Mr. Gates – Tear Down These Walls: Why MSN Live Spaces should post comments without registration

Dear Bill, and the Live Spaces team

I have been a fan of Microsoft ever since I was in diapers – well almost since.

I was(am) still your biggest fan through all your ups and downs. As a former developer and now a product management and marketing veteran – I continue to be in awe of how you pull things off. I have even pulled over, stepped out and kissed the sidewalk in your Redmond campus.

And I am an unabashed fan of MSN Live Spaces even though I had a lot initial bugs with Windows Live Writer and MSN Live Spaces. The developers in your discussion groups and your support team were outstanding.

BUT – and here is the BIG BUT…

The one truly dumb idea, that I have a hard time even comprehending, requires anyone who posts comments to regsiter on Windows Live.

And that is a truly indefensible certified dumb idea. It is so indefensible I can only assume you have one of those weeny marketing guys or weasely management consulting types feeding you slideware on “walled garden” strategies.

Well this is not a walled garden – it is a prison compound. Even the Berlin Wall allowed you to spray graffiti without joining the Communist Party. And I can tell you a million reasons why you need to fix this fast.

So get with the plan, be the Mcirosoft that I always admired and continue to admire.

To paraphrase my hero Ronald Reagan – “Mr. Chairman - tear down these walls!”

Dee Sree, Private and Free Citizen.