LiveSide presents Questions and Requests, first off is SkyDrive

By Michael Gillett on November 23, 2011 9:20 AM

50 comments

Following my meeting with some of Microsoft UK’s Hotmail team last month it has been decided that the event was a great platform to provide feedback to the company through the questions and feature requests I took with me. Microsoft found this to be extremely useful and is therefore very keen to make this more of a regular exercise and so I am pleased to announce a new project from LiveSide which I’m dubbing “Questions and Requests”.

The plan for “Questions and Requests” is for me to liaise with Microsoft to let them know what you, the passionate users, actually think about its products and what new features you would like to see make an appearance. The information will be passed on to the relevant teams within Microsoft. Microsoft is keen to find out what new feedback they can get from the readers of Liveside and use this to shape future releases of products.

At the minute I’m not sure how often to run this feature but expect it to be either fortnightly or monthly. I will give a week for you to send your questions and requests in and then I shall pass them on to the various teams within Microsoft UK and once I have answers I will share them here.

One thing I would say is that please make sure to elaborate on questions and requests as it can be tricky to figure out the exact meaning of a question or request when only given a short sentence.

Seeing as Microsoft blogged about SkyDrive yesterday I think it makes sense to start with the service so please leave a comment or send me a tweet with your questions and requests for the SkyDrive team. I will be collating all the feedback towards the end of next week and will then pass it on to Microsoft.

I look forward to seeing what you guys think about SkyDrive, what questions you have about it and what requests you’d like to see implemented.

Posted in News | Tags: Questions and Requests, SkyDrive

Comments

http://www.flavors.me/warmth Daniel @warmth Delgado

I hate the fact that I have 25 Gb Skydrive space but I can only use 5 Gb for Live Mesh Sync :S

http://flavors.me/efelippe Evandro Felippe

Oh, yes, why not merge the Mesh with Skydrive for sync?
http://twitter.com/mike_halsey Mike Halsey (MVP)

One of the problems with this is that if people try it as a ‘free’ service and then never use it again Microsoft are still obligated to preserve the data in perpetuity. This is one of the reasons why they’ve so far been reluctant to expand Live Mesh storage.

http://profiles.yahoo.com/u/6G3ZZJCHOLYP3S5CRCIHQ7WDSE MVIM

Perhaps it could work like Hotmail where you have to log in once every few months to keep the account active? Then, offer a paid tier that raises the file size cap and/or storage limits, but also ensures my data is kept as long as my subscription stays active.

http://twitter.com/mike_halsey Mike Halsey (MVP)

That would be sensible

Anonymous

I think that a bigger issue is that of avoiding data corruption, when files are synced while simultaneously being edited in the web-browser or uploaded/replaced via the web interface. Keeping different revisions would be one way to handle this, but at the same time it has to be easy to understand for all users.

http://twitter.com/Henryed07 Henry Edwards

I want to be able to edit documents that are synced via live mesh within the Web Apps and not separate from the whole web apps system.
http://profiles.yahoo.com/u/6G3ZZJCHOLYP3S5CRCIHQ7WDSE MVIM

I agree with what Henry Edwards said, but as an extension of that can you inquire about the “Synced SkyDrive” not having an upload option,
as it did in the Live Desktop when it was branded Live Mesh? I truly
miss that convenience. This is the issue at hand:

There is no way to upload a file to Live Mesh after you edit it on a computer or phone without Live Mesh installed. I keep
my most important documents synced between my computers. So if I want to
edit one on my phone I have to download it through IE Mobile (because
the Office hub doesn’t work with the synced Live Mesh folders), make the
edit, then upload it back onto the other side of SkyDrive in a folder
called “To Synced SkyDrive” which then has to be emptied out and the files have to be distributed back into the appropriate Live Mesh folders next time I
get on the computer. It’s far more cumbersome than it should be.

http://twitter.com/Henryed07 Henry Edwards

Totally agree. They need to make it a lot easier to add files to SkyDrive – like drop box (never used it). That way if they market it correctly they will be able to get more users, as SkyDrive has more storage so easier access would be great too.

http://twitter.com/efjay01 Ef Jay

Will Microsoft continue to use the iphone as their lead development device for their services instead of WP7? Photosynth comes to mind.
http://doctorwhofan98.wordpress.com/ doctorwhofan98

When will we get better file sharing, devices integration and the ability to move files not created in a folder?
Anonymous

Option drag the objects into folders.

