While installing the new MS (Microsoft) live messenger I encountered the platform I am trying right now - Windows live writer.
The over all feel is nice, MS feel but still, familiar and smooth.
Installation was also easy and configuring my blog and user was also easy.
Downfalls: They just don’t learn… MS got a great new product out there - office 2007 with a complete new user 
interface method, this is based on the old UI and that is taking a step back, entering an Image and manipulating it was easy, but not consistent with the new method - on the right of the interface.
Can’t see code? what a shame…
A lot of bloggers like their code, and manipulate it, it is part of the task flow:
I write -> embed code -> write some more…
The carryover from other blog editing (especially web based) tools is apparent by the text editing tool, and the non friendly text behavior (can’t move the pic around with the arrows?) but when writing on a pc client I would expect more.
Took me some searching to be able to play with font size.
Good stuff - MS style, there is 3 ways (or more) to do every action and the options compared to other tools out there are far greater.
One thing that is not apparent at first are the plug-ins. this is a very broad.
Bottom line - A lot of "MS going for free code" is going around… This all platform is that, the addons are suppose to be by "users/ free developers. A lot of marketing and features, again experience is lacking.
3 comments ↓
You can edit the HTML code by going to ‘View’->’HTML Code’ or using the hotkey Shift+f11.
You can view code in the view menu… thats true,
but it’s not as friendly as some writers that use bottom tabs (see for example flock blog writer).
As for user experience, you would expect some consistency to other writers in the market,
As a blogger - I would expect easy transfer from web layout to code and back again, without opening a menu.
Open source alternative:
http://www.ubuntugeek.com/blogging-from-ubuntu-using-drivel.html
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