Over the years Microsoft has earned high marks for being “green.” In 2008 the company was named one of the best workplaces for recycling by the King County (Washington) Solid Waste Division. With 50,000 employees, Microsoft knows it can make a significant dent in the waste stream.

Case in point: Next to my desk are two bins, one for garbage and one for recycling. In the kitchen down the hall are more bins, including one for composting, which was added last year to collect new compostable cups, plates, bowls and even silverware and leftover food scraps. At Microsoft, recycling is just the tip of the proverbial iceberg when it comes to sustainability; you can read more about it and other company initiatives here.

Get your ‘green’ on

At MSN, we’re committed to bringing you timely news about the environment, as well as practical advice and tips on how you can make a difference, big or small, in your own life. Stories with an environmental focus are easy to find on MSN: Just look for the Green logo.

Because being “green” isn’t just about recycling tips and disposing of household hazardous waste, you’ll see “green” stories everywhere on MSN, from the Travel channel to Greetings. (Send someone an Earth Day e-card -- they’re paper-free and free of charge!) For a little fun, see how “green” your kitchen is with this quiz from our Food & Entertaining channel, Delish.

There’s a great sports piece on the most environmentally friendly sports stadiums and FOX Sports’ slideshow of 10 athletes making a difference off the field. And who’s the “greenest” of them all in Hollywood? Check out Wonderwall’s gallery of the most sustainable celebrities.

MSN Autos is a wealth of information about driving “green”: You can read about the 10 cars that get 40+ mpg or join in a message board about “green” cars. Here’s an article to bookmark for sure – Consumer Reports tips on how to get better fuel economy from your car.

Today’s tech toys are known to be energy hogs, so MSN Tech & Gadgets recently posted a helpful article that outlines popular gadgets’ energy consumption, including HDTVs, LCD monitors, laptops and desktops.

And finally, one of the coolest new things on MSN is MSN Green on Twitter. If you’re curious about microblogging, join us over there and see what our Green editors are tweeting about.

By Heidi A. Schuessler, User Education Producer for MSN.com

There was a time when I thought I'd never read the newspaper online, let alone watch TV on my computer. How things have changed! Now I get all my news on the Web, and I watch more television on my computer than I do on an actual TV.

MSN makes it easy because video is everywhere on our network. Every day the homepage features Video Highlights, which showcase the latest viral videos making the rounds on the Web. (You know, things like "Hula Hoop Baby" and "Extreme Lawn Mower Racing.")

These originate from MSN Video, which is MSN's massive collection of videos on every subject you could imagine. (Click here for a sneak peek at the new MSN Video.) Want to rewatch your favorite Super Bowl ads? Or see highlights from this year's Oscars ceremony? It's all there — as are daily clips from the worlds of entertainment, sports and celebrities, and episodes of NBC news shows like "Morning Joe," "Meet the Press" and "The Rachel Maddow Show."

And then there's this funky place called "Soapbox," where anyone can post their own videos, like this one of someone's dog going crazy trying to drink water from a hose. Look for the link to an entire menu of user-generated videos in the Soapbox menu on the MSN Video menu, here:

Videos around the MSN network

MSN's many channels are committed to giving you a wide range of video options, so you'll find things like video test-drives on MSN Autos (check out the 2009 Ferrari California) and cooking spots on Delish that will teach you everything from how to melt chocolate to how to cook a turkey. Want more? Here are some great places to bookmark:

• MSN Health: Our Health channel has an extensive series of exercise videos; check out the menu at the bottom of the Fitness section.
• MSN Money: See investing videos by financial expert Jim Jubak.
• MSN Movies: Watch trailers of upcoming films and flicks already in theaters.
• MSN TV: This is the place that got me hooked — especially on all the full episodes of current TV shows available on Hulu.
• MSN Music: Watch music videos from featured artists by genre, and check in with the Top 100 videos to see who's hot and who's not.
• MSN Tech & Gadgets: Hosts Paul Hochman and Marianela report on a wide range of tech topics, such as the latest in fitness technology, in the GearDaddy series of videos. Another special video-based feature on Tech & Gadgets showcases two familiar faces: the Keno Brothers from "Antiques Roadshow." Their series called Collect This! shares expert tips on how to collect everything from vintage video games to cell phones.

You could spend hours watching videos on MSN, but start by picking a couple of topics that interest you and have fun. Soon you'll be hooked.

By Don Sena, Managing Editor, MSN.com homepage

MSN and MSNBC have a deep commitment to bringing you every angle of politics, government and the nation’s leaders. The content comes in many forms, including objective news coverage, expert analysis, interactive features, video, and explanations of complex governmental issues. We also provide message boards, polls, citizen journalism features and other forms of user-generated content, to use an industry term, so you can express your opinions and thoughts.

