Microsoft has a long way to go if it wants to match the thousands of miles that Google offers in its Street View mapping service–but from what I’ve seen, Microsoft provides a compelling alternative. The latest version of Bing Maps has an interesting new feature called Streetside (similar to Google Maps Street View) that allows you to explore street-level views of select U.S.

You can also create Excel and PowerPoint documents in your browser by clicking the New drop-down menu at the top of the folder-contents view. At the time of this writing, Microsoft’s Excel and PowerPoint icons were functional, but the Word and OneNote apps had no document-editing capabilities Microsoft says that Word and OneNote will not be available before the official launch of Office Web Apps. This command will take you to the corresponding Web app for your document type. Select the document you uploaded, and then click the new Edit menu option. To get started with Office Web Apps, go back to SkyDrive. You’re now set up to use Office Web Apps. Above the files should be a small line of text that says, ‘Join our preview program to create, edit, view, and share Office documents online!’Ĭlick Join our preview program and then select Agree at the bottom of the end-user license agreement. Afterward, you’ll see a page showing the contents of your SkyDrive folder. Next, select a folder and upload the file you want to use from your desktop. All you need to get started is your Windows Live ID and a document to upload to Windows Live SkyDrive.įirst, go to, and click Add files above your SkyDrive folders. But you don’t need to wait until then: You can start using Office Web Apps right now.

They’re free, online versions of Microsoft’s popular Office programs–namely, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote–that you can access from a Web browser. Office Web Apps, currently in beta, are scheduled to go live June 15 when Microsoft Office 2010 hits store shelves.

Onenote gem navigation pane