After reading some positive writeups I've decided to give Windows Live Writer a go. It is a desktop app for blogging rather than relying on browser based editors.

There are good reasons for doing this. I've had some frustrating experiences with browser based editors both as a writer and site admin. Formatting can be tricky and I end up with several browser windows all open for different jobs, which was starting to get confusing.

The installation software seems to be following the trend with Microsoft recently of avoiding tradition processes. Instead of a wizard there is a single window with options for all of the different programs that make up the 'Microsoft Live experience'.

All you have to do is to tick the boxes of what you want and then click on the Add to installation button.

The only problem I encountered was that I did not have the latest updates for the .NET software. A quick visit to Windows Update solved the problem but it was a shame that the installation program didn't realise and tell me.

Once installed, Live Writer can be started from the installer by clicking on the title, launching the setup wizard.

The first choice of blogs is just Microsoft versions but luckily there is a third way that involves entering the details of another blog entirely.

We use Typepad here so I gave that a try first. There's no need to remember complicated details; all it needs are the web address of the blog and your username and password.

Some quick analysis of the blog later, it offered to create a temporary post to check on the template details.

Everything seemed to work, so I will now leave the web interface and make a start with Live writer