Just announced as of today: June 24, 2009

Sugar Labs™, nonprofit provider of the software that runs the “One Laptop Per Child” (OLPC) computers (over one-million children worldwide got one thus far), is giving away a version that runs on a USB Stick (works with standard flash memory USB drive) = “Sugar on a Stick” (version 1, aka, ‘Strawberry’)

“Sugar on a Stick” can be loaded onto an ordinary 1GB USB flash drive and used to reboot any PC or netbook directly into the operating system on the USB stick. It can (if desired) also work with a School Server in order to provide content distribution, homework collection, backup services, Moodle integration, and filtered access to the Internet. Today’s Strawberry release is meant for classroom testing

Sugar on a Stick is a great way to try Sugar without touching your computer’s hard disk. It is also well suited to slower, older PCs and low-powered netbooks.

• Video: http://tr.im/pC51
• FREE Download: http://tr.im/pCaB
• Storyboard: http://tr.im/pCbg
• Screenshots: http://tr.im/pCcd
• Announcement: http://tr.im/pCfX

(Online, Anytime, Anywhere, Just in Time, Free of Charge)

There are (as of Feb. 18th, 2009) currently 4 related free services offered by Microsoft.
I have created a small summary of each below, which may help clarify the differences.
Note that each of these are unique, separate services, and do not interconnect with each other.
Most analysts presume that at least some of these services will merge in the near future.

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Windows Live SkyDrive:

FEATURES:

• 25 GB online storage
• Max size per file 50 MB
• All types of files supported
• No install required, access from any browser, any computer
• Optional tool to drag from explorer
• no sync between computers
• Mac & PC support
• Integrated Live services (eg. Live Photos)

ABOUT: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Live_SkyDrive
ACTUAL SITE: http://skydrive.live.com/

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Windows Live Sync:

FEATURES:

• Mac & PC support
• no online storage, install is required
• sync only, with remote file access
• Up to 20 folders, 20,000 files (each file max 4 GB)
• Integrated Live services (eg. Live Photos)

ABOUT: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Live_Sync
ACTUAL SITE: https://sync.live.com/welcome.aspx
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Windows Live Mesh:

FEATURES:

• 5 GB online storage
• FULL Remote Desktop control (PC only)
• After initial setup, no install required, access from any browser, any computer
• Sync folders between computers/devices to online
• Privately or Publicly share access to folders
• Mac & PC support, plus Cell Phone w/Windows Mobile 6.1 up

ABOUT: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Live_Mesh
ACTUAL SITE: https://www.mesh.com/Welcome/default.aspx
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Microsoft Office Live:

FEATURES:

• 500 MB online storage, >1,000 “documents”
• Max individual document size 25 MB
• Competitor & similar to Docs.Google.com
• Create & edit Word, Excel, PowerPoint online inside browser
• Private or public sharing
• Mac & PC support
• No install required, access from any browser, any computer
• Optional download integrates with installed Office (open from, save to, online)
• Sync Outlook contacts, tasks, events, etc.
• Many additional functions & uses for fee-service (Small Business)

ABOUT: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Office_Live
ACTUAL SITE: http://workspace.office.live.com
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UPDATE: October 6, 2010

Well, today (Oct. 6th, 2010) I was just sort of fiddling around on my lunch break today, logged into Live Sync, and got this message:

Windows Live Mesh 2011 is replacing Windows Live Sync, and new users can’t download Sync anymore. In early 2011, this website will be shut down and your files will stop syncing

… and then there were 3, sort of.  You see, it appears that Office Live and Live Skydrive saw the impending demolition of Live Sync by Live Mesh, and so they have joined forces, so that now Office works hand in hand with Skydrive.  In fact, there are actually two different versions still operating online of both Mesh and Skydrive now.  The difference is that “Windows Live Mesh” is designed for Windows 7, and thus your XP boxes won’t be able to install it (and are stuck with “Live Mesh” or just “Mesh”).  It’s really IRRITATING the way that MS screws with these names huh?  It’s their way of saying,

Hey, product ’X.2′ will be taking the place of product ‘X.1′.  We are calling them “DIFFERENT PRODUCTS” even though the names are nearly identical, and even though the underlying code, user interface, functionality, distribution channels, and many other things are nearly identical also.  In fact, it’s really just a slight update of the code, but we couldn’t figure out a way to make it backwards compatible, and you know that’s our bread and butter (slamming out silly updates with a few interface changes every other year), so we compromised.

I’ve used (off and on) all of these programs for several years now, both in collaboration with research partners, and in classroom/work settings.  I personally like Sync better just because it consumed fewer CPU cycles, and caused less HELL for me (Good God Almighty!), when I had to FIX problems.   I guess Sync and Skydrive are now being gobbled up by Mesh too though (based on what I’m seeing now). 

But back to my story.  Sometime early this year, after running Sync, Mesh and Gbridte simultaneously for about 6 months, I eventually switched to Gbridge, which has been working fine for me.  So now I’m just waiting a bit to see what happens next, but always open to switching to whatever works best.  Thus far, Gbridge has set the bar really high, IMHO.  Analogous to Android (relative to iPhone w/iTunesHell), the learning curve is higher at first, but Gbridge’s final returned value to the power user is much higher than other products I’ve tested (including me.com).

I will say that I think MS is on track to get the formula right though, by merging much of these systems together.  It seems that Windows Live Mesh is set to eventually gobble up Skydrive, Sync, and Office Live storage online.  In fact, I was able to choose to sync my Windows Live Mesh folder on Win 7 to use Live Skydrive for online storage, where Office Live also stores focs for me.  The big question still lingering for me though, is that we can all anticipate XP boxes being around for a long time to come… so, what’s that going to do, if the new versions of Live products are NOT backwards compatible?

Here are the “Facts” being reported:

• Speed 40 GBPS w/new modulation technique over fiber
• Routers 1,240 miles apart, no intervening transponders
• Karlstad Stadsnät (local council’s network arm & owner of Network)
• Hafsteinn Jonsson (Mgr & network boss)
• Sigbritt Lothberg (mother of cisco engineer, Swedish internet legend)
• Peter Löthberg (cisco engineer)
• Karlstad Sweden (location)

Please let me know if anyone find out some explanation of how this new modulation technique works.

I wonder if this guy has been reading stuff like this?

http://www.patentstorm.us/patents/7158289-description.html

(Long URL, to another interesting paper)