The co-founder of the Microsoft-acquired Hotmail web-based email system is apparently working on a new service, Live Documents. As you could possibly guess, the service allows web-based sharing and editing of documents, specifically, Office documents. This will include Word, Excel, and PowerPoint documents.This will compete with Office Live service Microsoft has been pushing for a couple years, now. Of course, what Office Live is missing is the online editing capability. I imagine we'll see that at some point, but it'll probably be a while before Microsoft truly embraces the web for what it is. Microsoft's official position with web vs. Windows has always aggravated me. Perhaps it's time for a change; out with the old, in with the new. Not sure if the existing new meat will do that or not. We'll have to see how the next year goes. What really gets me about this particular service is the name. I don't imagine Microsoft will just sit back while this company banks on the use of the "Live" franchise. With both Windows Live and Office Live, I think Microsoft has a pretty good claim here. Especially when you consider this is specifically about Office. Microsoft will push Office Live and users will happen across Live Documents, thinking they're one and the same. Obviously, that's not the case.
Don't get me wrong, I have no problem with the competition. I don't expect much out of Google Docs, so this will hit a little closer to home. I want someone to push Microsoft. Like I said, I think they've made some stupid decisions in the web vs. Windows war and Microsoft obviously has a lot to learn.