Synchronizing files in a device, platform improvements (such as the ability to upload multiple browsers) and the removal of the limitation of 100 MB per file.
Njoy33

Equivalent 25Gb Dropbox functionality + Web Apps = Better result!
http://twitter.com/dontok090308 Don Tucker

I want the ability to use Skydrive as a drive letter within Windows Explorer. Drag and drop file management and the ability to use Synctoy to automatically backup files I select with my Skydrive, but with the options that Synctoy offers like contribute. :)

Yo

+1.

Mounting Skydrive as a network drive is cumbersome nowadays, the information about free space is wrong, only Office docs can be uploaded via SSL, while the web interface allows to upload any file (what is that??). This should work like a regular network drive when mounted. And it shouldn’t be so sluggish.

Jon

What are the plans about Live Mesh? It’s a greate piece of software, especially if you want to sync documents across multiple devices… Will we be able to increase the 25GB limit? I think especially as Windows Phone user, you can fill 25GB easyly if you’re a power user…
http://profiles.yahoo.com/u/6G3ZZJCHOLYP3S5CRCIHQ7WDSE MVIM

Also, can the SkyDrive site be fixed to support the webOS browser? I mean, at least until Windows 8 comes out…haha As of now, it’s the only viable non-Google, non-Apple tablet solution.
Bbzippo

I already reported these issues, but I’d like to bring it to the attention of the team again:
http://windowslivehelp.com/thread.aspx?threadid=0f0e0108-d8ce-4fd8-9a95-df1ef01432a7&page=1
1. The “Get a Link” and “Send a Link” functions are not available for files located in subfolders.
2. When I share a file using “Embed” the user who clicks the Embed link is taken to the folder, and the target file is highlighted. This is very confusing: the user can’t figure out which file they were directed to. This is a major usability issue; I have to write additional instructions each time I share a file.
http://twitter.com/RandomStanYau Stanley Yau

Seems like merging the functionality between Live Mesh and SkyDrive is a pretty popular request… :)

I also note that someone else has already mentioned the removal of the 100MB limit, which is really no use for video files.

Being able to browse the files in SkyDrive (especially on your home PC) is also useful (this has also already been mentioned).

Finally – there needs to be a more streamlined security model – currently the way you add users and grant them various permissions is somewhat clunky…!
fukalot

i really need this:
full integration to system, sync libraries
sync 25GB, not just 5gigs /dont split photos, docs, etc. – all is just personal data/
i really need public folder and easy links for public sharking /like in dropbox/
incons of synced files and folders /like old mesh/
i dont need lot of features, but i need few features easy to use /like dropbox site, not like skydrive site/

make it part of win8 system. mesh with installation for everyone.

sync with mesh third part apps settings /not just office, Iexpolrer/

make mesh part of every win live app.
Brian Holmgren

They should remove the 100mb limit, make Live Mesh and SkyDrive the same thing and make it possible to open PDF files (both in SkyDrive and Hotmail active view). Web Apps are great but the final document is very often PDF. Also, it would be nice to be able to save a Word file from Word Web App as a PDF in SkyDrive and then share/send it without downloading anything.
aemmett

1. Skydrive should definately be mountable as a network drive. People understand drive letters. Loads of people have USB keys and they easily understand how to copy files & folders. Give them this simple concept and Cloud storage suddenly makes a lot more sense and is easier to use. MS can do this in SharePoint, why not in Skydrive. Jesus, even a 3rd party, gladinet.com, can do it. The limitations you impose drive people away from what cold be amazing tools. If it needed a client, why not distribute with Windows Live Essentails.

2. Just allow all 25GB to be synced using Mesh. The limitation to 5GB is pathetic and MS said recently that only a small amount of sync space is used for the majority of users. Thats because its not enough. I have 8GB of photos I want to backup. I used to use mesh before I hit the 5GB amount, and I still do, but I no longer sync to the cloud. I sync between my home PC and my work laptop. The limitation is actually driving me away from live mesh and skydrive. And BTW, the upload feature of Live Photo Gallery is useless too. I just want to back up my photos, not publish them for everyone to see. The strategy of MS wanting us to use it’s stuff is all arse about face. Just because you have some great new feature, MS techies think they should force us to use it a certain way. I you want us to use your tools, then make is easy for us to put information into the cloud, and then let us do what we want with it. Then add your features to enable us to do more…
Jon