But sometimes the best service we can provide is easy access to the politicians themselves, allowing you to draw your own conclusions based on comments and addresses from the nation’s leaders. Every Saturday, President Barack Obama speaks directly to citizens in the “Presidential Weekly Address.” And the GOP responds in kind with the weekly Republican address, generally offering different speakers each week such as RNC Chairman Michael Steele and Senator Richard Burr (R-NC).

You can find both addresses every Saturday in the Video Highlights area on the MSN homepage; both run in this prominent location and are given equal time. These weekly offerings allow you to get information directly from each party and speaker; recent topics have included the economic mess, the budget and the nation’s food supply.

Some say these addresses are mere PR stunts from both parties offering nothing more than platitudes, sans any rigorous analysis of the facts. But the media offers plenty of talking heads and no shortage of pundits telling you what to think on all subjects. So why not also hear these viewpoints directly from the parties?

No need to navigate through the “political Web” to find these addresses; the MSN homepage will continue to feature them every Saturday. And we'll let you decide how to react.

By Heidi A. Schuessler, User Education Producer, MSN.com

National Cleaning Week is March 22 to 28, but unless you're Martha Stewart, spring cleaning is probably not something you're going to celebrate. At the very least, the first day of spring is always a good time to take stock: How cluttered have your house, your life, your computer become over the last year?

MSN has tips to cover all kinds of spring cleaning. Let's start with the obvious: your home. MSN Lifestyle has prepared a wealth of content on cleaning and organizing — bookmark that special section! There are articles about getting out tough spots and preventing mildew, as well as 20 easy ways to kick-start your spring cleaning.

My cleaning battles usually revolve around clutter; what gets saved and what gets tossed? I found these 25 strategies for decluttering really helpful — as well as these tips to simplify record-keeping (which could also come in handy at tax time next year).

And it's not just paper: Clutter in my kitchen starts in the pantry, so this handy list reveals the shelf life for common foods like spices, oils and flour. (Flour keeps for only a year? Who knew?) Because the kitchen is the most popular room in our house, it needs constant attention. Martha Stewart to the rescue! She offers some advice on how to stay on top of kitchen messes.

Keep it 'green'

MSN Video has an interesting clip from the "Today" show that talks about how to choose green cleaning products. If you buy regular (i.e., toxic) cleaning products, you can find a local spot to dispose of the packaging safely by searching the recycling directory on MSN Green.

Beyond the house

Here are a few more articles about how to clean out the other areas of your life.

• Spring cleaning for the soul: The baggage you carry from past relationships could be preventing you from having new ones. Time to make room for romance!
• Do a clean sweep of your computer: Is your desktop full of old or unused programs? Our partners at Microsoft.com offer these strategies for reducing your virtual clutter. (While you're at it, take time to delete all those old e-mails as well.)
• If you need a break from dusting, check out your spring cleaning style according to your zodiac sign. Maybe you have a penchant for organization written in the stars.

Happy spring, and happy cleaning!

By Heidi A. Schuessler, User Education Producer on MSN.com

Picture this: It’s the middle of winter. It’s snowing/raining/dark outside and you’re sitting at your computer. You’ve read all the headlines, checked your Hotmail three times and want something new to do.

You’re in luck. Fritter away the winter hours – or just kill a few minutes between meetings – with MSN. Here’s a quick tour of some of my favorite time wasters.

Quizzes

Encarta has quizzes on everything from fad diets and weird animals to state flags and gladiators. Other channels, like Money, Astrology, Careers and Delish, also have quizzes. (Go figure!).

Games

The first stop for gamers is MSN’s Game Zone, where you can play one of 134 free PC games, including board games, puzzles, card games and trivia. MSN’s Food & Entertaining channel also has a handful of games, like solitaire and word search.

Videos

IMHO, MSN TV’s best feature is Hulu, where I go regularly to watch television shows on my laptop. Current episodes of “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart,” “24,” “Dollhouse,” “Paris Hilton’s My New BFF,” and dozens more are available alongside some classics like “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” “Picket Fences,” and “The Dick Van Dyke Show.” Browse the full menu, or search by genre or decade.

If you’re looking for a quick video fix, check out Videos of the Week or viral videos on MSN Video. This is where you’ll find the most-watched videos of the week, like Dog Attacks Shark and Parking Expert, which makes me laugh every time.

