Microsoft is releasing a beta version of a blog platform call MSN Spaces. It's being released with the latest version of MSN Messenger and MSN Hotmail.

Though it's targeted for personal use, not business, the advantage is that it will bring blogging more and more to the forefront in terms of mindshare. Because it's packaged with Messenger and Hotmail, millions more could begin using blogs. Microsoft certainly has the clout to be able to educate consumers as to the use of blogs.

There is a tacet danger inherent in this. Due to its emphasis on personal use, blogs may continue to be pigeon-holed as nothing more than "personal online journals or diaries," and not as serious tools for business use.