More on the Microsoft Spaces strategy:

What is fascinating about Spaces is the degree of integration with Microsoft media management tools and services--and not just music, but photos and, I think soon, consumer video.

The result is a powerful new product and service integration, and one that will help out Microsoft clients such as Dell and HP. Think of it this way--when Dell and HP sell you a media-oriented personal computer, now you have a powerful sharing service, free, that is just a click away. The total offer begins to approach the degree of media integration provided by Apple, but in a mainstream PC environment.

So the big beneficiary of the Spaces service is not just the consumer, but the consumer-oriented personal computer companies.

This is very different from Typepad and Blogger, which function largely independently of machine and operating system type.