Windows Live Writer is a desktop application that, according to Microsoft, makes it easier to compose compelling blog posts using Windows Live Spaces or your current blog service.

Blogging has turned the web into a two-way communications medium. Microsoft's goal in creating Writer is to "help make blogging more powerful, intuitive, and fun for everyone".

Writer has lots of features which Microsoft hope make for a better blogging experience. Some of the ones they are most excited about include:

• WYSIWYG Authoring
• Photo Publishing
• Map Publishing
• Writer SDK
  

More details and download from http://windowslivewriter.spaces.live.com/

Map Publishing

Whatever you are blogging about, maps are a great help in engaging the imagination of your readers. You can do this using Writer's ability to insert a Windows Live Local map directly into a post.

The map can be customized directly within Writer - including changing the view to show road, aerial or bird's eye detail and by adding pushpins (including custom links and/or photos for each pushpin).

When readers click on the map they get a larger view on the Windows Live Local site.