Another thing I’m really interested in is the integration of groups. Will it be possible to restirct write-access of specific documents to certain people only?
http://flavors.me/efelippe Evandro Felippe

Desktop client (for Windows at least).
Lbastos

make it easier to decide who has access to my skydrive folders. Too complex now.
Guest

I want MS to stop wasting time with focus groups so they can say their “listening” and start building best in class products. Apple doesn’t run focus groups. They look at what their product was meant to achieve and when it doesn’t. like MobileMe, they acknowledge it internally, quickly, and set about fixing it like they have with iCloud.

MS shouldn’t need me or anyone else to point out the deficiencies of even the new and improved SkyDrive+ Mesh. I’ll bet anyone on the team, and particularly the grunts, can list 50 things it should do differently or could do better. But some PM knows better. Or probably 10 PMs all fighting with each other.

Just fix it. MS was YEARS ahead and now they’re behind. Again.

Build the product you’d want to use yourselves. If you’re at all like most people outside of MS, it sure wouldn’t be the current incarnation. /rant

markiz

Perfect answer.

Vjv87

Will sky drive UI go metro?

http://doctorwhofan98.wordpress.com/ doctorwhofan98

They redesigned the UI from scratch back in June – they won’t be redesigning it for a while now. And I actually really like the new look.

Anonymous

SkyDrive should act as a brand for the location of all the users web-stored
digital content:

Xbox is launching cloud game saves. Why is Xbox using a generic “cloud” brand
instead of SkyDrive and why are game saves not viewable (if not managable) from
a SkyDrive Games Hub?

Zune streams the entire music marketplace to the Xbox, PC, and Phone via Zune
Pass. Why can’t users sort and refine the marketplace and make their own cloud
based collection (making it easy to find content they like without having to
search for it)? And why is such a service not viewable (if not managable) from a
SkyDrive Music Hub?

Zune streams movies and television shows purchased through the service to the
Xbox and PC. Why can’t users view, manage, and play their collections through a
SkyDrive Videos Hub?

Why can’t I see SkyDrive pictures on my Xbox in a Pictures Hub?

Why can’t I view (ONLY) PowerPoint presentations on my Xbox in an Office Hub?
< < (admitedly not pressing but would be a fun (free) MS-ecosystem app for
the Xbox)
Paul W

Like a lot of people have already mentioned I would like the whole Mesh/Skydrive system merged so it is possible to sync/backup folders not only between devices but also to the cloud. I am currently using Trend Micro’s Safe Sync (formally Humyo) but if Microsoft offered the same thing but with closer integration with all their hardware (PC/Phone/Xbox) and software (Hotmail/Messenger/Skype) then I would happily change providers.
The possability of increasing the 25GB limit would also be extremely useful. (I have around 50Gb of photo’s and music, and I’m sure that’s not very much compared to other users).If syncing isn’t available the ability to upload entire folder structures rather than individual files would be so much more user friendly.Access to Skydrive from my Xbox would also be good for viewing photo’s, listening to music whilst playing games.
http://twitter.com/vzczc Øystein Johnsen

1. Integrate SkyDrive and Live Mesh
2. Make it possible to purchase more storage
3. Remove file size limitations
4. With Windows 8 for ARM. Offer hosting of a X86 Virtual Machine in the cloud with direct access to the users skydrive. This would be a killer application for tablet users and allow running native applications virtually.

Guest

Yeah, #4 especially is one of those ones where you wonder why hasn’t MS done this?

http://gcoupe.wordpress.com Geoff Coupe

The current iteration of SkyDrive is a step backwards for photographers. See:
http://gcoupe.wordpress.com/2011/11/23/the-pitfalls-of-design/
http://www.guillaumeb.com/ GuillaumeB

- Universal synchronisation mechanism buit right in the file Explorer like Dropbox with support of Windows, Mac but also Linux
And Again like Dropbox, make it like a client not an application
- Storage upgrades
- Selective sync
-fast upload
- incremental updates
- restoration tools
- API to bring this right into third paty application for automatique backup

Peter Henkel

^THIS!^

http://twitter.com/pljwebb Paul Webb

Live Mesh has to be expanded to encompass the whole of SkyDrive, it’s useless to me otherwise. I would love to use SkyDrive more and get the rest of my family involved too but as it is it just doesn’t work well enough.

