Windows Live Writer Plug-In Submission Process Changes

Microsoft has announced a major change in how plug-in authors submit their work for the popular blog posting software and they are notifying existing plug-in authors with the following email from the Windows Live Writer Team:

Dear Windows Live Writer plug-in authors,

On behalf of the Windows Live Writer team and all of our customers, thank you for the valuable contributions your plug-ins have made to the Writer experience.

We’re writing to let you know that Writer’s plug-in hosting and submission processes are changing.  Note: Existing plug-ins currently hosted on Windows Live Gallery will need to be resubmitted using the new process outlined below.  In the future, should you wish to provide additional plug-ins for Writer, we request that you also submit your plug-ins using this process.

We hope that you find the new plug-in submission process and hosting solution simple and lightweight.

New plug-in submission process:

1. Author uploads plug-in MSI installer to Windows Live SkyDrive using his/her Windows Live ID (email address).

2. Author emails wleplugins@microsoft.com (Windows Live Essentials Plug-ins) including the following information:

· Author name

· Author Windows Live ID (that will host the plug-in MSI)

· Author contact email address

· Plug-in name

· Plug-in description

· Plug-in category (pick only one):

· Formatting/clipboard

· Post publishing

· Pictures

· Buttons

· Other content

· Miscellaneous

· URL to plug-in MSI on SkyDrive

3. Writer team verifies that the plug-in works as described.

4. Writer team updates public list of Writer plug-ins that will include information on the plug-in and a link to the installer that is hosted on the author’s SkyDrive.

5. Writer team notifies plug-in author that plug-in has been listed.

We value your efforts and want to ensure that your plug-ins will continue to be accessible for the many people interested in them.  In order to do this, we need you to resubmit any existing plug-ins on Windows Live Gallery using this new process by September 10, 2010. You will be able to add more plug-ins after this date, but we need you to move existing plug-ins by then.

Please email us with any questions or concerns about the new plug-in submission process at wleplugins@microsoft.com. Other support requests should be directed to the Windows Live Solution Center.

Thanks,

The Windows Live Writer Team

Is this an indication that the end is near for the Windows Live Gallery?