MSN To Take Blogging Service 'Live'

MSN intends to add new features to its blogging service and change its name from "MSN Spaces" to "Windows Live Spaces" this summer, reflecting the Redmond software giant's plan to monetize its online offerings under the "Live" flag.

An MSN spokesman said the company will gradually add Windows Live features, rather than relaunch the site. "MSN Spaces will focus on building Windows Live innovations into a ready=for-market product, rather than shipping as a beta in the Ideas site," the spokesman said. "MSN Spaces will seamlessly transition to Windows Live Spaces as we add new Live features to the service later this summer."

Microsoft first declared its intention to add new functionalities, along with new advertising opportunities, to its Web-based software offerings last November. At the time, Eric Hadley, MSN's senior director of advertising and marketing, told OnlineMediaDaily that the booming ad market created opportunities for ad-funded software.

Early this month, MSN began testing advertisements on MSN Spaces as part of a pilot program to monetize it and other Web-based software products, including Windows Live Mail and Office Live.

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