Sports

Spring training has started, so it’s time to sign up for fantasy baseball. If NASCAR is more your style, FOX Sports (MSN’s partner for all things sports) offers up a new fantasy auto racing site, too. Both are free but require signing up for an online account. (Took me just a couple minutes.)

More fun

• Zoom down to see your town—or anywhere in the world—using the 3-D aerial maps on Live Search Maps. (To use the 3D function, you’ll need to download Virtual Earth beta.)
• Browse and send an e-card greeting to someone, just for fun. Some cards require membership to buy and send, but others are free.
• Find out what your dream last night meant with the Dream Dictionary.
• Listen to songs by everyone from the Eagles to Kanye West on MSN Music’s Listening Booth.

I want to hear from you: What are your favorite places to go on MSN for fun? E-mail me at inside-msn@hotmail.com.

By Heidi A. Schuessler, User Education Producer, MSN.com

I have a confession. I do my taxes in February. Early February. I am compelled to know that magic number ASAP so I can, if I’m lucky, spend my refund.

If you’re just starting to think about taxes, don’t panic. April 15 is two months away and MSN has many resources to help you plan, prepare and file your taxes. So gather your forms for 2008 and bookmark these articles, tools and videos I’ve collected from around the MSN network.

First things first

Find out if you should even be doing your own taxes by taking this quiz. If you’re a good candidate for DIY taxes and don’t know where to start, this video shows how you can get free help and advice through the Internal Revenue Service Free File program.

If you don’t want to go it alone, tax software is everywhere these days: Here’s a great video that compares three popular tax prep software programs, and this article offers side-by-side comparison of H&R Block’s TaxCut and Intuit’s TurboTax.

O.K., another decision to make: Are you going to e-file? The Tech & Gadgets team reviews the benefits –and some limitations – for going that route.

So, review this checklist of what you need and these important tax deadlines (April 15 is just one of them), and dive in.

What you need to know

MSN Money is my first resource for all things taxes – the tax section of the site is full of great tools and advice from tax accountant Jeff Schnepper. (He also hosts the Tax Corner message board and answers reader questions.)

If you’re an itemizer, here are 10 big deductions that many people miss, and here’s some advice on how to get the most out of itemizing.

Every year the tax laws change, and in 2008 those changes affected the standard deduction and tax brackets. Also, if you have a kid in college, log business miles on your car, or purchased a house, you might be due some savings. And remember that stimulus check you got from the government? Know how to handle that income.

Mistakes happen

Until the tax code is simplified for us non-accountants, mistakes are bound to happen – like forgetting to sign and date the form and mistyping your social security number (oops). One other biggie is failing to report all income, and that means even bribes, gambling and yes, even theft. If you do make a mistake, don’t worry, there are ways to correct it.

Remember, you are not alone. The message boards on MSN Money heat up this time of year as readers ask:

• Should I report a tax cheat?
• What should newlyweds know about taxes?
• Do I have to pay taxes on gambling winnings?
• Do I have to pay tax on inherited money?

Rejoice over refunds

Getting money back? Weigh in on this message board and tell us how you’re going to spend it. Paying off a credit card? Buying an HDTV or taking a much-deserved vacation on the IRS?

My refund went straight to paying off some debt. Not exactly fun, but in this market I’ll take what I can get.

By Don Sena, Managing Editor, MSN.com

The presidential election, the holiday crunch, 2009 arrives, Golden Globes, inauguration, Super Bowl. Just listing some of the big events and breaking news of the past two months is exhausting — and that doesn't even include the economic mess.

At the MSN Homepage, we know how important these happenings are to your lives, and we strive to cover them from myriad angles. Whether you are seeking smart advice on how to secure your personal finances in this economy or just looking for an escape by spying on celebrity fashion, the MSN Homepage dedicates itself to helping you find what you want, when you want it.

Moreover, we are always looking for new interactive ways to bring you major events and news as it happens. For instance, we hope you noticed our new presentation for the Super Bowl, which allowed MSN editors to bring you more content and bigger photos of the game and its advertisements.

And just as you catch your breath from the last two months, there are many more events right around the corner. In February, we're offering plenty of content and shopping tips to help you get ready for Valentine's Day — even some stories to help those who wish the calendar went directly from February 13 to February 15.

Historical perspective is top of mind in February with Black History Month and the 200th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's birth. February is also awards season — and the MSN Homepage is your destination for the Grammys and Oscars, including carpet-to-carpet coverage from MSN's new celebrity site, Wonderwall.

Of course, March Madness is not too far away (start researching your bracket for the office pool). And even though the groundhog saw his shadow, it's never too early to start thinking about warmer weather, spring break and the hope for a better season for your baseball team.

