Windows Live Custom Domains

Microsoft's Windows Live has added a feature that allows you to point the MX record for your domain to their servers.  You can then manage your accounts at http://domains.live.com.  This is pretty cool for those that want to use their domain name for email but don't want to pay their registrars for the service.

Some of the items they are offering.

• Create up to 20 e-mail accounts within your domain
• Get a 250 MB inbox for each account
• Check your e-mail from any Web-enabled PC
• Junk e-mail filter protection using Microsoft SmartScreen technology
• Virus scanning and cleaning of e-mail
• Seamless access with MSN Messenger, MSN Spaces, etc.

Since I'm not using markdeffenbaugh.com for email I decided to set it up.  To register you specify your domain name, login with an existing MSN account, then get the server to point the MX record to.  Once you set up the MX record they will verify it then give you the ability to start creating accounts.  Once an account is created you have to go to Hotmail and login with the newly created account.

They say they'll give you 250Mb but there is a disclaimer where you may only get 25Mb.  I received 2Mb.  The Custom Domains people do say in their blog that you have to go to http://accountservices.msn.com and set your country before you sign into Hotmail for the first time.  If you did it like I did then you have to dump your account, wait 30 days, then recreate it.

While the service is a good thing for those that need it I'm not real impressed just yet.  First, I hate Hotmail with a passion.  The interface, the ads, the ads sent with the email messages - it's all bad.  The work they're doing with Windows Live however is a major step in the right direction.  There is a new email system called Kahuna coming out soon that, if they dump the stupid ads, may give gmail a run for it's money.  Tie Kahuna with Custom Domains and Microsoft will come out the winner - for a change.