之前我提到了Google已经公开了众多的API，让开发人员可以有机会使用他们的服务。对于这一点，微软一定比我们更加清楚。我们来看看微软的应对之道
http://msdn.microsoft.com/zh-cn/library/bb264574(en-us).aspx
The following SDKs and APIs are available to Windows Live developers.
Windows Live Contacts API - Beta 1.0 — The Windows Live Contacts API is an HTTP-based service that enables developers to programmatically submit queries to, and retrieve results from, the Windows Live Contacts Address Book database.
Windows Live Messenger Library — The Windows Live Messenger Library enables you to add instant messaging capabilities from inside your Web site.
Windows Live Messenger IM Control — The Windows Live Messenger IM Control enables Web sites to show the presence of Windows Live Messenger users, and enable site visitors to engage in instant messaging conversations with the Messenger users.
Windows Live Presence API — The Windows Live Presence API is an HTTP-based API that returns a Windows Live Messenger user's presence, using JavaScript Object Notation (JSON) or an image.
Virtual Earth Map Control SDK — Virtual Earth™ provides the power behind Live Search Maps, an online mapping service that enables users to search, discover, explore, plan, and share information about specific locations. By using traditional road maps, labeled aerial photo views, low-angle high-resolution aerial photos and proximity-searching capabilities, Virtual Earth provides varied opportunities for developers to incorporate both location and local search features into their Web applications. The Virtual Earth map control SDK consists of a complete set of reference topics of the Virtual Earth map control API. Virtual Earth Map Control SDK, version 3.2, Virtual Earth Map Control SDK, version 4.0, and Virtual Earth Map Control SDK, version 5.0 are provided to support developers using an earlier version of the map control who have not migrated to version 6.0.
Microsoft MapPoint Web Service — Microsoft MapPoint Web Service is a hosted, programmable Web service that enables you to integrate high-quality maps, driving directions, distance calculations, proximity searches, and other location intelligence into your applications, business processes, and Web sites.
Live Search API, Version 1.1b — The Live Search Web Service is an XML Web service with a SOAP API. The Search Web Service enables you to submit queries to, and return results from, the Live Search Engine. The Search section also features articles that cover a variety of technical topics and coding techniques for the Live Search developer.
Windows Live ID SDK — The Windows Live ID service (formerly known as the Passport Network) is the identity and authentication system provided by Windows Live. The Windows Live ID Client 1.0 SDK enables you to start developing identity-aware client applications that make use of this powerful technology and its enormous user base. With the Windows Live ID Delegated Authentication SDK for Application Providers, you can request users' permission to put their data to work for them in new ways. And the Windows Live ID Web Authentication SDK provides a platform-independent interface to the Windows Live ID service, so you can verify the identity of visitors to your Web site. Finally, for an introduction to Windows Live ID and more information about some of its features, see Windows Live ID Articles.
Silverlight Streaming SDK — Microsoft Silverlight™ Streaming service is a free online hosting service for Silverlight-based applications and media. The Microsoft Silverlight Streaming SDK provides documentation that enables you to create and optimize Silverlight-based applications for Silverlight Streaming, and package video files for upload to the service.
Microsoft adCenter API — The Microsoft adCenter API enables you to create applications that create and manage adCenter campaigns, orders, keywords, and ads. Using adCenter API, you also can obtain the status of orders, keywords and ads, pause and resume orders, generate keyword estimates and reports about campaign performance, and perform order targeting.
Windows Live Alerts SDK — The Windows Live Alerts SDK, version 2.5b, enables developers familiar with SOAP to programmatically integrate with the Alerts notification service and perform administrative tasks that are unavailable using the Windows Live Alerts Web site.
Windows Live Agents SDK, version 5.0 — The Windows Live Agents SDK provides everything you need to develop your own interactive Windows Live Agents — a smart computer application that operates over text messaging networks. An agent (formerly called a Buddy) interacts with people by using natural language interactions. People can ask questions of the agent, and the agent responds with information. Agents can be developed for practically any kind of content, such as services or entertainment news.
Windows Live Custom Domains SDK — The Windows Live Admin Center SDK, version 3.5, enables developers to programmatically manage their Windows Live Admin Center user base by means of a Web service. This SDK is intended for customers and partners who want to accomplish programmatically many of the administration tasks available on the Windows Live Admin Center Web site, as well as tasks that are unavailable on the site, such as importing and exporting user lists.
Windows Live Expo API - Windows Live Expo API defines a set of Web services enabling customers to programmatically access the Expo classifieds listings database - a collection of location-tagged classifieds listings in categories such as merchandise, real estate, autos, jobs, and commercial services.
Windows Live Messenger Activity SDK — The Windows Live Messenger Activity SDK contains technical information about how to develop and test single-user and multi-user applications by using the Activity object model. The SDK also provides detailed information about development and testing requirements that your Activity must meet and how to increase the usage of your Messenger Activity application.
Introduction to Windows Live Spaces APIs and Feeds — The Windows Live Spaces APIs and Feeds documentation provides reference material for developers interested in integrating with Windows Live Spaces. This information provides guidance for consuming APIs and feeds within the Spaces development platform. Additional information about developing on the Windows Live Spaces platform can be found at http://dev.live.com/spaces/.
Windows Live Spaces MetaWeblog API — The MetaWeblog API programming interface enables external programs to get and set the text and attributes of weblog posts. The API uses the XML-RPC protocol for communication between client applications and the weblog server.
Windows Live Toolbar Custom Button SDK — The Windows Live Toolbar Custom Button SDK shows how you can extend Toolbar with custom buttons. This SDK provides an overview of how users can install publicly available buttons and create their own, simple buttons. Most of this SDK, however, shows how you can use XML to create more sophisticated custom buttons and how you can distribute them to users.
Windows Live Writer SDK — Two sets of APIs are provided in this beta version of the SDK. The Application API launches Writer to create new posts or Blog This items for links, snippets, images, and feed items. The Content Source Plugin API extends the capabilities of Writer to insert, edit, and publish new types of content. The SDK documentation contained in this version is preliminary. The documentation will be extended in a future release.
