domains Considering a move to start using Live Domains

[DeaconFrost88]

I see that Microsoft is allowing a person to use their service and website but keep their own domain name for e-mail, calendar, etc. Microsoft doesn't give much in the way of instructions or explanations. I know Google does this with Gmail, but it leaves me with a few questions.

1. I have my own domain name, so I am set there. However, I have existing e-mail accounts that I want to keep. Will this be a problem?

2. I know I have to change the MX records on my domain registrar...so I can expect a small amount of downtime, right?

3. Going forward, would I use the Live.com website for checking my messages? I would assume I'd add our account to smartphones using the

Hotmail/Live option as well?

4. Once this is complete, am I correct in saying I wouldn't use my web-hosts website anymore to access my accounts, but would instead log in to Hotmail?

5. If so, would this give me something akin to an Exchange setup, where I could have contacts and calendar events available at any computer I log in, to, right?

6. Would all of this info still be available on my Android phone?

[TAZMINATOR]

1. No problem as long as you save accounts by using export/import the data if possible. If you are talking about the messages, then save them on to computer or print them all. Or forward them to yourself to your alternative acct.

2. No downtime as long as you add 2 extra records then after 24 or 48 hours, remove the old ones. If it doesn't allow you to add extra 2 records, then replace them and expect small downtime.

3. Yes.

4. Yes.

5. Probably but I have not tried since I use contacts and calendars on other provider.

6. Yes.

[jordanspringer]

It is similar to Exchange in the fact that Hotmail will sync perfectly with Outlook. All your email/contacts/calendar events get sync'd over the air with Hotmail. Hotmail also uses ActiveSync technology which allows you to sync email/contacts/calendar to your iPhone/Android with no problems. If you have a Blackberry you probably have to use IMAP or POP but don't quote me on it.

I use Windows Live Custom Domains with Outlook on 3 PC's and my iPhone, with no problems. I don't believe it is as powerful as Google Apps when it comes down to managing users but if it is just for yourself, who cares? Another thing is you can't setup an alias with your custom domain, they need to be @hotmail.com. To get around this you can create a new account and forward it. Hotmail lets you use as many email accounts as you wish, Google Apps free only allows 10. Also, for the same "Exchange like" syncing to Outlook, it isn't free with Google. You need a business account which is $5/user/month.

If you want TRUE Exchange, go with Microsoft Office 365. For $4 a month/user you can have true Exchange in the cloud.

[funkydude]

I had no idea this was possible, where are the options/information for/about this?

[jordanspringer]

Here is more information: http://explore.live....ve-admin-center

Here is where you can get started: http://domains.live.com

Another great feature about Windows Live custom domains is you get 25GB of online storage with Skydrive, and free use of the Microsoft Word/Excel web apps. You also get 5GB of 'Dropbox like' folder syncing with folders on your PC and SkyDrive

If you were asking about Office365 Exchange: http://www.microsoft...bid=-1jwWcrWSqX

[Sir Topham Hatt]

See I sort of use this but in an easier way.

I set my website address (IE: [email protected]) as a forwarding address to [email protected]

Then I set up the [email protected] address in Hotmail to be a valid address and go through the validation for it.

I can reply in Hotmail "from" [email protected] and users don't know it's coming from Hotmail. It used to say in the from field "From: [email protected] on behalf of [email protected]" but the emails don't do this anymore.

Although to be more accurate, I use GMail in the same way.

This also works easily in Windows Live Mail, or Windows Play Mail, whatever they're renaming it to :p

If I get an email to [email protected], then that is the email which replies. If it comes in to another email address, it is that email address which by default replies.

[jordanspringer]

See I sort of use this but in an easier way.

I set my website address (IE: [email protected]) as a forwarding address to [email protected]

Then I set up the [email protected] address in Hotmail to be a valid address and go through the validation for it.

I can reply in Hotmail "from" [email protected] and users don't know it's coming from Hotmail. It used to say in the from field "From: [email protected] on behalf of [email protected]" but the emails don't do this anymore.

Although to be more accurate, I use GMail in the same way.

This also works easily in Windows Live Mail, or Windows Play Mail, whatever they're renaming it to :p

If I get an email to [email protected], then that is the email which replies. If it comes in to another email address, it is that email address which by default replies.

Yes that works just as easily, but it is nice not having to set up forwards and use delegates for everything. Also you can set Windows Live Domains to use your own URL for email/contacts/skydrive/calendar sites. The added customization goes a long way for me, giving it a feeling that it is a true email server. (IE: mail.CustomDomain.com takes you to email, cal.CustomDomain.com takes you to Calendar)

[DeaconFrost88]

The $4 Office 365 Exchange seems like an option that I wasn't aware of. Would that service allow me to keep my domain name in the e-mail address, or would that also require a hotmail or live.com address?

[jordanspringer]

You keep your own Domain name with Office 365. You point your DNS MX records for your domain to Office365.

[UseLess]

I am somewhat confused as to what this service offers exactly. Am i correct in the assumption that this allows you to have a Hotmail email account, however have it @mydomain.com, instead of @hotmail.com? (so for example [email protected], accessible from Hotmail, and addable to outlook/WLM/WP as a Hotmail account)

[Japlabot]

I am somewhat confused as to what this service offers exactly. Am i correct in the assumption that this allows you to have a Hotmail email account, however have it @mydomain.com, instead of @hotmail.com? (so for example [email protected], accessible from Hotmail, and addable to outlook/WLM/WP as a Hotmail account)

Yes.

I have used Live Custom Domains and Google Apps and Google Apps win hands down. The only Benefit of Live Custom Domains over Google Apps is if you want Outlook syncing for free instead of $50/year for each user on the domain. Also Google Apps charge per MAILBOX, not per alias, so if it is just one person then $50/year is your total cost with unlimited aliases.

Also I believe that custom domains is being phased out as Was office live small business