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Microsoft has been busy, signing up colleges to use their Windows Live @ edu. A lot of colleges.

According to BetaNews, 72 colleges have already signed up, and more than 200 are discussing the option. Students at participating schools get an email address at their university's domain, while using Windows Live Mail's interface.

The goal: establish loyalty, since many colleges require students use their college email for class announcements. Since Live Mail's interface is easier to use than the 90s era antiques at a bunch of institutions, that could make for a lot of grateful students. While at school, ads are not shown, although they might be turned on following graduation.

Since the email addresses are valid Windows Live logins, they work on any website with a Passport/Live ID login, and Microsoft hopes students, after being forced to use the addresses, will continue to use them for Messenger, Spaces, and all the other Windows Live services.

Who has signed up already? The Microsoft press release mentions Glasgow Caledonian University, Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana, and the University of Texas Pan America. If you know of a school participating, feel free to drop a line below.

(via Ars > Digg)

Nathan Weinberg writes the popular InsideGoogle blog, offering the latest news and insights about Google and search engines.

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