calendar was reported to have entered internal pre-beta (dogfood) testing within Microsoft on August 17,2007. [ [http://www.liveside.net/blogs/main/archive/2007/08/17/windows-live-calendar-dogfood-running-get-ready-for-a-beta.aspx LiveSide.net: Windows Live Calendar dogfood running - Get ready for a beta] ] Several months later, Windows Live Calendar beta was released for public testing on November 5, 2007. [ [http://www.liveside.net/blogs/main/archive/2007/11/04/windows-live-calendar-first-impressions-we-do-some-testing-of-our-own.aspx LiveSide.net: Windows Live Calendar first impressions: We do some "testing" of our own] ]

On June 20, 2008 an update was released for Windows Live Calendar that automatically adds birthdays from Windows Live Contacts as well as public holidays calendar for China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, Philippines, Spain, Russia, Taiwan, Thailand, Singapore, United States and United Kingdom. iCal Subscriptions are also now supported. Also of interest are the user interface changes with the ability to have right click options and additional print views. [ [http://mailcall.spaces.live.com/blog/cns!CC9301187A51FE33!49200.entry Mailcall:Windows Live Calendar beta update with birthday, holiday, ical calendars and more] ] On September 18, 2008, Windows Live Calendar was updated to the Wave 3 release, featuring new to-do list functions, new design, and support for Windows Live Mail Calendar function. [ [http://mailcall.spaces.live.com/blog/cns!CC9301187A51FE33!49703.entry Mailcall: Windows Live Calendar Beta: To Dos and more coming soon] ]

ee also

*Windows Live
*Windows Live Hotmail
*Google Calendar

References

External links

* [http://calendar.live.com Windows Live Calendar] "part of Windows Live Hotmail"
* [http://www.windowslive-hotmail.com/calendar/default.aspx?page=default&locale=en-US Windows Live Calendar Beta Information]