The Windows Live Local mapping service, based on Virtual Earth technology, has been updated to include more countries along with new features. There's no software to download - just fire up your Internet browser and go to http://local.live.com.

The first little job to do is to get Live Local to pan the map to your location. Do this by clicking on Locate me and choose Use IP address (unless you're running Live Local on a portable device across a wireless Net connection then it's best to install the Location Finder). Depending on the Internet Protocol address of your Internet service provider, you'll probably end up in Sydney or Melbourne. Well, that's ok as you can pan to your local area - use either the compass arrows over at the top left or drag the map with the mouse. You'll soon realise that the scroll wheel on the mouse zooms in and out!

The Welcome panel on the left varies in content but scroll down to see what's listed under the Find Out How section. You'll probably see some help available to search for places. This new version of Live Local contains map coordinates for places in more than thirty countries so a search for Rushworth, regardless of where the map is currently located, will pan the map to our local area. Note that Live Local automatically adds a pushpin to the map and brings up a scratchpad over on the right of the screen to list Rushworth, Victoria, Australia.

You can add other places to the scratchpad either by using the search box or adding pushpins yourself. To add a pushpin, right-click on the map and select Add pushpin. Note this popup also enables you to zoom in to city level, and once zoomed in to that level of detail, to zoom in to street level.

Before exploring any further, notice the navigation box with the compass arrows and the zoom control has the option to view your maps in Road or Aerial layout. As well, when you get to certain locations, there's a third option: Bird's eye view and this is the one where everybody spends lots of time. Most U.S. cities can be seen from the bird's eye view perspective and London and other U.K. locations have been added in the past week. If you're not sure how to get started, try one of the many collections at www.passthepoi.com or Virtual Earth Collection Maps.

The Collections feature of Live Local is where you'll begin to see all sorts of possibilities. A collection can be shared via email or your MSN Space so you can tell stories and include some snaps you took at various places. A family history, caravan trip, overseas holiday, memories of where you lived in your youth, and notable sites in your area are just some of the possibilities.

To begin your first collection, sign in to your Live ID account (Hotmail or Passport in the old language) and begin placing pushpins. Enter a title and a couple of lines of notes to let others know the significance of the location. If you have a photo, you can point to a location where that photo is saved on the Net (e.g., at your own web site or a photo storage service such as Flickr). Save your collection after your first entry and thereafter new locations that you add to the scratchpad are automatically saved to the Live Local servers. Once you've made a collection, save it as a Shared collection to post it to your MSN Space, email it or just copy the link to the clipboard.

The Windows OneCare subscription service became available about a week ago. OneCare consists of Microsoft's antivirus and antispyware (Windows Defender) applications, as well as a backup utility and other tools to keep your computer performing at its best. The subscription payment is valid for as many as three computers under the one account so it's perfect for the home.

webDotWiz has installed OneCare using the free 90-day evaluation option and will take a subscription soon. You can read about some of the features he's found thus far at his Space.