UMSL’s Switch to Windows Live

Recently UMSL made a switch in e-mail services from MyGateway to Windows Live.  The main reason for this change seems to be the same as the principle added benefit to the students – additional space (50 MB vs. the original 10 GB provided by My Gateway).  Windows Live also provides the following services; Windows Live SkyDrive, Windows Live Groups, Windows Live Messenger Windows Live Toolbar, Windows Live Photo, Microsoft Office Live Workspace, and Windows Live Spaces.  There may even be added benefits for UMSL to have students and faculty use Windows Live over MyGateway such as having more room on their own server and less problems by having less run through MyGateway.  Either way, there seems to be many advantages to making the switch, but not much has been said about the disadvantages of switching to Windows Live as a student.  While the negatives may seem few and insignificant, I felt they should still be addressed.

In my opinion over the past two months of using Windows Live in place of MyGateway, I have noticed the following issues:

1.  You still need MyGateway

Windows Live doesn’t replace MyGateway.  Students and faculty still need My Gateway to find information about their classes (syllabi, schedules, announcements, assignments, grades, and more).  So Windows Live is just another website that students have to routinely check for information.  In that way it’s an inconvenience because it was nice when MyGateway could be used for everything.

2.  Passwords for MyGateway need to be changed

Passwords for MyGateway need to be updated, I believe, every semester.  Windows Live passwords do not.  So it’s more difficult to keeping passwords straight just by the virtue of adding another one to keep track of.  Otherwise you need to change your Windows Live password every time you change your MyGateway password (probably not much trouble, but more than there was before).

3.  Change require adjustment

Getting used to a new e-mail format takes a little time.  And while it’s natural to be resistant to change, the funny thing is it might only be perception.  Example: When I switched jobs in 2006, I had to go from using Microsoft Office to Lotus.  I didn’t like Lotus for a while because I felt it offered less and didn’t like how it worked compared to Office.  So I complained for a while how Office was way better.  But eventually I got used to Lotus and forgot what I even liked about Office.  But last year when my company finally switched to Office I didn’t like it at first.  It wasn’t the way I remembered, and I didn’t see any advantages; only a new system to get used to, even though I was looking forward to going back to Office.  It wasn’t until recently when I forgot what Lotus was like that I got used to Office again.  So this point would maybe be moot in another month or so if we weren’t constantly reminding ourselves what MyGateway was like (see #1).

4.  Multiple Windows Live accounts

I’ve had a Hotmail account since 1998.  It was my first e-mail account.  I rarely use it anymore aside from using it as an alternate anytime I need to give out an e-mail address for something that isn’t that important.  But I do check it once every week or so to make sure there’s nothing important in my inbox.  I can’t remember when Microsoft acquired Hotmail, but since I had to switch to Windows for UMSL I have trouble going back and forth from one account to the other.  There’s a good chance that I just don’t know the best way to do it, but nevertheless; it exists now as a minor inconvenience (although not so big to force me to research how to avoid it).

To sum up, although it may not seem like it, I’m fine with the change.  That is to say, I’m not going to protest the University to go back to offering MyGateway for e-mail.  To be honest, I was never crazy about MyGateway either.  It seemed very basic and didn’t seem to be extremely user friendly.  But at the same time, I’m not saying that I didn’t get used to it.  I’m also not saying that I won’t get used to Windows Live. 

I don’t mean to sound like I’m complaining about the switch, I’m just saying that thus far I’ve seen more inconveniences that advantages.  And I don’t fault the University either.  It seems like they made a concerted effort to provide more space and services for the students.  It seems obvious that any student would more than welcome the switch.  I actually I have little doubt that if I had any significant use for any of the new services provided by Windows Live, I would feel differently.  But so far it’s just been a minor pain.  Perhaps it’s just me.  I’ve never really liked change.  And reviews like these generally make it seem like Windows Live is really pretty good; http://www.winsupersite.com/reviews/winlive_hotmail.asp , http://www.laptopmag.com/review/software/windows-live.aspx,   http://mailcall.spaces.live.com/blog/cns!CC9301187A51FE33!37302.entry?sa=752874371, but for now, from my perspective, it’s all relative.