MSN Spaces vs MySpaces

Microsoft seems to be pulling up its socks with some major upgrades on the Spaces to take on Myspaces, amidst the concerns clouding Myspaces of late.

Windows Live Spaces will now connect to other services to offer a different type of social networking than is available on other sites like MySpace. The service integrates with Live Contacts, which is also used in the Windows Live Messenger product. Instant messaging conversations can now be initiated through the Spaces site.

With these expanded social networking options also comes security concerns, Microsoft acknowledged. To combat this, the Redmond company has added permission features to let users decide how they can be contacted through their Spaces sites. These permissions would be shown beside a user's profile, and can be changed.