A new desktop application from Microsoft, now in beta, lets bloggers see the look of a blog posting before uploading it online.The program, called Windows Live Writer, doesn’t require HTML programming knowledge. Advanced users, however, can still tap into the HTML to make adjustments.Live Writer is compatible with Microsoft’s Live Spaces and other blogging services including Blogger, Live Journal, TypePad and WordPress. SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER From our editors straight to your inbox Get started by entering your email address below. Please enter a valid email address Subscribe Microsoft announced the beta Friday, stressing that Live Writer saves users from uploading material to a blogging site and then having to make revisions to the design. The program has the feel of a word processing program. During the setup, Live Writer asks for login, password and website address, then imports the site’s preferences. The program displays blog content in the same form as it appears on the Web, including the same fonts, styles and backgrounds.Live Writer has simple tools to adjust photos. Maps—taken from Microsoft’s Live Local mapping service—can also be inserted into posts. Once finished, the “publish” button posts new material. The program could also potentially remove some blogging frustrations, such as when a blogging service logs off a user before a post is finished, losing the material.The free program can be downloaded here.-Jeremy Kirk, IDG News Service (London Bureau)This article is posted on our Microsoft Informer page. For more news on the Redmond, Wash.-based powerhouse, keep checking in.Check out our CIO News Alerts and Tech Informer pages for more updated news coverage. Related content feature Gen AI success starts with an effective pilot strategy To harness the promise of generative AI, IT leaders must develop processes for identifying use cases, educate employees, and get the tech (safely) into their hands. By Bob Violino Sep 27, 2023 10 mins Generative AI Generative AI Generative AI feature A fluency in business and tech yields success at NATO Manfred Boudreaux-Dehmer speaks with Lee Rennick, host of CIO Leadership Live, Canada, about innovation in technology, leadership across a vast cultural landscape, and what it means to hold the inaugural CIO role at NATO. By CIO staff Sep 27, 2023 6 mins CIO IT Skills Innovation feature The demand for new skills: How can CIOs optimize their team? By Andrea Benito Sep 27, 2023 3 mins opinion The CIO event of the year: What to expect at CIO100 ASEAN Awards By Shirin Robert Sep 26, 2023 3 mins IDG Events IT Leadership Podcasts Videos Resources Events SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER From our editors straight to your inbox Get started by entering your email address below. Please enter a valid email address Subscribe