As always, intertwined with all this event programming are fast and trustworthy news stories, smart advice columns and plenty of interactives and videos on all topics. And if you don't see something you want or just feel like dropping us some advice, please send us your thoughts.

We asked, and you answered. And answered. And answered.

We posted a call for readers to tell us how they were feeling about Barack Obama's inauguration. Just on the day of the inauguration, Jan. 20, we received more than 60,000 posts. We heard voices from every state and more than two dozen countries, from Spain to Qatar.

Throughout Inauguration Day we featured hundreds of the comments in a scroll bar toward the top of the MSN.com homepage. In the comments, several strong themes came through. Here's the rundown:

Feeling inspired by the moment: "Today is truly an inspiration for everyone to dream big. This movement's infectious,” wrote Courtney from Phoenix. “The inauguration signifies hope for mankind,” wrote Marco of Reading, Pa. “The U.S. is heading in the right direction.” Charlene from Lancaster, Ken., said, “This is the most historic event in my lifetime. I will tell my grandchildren about it.”

Sending prayers and good wishes for the first family: “We didn't vote for Obama, but as with any president, we should give him a chance,” wrote Stan and Mary, of Seymour, Mo. In Albuquerque, Jose said: “Congrats, President Obama. Don't forget your Bible. I will be praying for you.”

Showing concern for the Obama family’s safety: “I don’t believe the U.S. is ready for a black president, and I worry about him and his family,” wrote Donna of Delta, Colo. Michelle from Gastonia, N.C. wrote: “I pray for everyone's safety and that things go well today!”

Expressing pride for electing our first black president: “As a black American whose grandparents were slaves, I am very proud of my country,” wrote Ronald from Far Rockaway, N.Y. And Samantha from Brooklyn noted, “It means that finally there is a commander in chief that looks like a member of my family.” Others wished that Martin Luther King Jr. was still alive to witness the day. “This was especially meaningful to those old enough who heard ‘I have a dream’ when it was only a dream,” wrote Andrea from Maplewood, N.J.

Calling out that Obama is half-white: But at the same time, many questioned why he was being labeled as a black man when his mother was white. "They should call him the first mixed president. His mom was white as snow, so he is not the first black president,” commented Linda from Memphis. Nancy from Columbus, Ohio said, “I hope it is well worth it to the country. He may be the first black president, but he is not 100 percent African-American.”

Getting weary of the race issue altogether: Then there were expressions of exasperation that Obama’s race was even an issue. “Isn't it just as racist to glorify him because of race as it is to discriminate him for it?” wrote Diana of Okemos, Mich. Tiffany of Miami summed up another common sentiment of the day: “It's sad that many people still think that America is only America if a white man is president.”

Celebrating is a waste of money: Many, many of you wrote to say that the millions of dollars could have been put to better use. “A waste of money and time. Just swear him in and let him get to work,” wrote Nancy from Grandville, Mich. “I voted Obama, but in this time of crisis, all the pomp and glitz is unnecessary!” said Marge from Jacksonville, Fla.

“Sad day for America”: This was another oft-repeated comment. Virgil from Trenton, N.J. “To me, this inauguration means it is a sad day for America.” Chris in Fayetteville, Ark., admitted he felt “sad, concerned, and scared. I feel America has made a dreadful mistake! I only pray that my feelings prove to be unfounded.”

“The beginning of the end”: The change in administration was not welcome by many of our readers. “This is the beginning to the end of this country, from every level of thought and deed,” wrote Paul from Phoenix. Ric in Cincinnati echoed that sentiment: “This presidency marks the beginning of the end. Government will dominate.” And, from William in Colorado Springs: “We are entering what will be the worst times in the history of the United States.”

For all of you who wrote in, thank you for sharing your thoughts, concerns and hopes with MSN. We always want to hear what’s on your mind; e-mail us at inside-msn@hotmail.com and let us know what you want to read about next.

By Heidi A. Schuessler, User Education Producer, MSN.com

When Barack Obama took the oath of office today, it was the culmination of a long and hard-fought election season. 

MSN.com would like to hear from you! We want to know how you were feeling and what you were thinking as you watched the inauguration events unfold. Or, if you didn’t watch, why? A selection of your comments will be printed on MSN.com.

Click here to share your thoughts; be sure to include your first name only, your comment, and your city and state/country.

Here are a few examples of what MSN readers from around the country are saying:

The size of the crowds on the National Mall so early in the day was inspiring. Wow.
—David, Cincinnati

I've been waiting eight years for this. I'm going to be parked in front of my TV all day.
—Nadine, Buffalo, N.Y.

