I've read Om Malik and a bunch of other places talking about Windows Live, and how Microsoft is going to challenge Yahoo and Google for real. I don't get it.

What does this picture say to you?

It shouts "Confused Bureaucratic Legacy Mashup" to me. (And to a lesser extent: "Get a better fitting shirt for the rich dude in the corner.")

It also reminds me that every 5 years Microsoft picks a short word and gloms it on to all their branding. And confuses the hell outta everyone. Last time is was ".Net". Now, apparently it's "Live".

¶ 3/17/2006