Connect, Relate and Share : The Microsoft Windows Live community offers real-world tips.

What does a 20-year-old designer and blogger in Pennsylvania have in common with a retired grandmother in England? They’re not only using the same technologies, but also are part of the same social circle — both are members of The Clubhouse, Microsoft Corp.’s Windows Live Community, who are coming together to share how they’re using the latest and greatest suite of tools to work, play and connect. Members, both young and young at heart, have made Windows Live their online home and are using its software and services to keep in touch with their friends and family in faraway places.

REDMOND, Wa. (Business Wire EON) November 19, 2008 -- Windows Live reaches across generations with its ease of use and accessibility, but Clubhouse members are making it even easier for the average Jane or Joe to go high-tech. Members blog about their latest and greatest tips and tricks, including how to use technologies such as e-mail, instant messaging and online photo albums to stay in touch, and how to keep it all housed within one online home. You can check out a whole host of real-world tips for staying connected at Windows Live, including those from Ryan, a 20-year-old designer and blogger, and Sandra, a tech-savvy British grandmother.

Share and Organize Photos With Windows Live Photo Gallery

Ryan is a young professional stepping out into the real world. Ryan totes his camera along with him on his travels and adventures with friends, and has more than 10,000 digital photos to share. When he moved away last year to attend college, he wanted to stay in touch and continue to share his snapshots.

To overcome the distance, Ryan turned to Windows Live. He stays in touch and available almost continuously through Windows Live Messenger and Windows Live Mail. For sharing all those photos, Ryan created a Windows Live Photo Gallery, where he can tag pictures of family members and friends with facial tagging and can share albums with family without sending attachments or uploading the files to a secondary photo service. Listen to a recent interview with Ryan on the Clubhouse community manager's site.

Stay Connected With Windows Live Messenger

Sandra won't let distance keep her away from her Scottish grandchildren. In fact, she's eager to try new technology that helps her stay in touch. "At my age, if you don't take an interest in it, you'll get left behind," she says. But there's no danger of that, as Sandra is more connected than most people half her age.

Sandra stays top-of-mind with her grandchildren with the help of Windows Live Messenger. Her grandchildren just love to see their Gran, but when visits aren't feasible, this technology allows Sandra to play games with them, talk economically with PC-to-PC calling,* and stay up-to-date on homework assignments, birthday celebrations and piano recitals without traveling across borders. Her grandchildren are ardent users, so Gran always knows where to find them. Sandra also keeps in touch with Windows Live Mail, her Windows Live Spaces blog "Living with Live," as well as Facebook. She's even got an Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system for gaming. In short, Gran is everywhere!

Visit the Community

See more of Ryan and Sandra's insights on keeping in touch and using Windows Live by visiting their blogs, and check out a whole host of tips and tricks from other members of the Windows Live community. Have your own insight to share? Join the community.

Related Links

YouTube tour video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mA9bPzQEFFg Backgrounder: http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/newsroom/msn/userfeatures.mspx Public Windows Live Clubhouse Space: http://communityclubhouse.spaces.live.com Community roster: http://windowslive.com/Connect View posts: http://windowslive.com/connect/tag/Select%20a%20product * To place a PC-to-PC call, both users must have Windows Live Messenger installed, a compatible microphone and speakers or a headset, and Internet access (webcam and broadband required for video).

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