.NET My Services

Microsoft HailStorm
A sample toast notification utilizing .NET Alerts to provide information about traffic conditions.
OwnerMicrosoft
CommercialYes
LaunchedAbandoned

.NET My Services (codenamed Hailstorm[1][2]) is an abandoned collection of XML-based Web services by Microsoft for storing and retrieving information.[3][4] NET My Services was announced on March 19, 2001 as part of Microsoft's .NET initiative and was intended to rely on what was then known as a Microsoft Passport, a single sign-in web service now referred to as a Microsoft account.[4][5][6]

.NET My Services was a platform intended to facilitate the storage and retrieval of user-related information, such as contacts, calendar information, and e-mail messages, by allowing it to be accessed from a centralized repository across various applications and device types, including traditional desktop PCs, and mobile devices such as laptops, mobile phones, PDAs, and tablet PCs;[3] access to this stored information would be based solely on user discretion.[4] The technology would rely on a subscription-based business model.[7]

Although the technology required a Microsoft Passport, it was based on cross-platform, open standard web services, including SOAP, UDDI, and WS-Discovery, which enabled interoperability with compatible systems without requiring Microsoft Windows.[4]

After .NET My Services was announced on March 19, 2001, Microsoft intended for it to reach broad developer availability at that year's Professional Developers Conference, with a subsequent end-user release scheduled for 2002.[7] However, due to industry concerns related to anti-competitive behavior and end-user privacy, the company ultimately abandoned the initiative before it could fully materialize.[8]

  1. ^ Microsoft. ".NET My Services Overview". .NET My Services Family Home. Archived from the original on 2002-06-11. Retrieved May 5, 2015.
  2. ^ Egger, Markus. "Introducing .NET My Services". EPS Software. Code Magazine. Retrieved May 5, 2015.
  3. ^ a b Hess, Robert (May 14, 2001). "A Quick Introduction to HailStorm". MSDN. Microsoft. Retrieved May 5, 2015.
  4. ^ a b c d Microsoft. ".NET My Services Frequently Asked Questions". Microsoft. Archived from the original on December 21, 2001. Retrieved May 5, 2015.
  5. ^ Microsoft (March 19, 2001). "'HailStorm' on the Horizon". MSDN. Retrieved May 5, 2015.
  6. ^ Microsoft (March 19, 2001). "Microsoft's Bill Gates Previews New 'HailStorm' Technologies to Usher In New Era of More Consistent, Personalized and User-Centric Experiences". News Center. Retrieved May 5, 2015.
  7. ^ a b Microsoft (November 17, 2001). ".NET My Services Overview Presentation". Microsoft. Archived from the original (EXE) on November 7, 2001. Retrieved May 15, 2015.
  8. ^ Markoff, John (April 11, 2002). "Microsoft Has Shelved Its Internet 'Persona' Service". The New York Times. Retrieved May 5, 2015.