Microsoft has released a new version of its Hotmail with 2Gb of space, AJAX looking, blah, blah, blah. Here is how it looks by the way
1. First thing that I tried once I logged my self in is to use simple letters as shortcuts, well the same way we use shortcuts in Gmail, remember? "c" to compose a new mail, "n" for the next message, "p" for the previous message, and so on. Well Hotmail stays Hotmail no matter what – explicit shortcuts are NOT there
2. Second thing is I tried to resize my inbox with mail, you know, if they make it so lame by default, I thought maybe I can do that. Guess what… well you guessed right – can’t explicitly do that too
3. Then I clicked on that annoying huge "Windows Live" bar on top – got a completely empty screen with "http://www.getlive.com/" in my address bar. Hm.. annoying and empty – why?
4. Clicked on "full message view" in a preview panel – gave me a good message view, but I spent at least 5-6 seconds figuring out how to go back to normal view (I had to close the whole window) – explicit? Human Computer Interaction problem? How hard is it to put "back to normal view" or something like that?
5. Looked for labels, found them by logging to my Gmail, so.. no labels – is it patent by Google, or Hotmail is too cool for that?
Overall, it is much better than old Hotmail, but way far from being "Gmail compliant". Lots of colorful bars, ads, response time (I have a high speed connection), HCI (human computer interaction) principles used (and not used), etc.
I give it "C+". Well, yea – I am the user, means Hotmail is my student, and apparently Freshmen. So get to books Hotmail, and remember SIMPLICITY is the key – Keep It Simple Stupid (KISS), or is it not from Windows Bible? 
GMAIL is way too easier, this look messy. But it’s a first attempt, give’em time.
Although Windows 1.0 was also the first attempt…
1) There is Truth in the fact that it IS FASTER..and that is on Dial Up-New Zealand (we are pretty Backward over here/ our BroadBand tends to be..at times SLOWER..than Dial Up)
Anyway Live Hotmail’ appears to be Faster than ye ole Hotmail…thats GREAT
2) but sad to say…at this time…the IMAGES..that used to show up Beautifully in the ole Hotmail..get THIS…..GetAttachment.aspx
–on every damn one..so you have to rename em…however on Outlook Express…thank goodness…they are still Ok as per usual
I am more than prepared to allow time for them to iron out all the hassles tho
Hotmail is STILL my preferred email….even over Gmail..(which i have noticed has SLOWED down considerably the last few months….since many have gone on board ..i assume…here in NZ that is/ a mate in the UK has never had much success with Gmail over the last 18 months…so there ya go
Cheers from NZ
eric