In order to highlight the features of the Windows Live developer platform services we have developed a number of social networking sites featuring Windows Live, Hotmail and Messenger contacts data, Silverlight Streaming, Windows Live Spaces, Virtual Earth mapping, Windows Live Search, gadgets, authentication and much more.

There are two full working examples of the kind of web applications you can build using Windows Live services – The Contoso Bicycle Club, a membership site, keeping members up to date on news, routes, experiences, and The Contoso University, a site for students and staff to connect with the university events, social occasions, news etc, and both are fully operational.

To see in detail how much you can do with Windows Live and the features used, just click on one of the buttons below. Alternatively, why not take a complete tour around the two sites, by clicking on the appropriate link opposite.