PJ

Further to that some sort of family/group Skydrive feature could be useful, so individuals users have access and the ability to sync files stored in a group across their devices to save each user having to upload the files separately or needing a ‘master’ user.

Guest

If SkyDrive is used as part of the greater ecosystem of Live Profiles (along with contacts, Skype, favorite stuff, hotmail and -a new- calendar) it can be greater than iCloud.

Now, specifically for SkyDrive:
they have to make it work like Dropbox(YES, I use it, it makes my life simpler, especially on iPhone), give us a nice desktop folder(/application) with drag’n'drop BUT instead of autosynch, make it work as mirror(/shortcut): notify of the new uploaded stuff, let me see it IF there is internet access, but do not auto-save it in the local drive unless I choose to!

Oh, also it would be nice to give the option of choosing which of my contacts to be notified in their Live Profile page with a short message along with a small photo for my new uploads.
Noel

Make it possible to acquire a direct link to a public SkyDrive asset, for example to a photo to place on a blog or a screenshot to include in a forum post. And make such links short enough to be manageable. Even a GUID would be preferable to the shortest we can manage at present:�
http://public.bay.livefilestore.com/y1pq3aWpkNKzHDX8VHojhP6banPBgXraYeO3Nyl_e7ljedqaNkxzktzcE42RyHqN9X4C-LsZ5p54GvmqMHZExk7EA/favicon.ico
Noel

Make it possible to use Internet Explorer’s zoom feature to take a closer look at image files. At present, size is maximized at something less than 100% zoom and gets less whether you zoom in or out of the page.
Chris Barth

Allow me to specify a certain amount of space whereby my most recently accessed/edited files in Mesh are automatically in SkyDrive. This way I can always get a copy of my latest files and my latest files can always sync with Mesh even if the computer where the changes were made is off.
http://twitter.com/mike_halsey Mike Halsey (MVP)

If you use the Hotmail Connector with Outlook it can take many hours to sync all your email, this is because of ever-balooning email folders and, most significantly, attachments. It would be great if Hotmail auto-archived all attachments in email over six months old into named folders in Skydrive (named after the sender presumably) replacing the attachment in the email with a link. This would also need to work with Sent Item attachments as well.
http://twitter.com/djysrv Dan Yurman

I think Microsoft does not get it. Skydrive under Windows XP is crippleware. Under Windows 7 it is barely functional. Now the firm says the real value is in a future operating system. This approach is not delivering value to the customer. It is protecting Microsoft’s Sharepoint and other enterprise storage solutions from cannibalization by a consumer product. It is good business for Microsoft and just empty hype for home office users.
Brian Holmgren

Web Apps should get real collaboration on documents, like Google’s version. It’s great when you can see what other people are writting in real time.

One thing that can not be repeated to much, join Live Mesh and SkyDrive. Both are OK but they will be a whole lot better together.
Bartłomiej Trzewiczek

More free space. 25GB is quite small for me. Some time ago, I read that Microsoft is planning improve unlimited space for photos – that’s great idea and I would like to see it in SkyDrive as soon as it’s possible.
Brian Holmgren

Would love to see an extension of Web Apps, like Photo Gallery online. If they manage to have SkyDrive and Synced storage the same as well as giving unlimited space for photos and documents, it would be great to organize and find the photos from any computer.
http://twitter.com/mannar Mannar

- Sky Drive should be linked to Zune. For instance Zune should be able to stream all my music from Skydrive. (Private Cloud for Zune powered by SkyDrive). Please don’t tell me about Zune pass, I am an international user, most of the local music never makes it to Zune.
- Sky Drive should be what my local drive is, all the data on the cloud. A very easy explorer style navigation just like Dropbox.
markiz

1 Make the “Photos” and “Documents” act like user managed libraries in W7. So when i move all my picture albums in a folder named Photos or pictures to avoid mess in root folder, i can still opt to see them in “Photos”.

2 Ability to drop folders, not only files

3 Ability to play music+video files directly in skydrive

4 Windows 7 right click context menu integration

5 Up the 100MB per file limit (720P shots whit WP)
Anonymous

Can Skydrive now search for non-Office documents at least based on the file name? e.g. Search for [chart] to match Flowchart.sdr and Chartreuse.pdf. If not this feature would be really useful.

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