USM Live@edu

Guess what? I just found out about this new service that USM provides to its students and staff. Well, apparently USM has partnered with Microsoft Live (Yes, you're right. It IS he company that invent Window Live@MSN!), to provide USM students and employees with some premium services. Well, it sure does differentiate us from other local universities, and it is something i didn't really expect from USM. 

USM = Local University, recently picked as Apex University, ranked like somewhere around 300++ in world ranking.

Microsoft = Multinational company which is chiefed by the richest man in the world, invented the operating system for computers which is used by 90% of the population in the world. 

So, tell me, like how can i expect two of them to come together, right? XD

Now, what did they provide, you might ask? What i can tell you is, it is very similar to the services that you'll get when you sign in as a WindowLive member. It is just USM-lized.

1) An email account

It has 5GB of storage, and the address will be the same as the one USM gave you. So, your USM email account is transferred to Window Live. They still call it USM Mail though. XD

Eg: Mine will be lfy96134@student.usm.my

2) Online Storage Space

This is what i like. Online storage yo! Can backup my important documents and stuff. Real cool i would say. They call it "SkyDrive", as possesed to "HardDrive". So we're keeping our stuff in the sky, eh? XD

3) Messenger

Yes, you can now use your USM email to login to MSN. Though, i have an existing one, so that's like..no point?..Maybe i'll add my group mates to ease my project discussion with them in the future (If that's applicable, but then, i also THINK all of them have an existing MSN account anyway!).

4) Calender

According to them, we can import/exchange calenders with friends, including USM staff and such. Might be useful, though, i don't really use a calender online. Cause, if my calender ARE online, i wouldn't be able to access them offline.

5) Window Live Writer/Space/Blog

You are given a space, to blog, or you can save more than 1000 Microsoft-Office-kind-of-documents online, editing them. This is good, i tell you. That probably means i doesn't need to transfer my documents here and there anymore. Just need to save it online, and i can access it whereever i want.

And, i think it would be good for lecturers to use this for course purposes, as opposed to yahoo groups. You know what, i HATE yahoo groups. I hate the layout, the style, the way i have to access my message, it's just, BAD. And since USM has made such a great effort to form partnership with Microsoft Live, this might be an alternative for those lecturers who want to conduct part of the course online, as well as sharing lecture notes.

What can i say? Well done to USM. You had made another great effort towards an Apex-ranked university \o/. (Not sure if it is relevant :P). So yea, i might utilize the 5GB online storage..or maybe making an own personal website. Well, it's a great effort by USM, and we're not to waste it, ne?

If anyone did use this service, do add me in your messenger :P (lfy96134@student.usm.my) NO gurantee i will login though. *lol*