This is the best day this country has had in eight years. —Alisa, Lakeland, Fla.

No one is a miracle-worker, not even Obama. But I do believe he can change things for the better. —Savannah, Fla.

He can't do any worse than Bush did! —Mike, Greenwich, N.Y.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime dream to come true; a blessed day for all. —Jill, Aiken, S.C.

No big deal. I can't believe people are wearing his face on their clothes like he's some hero. —Rene, West Berlin, N.J.

Whether you voted for him or not, shouldn't every American want Obama to succeed?
—Vivi, Easton, Pa.

With God on your side, Obama, you will make American great again.
—Phina, Lagos, Nigeria

Obama has a tremendous opportunity to change the world for the better. Such a burden to bear. —Dan, Parkville, Md.

He was a do-nothing senator. Why do people think he will be an effective president?
—Joanne, Reeders, Pa.

A great day for all Americans! Naysayers, get a life. —Sarah, Bismarck, N.D.

Every other president had a parade and a ball. Why not Obama? Oh, because you didn't vote for him. —Joseph, Cleveland

He can talk the talk, can he walk the walk? —Nick, Badger, Iowa

The fine print: There's space for only about 20 words per entry. MSN editors may edit your comment for length. We won't publish offensive comments, rumors or accusations. Just be sensible. Go easy on the all-caps, too. Finally, by submitting your comment, you give us permission to print it on MSN.

Become a fan of MSN on Facebook

And be sure to join MSN on Facebook! Click here to join.

By Heidi A. Schuessler, User Education Producer

During the past 12 months, MSN has covered some unforgettable stories: Barack Obama was elected president; China hosted the Olympics; the economy spiraled downward and the nation slid into recession.

We said goodbye to Tim Russert, Heath Ledger, Bernie Mac and Paul Newman, and hello to Sarah Palin, Joe the Plumber, and so many others who stepped onto the world stage in 2008.

During the year, we ran thousands of headlines and photos. Thousands. But which ones did readers like best? Here's the rundown of MSN's 10 most popular non-news stories of the year, in descending order.

10. “America’s most-stolen cars,” from MSN Autos. What did thieves want to drive most this year—and was your car on the list?

9. “Say Cheese: 12 photos that should never have been posted online,” from Tech & Gadgets. A picture may be worth a thousand words, but these cost someone their job, reputation or in some cases, their freedom. What were they thinking?

8. “Deep Water: The Rising Seas,” from City Guides & Green Living channel. This story reviewed the 10 U.S. cities most at risk from rising sea levels. See if your city is on the list.

7. “What People Earn 2008,” from Careers. Car salesman, bounty hunter, doctor, tow-truck driver… take a look at Parade magazine’s annual salary survey to see how you compare.

6. “Is the IRS holding a check for you?” from MSN Money. Some people never got their economic stimulus checks, so millions of dollars are sitting with the IRS. Are you leaving money unclaimed?

5. “LeBron-Gisele Vogue cover draws criticism,” from Fox Sports. This was the most controversial story in our top 10, and MSN.com addressed it from a variety of angles, including a news story, editorial and reader poll.

4. “Surprising Signs You’ll Live Longer Than You Think”, from MSN Health. This slide show revealed 13 fascinating anti-aging secrets, such as “eat purple food” and “build strong legs.” What else is on the list?

3. “Where Are They Now?”, created for MSN Specials, captured our then-and-now fascination with celebrities, sports stars and newsmakers -- like Rudy from The Cosby Show, Patty Hearst and Monica Lewinsky – who have faded from the limelight.

2. “Sunken Dreamboats”: A slide show of heartthrobs no more, by MSN Movies. Mickey Rourke and Val Kilmer made the list—but there are a few surprises, too.

And the top story of the year? “Top Baby Name Trends of 2008” from MSN’s Lifestyle channel. This year, babies named after nouns and presidents were hot. See what other trends are popular.

Here are more year-in-review stories:

• The Year in Pictures from MSNBC
• MSN Travel’s Best of 2008
• Top Celebrity Hook-Ups and Breakups of 2008
  

Happy Holidays from everyone at MSN!

By Heidi A. Schuessler, User Education Producer, MSN.com

Have you ever traveled to Turkey or Argentina, or say South Africa? MSN has homepages from 42 countries around the world. To see a different, global point of view, go to the bottom of the page and click MSN Worldwide:

Click on any country from the list to get a sense of what’s important to readers on that day. When recently the U.S. homepage led with stories about the 12 hottest video games, in New Zealand the day’s top headlines were about interest rate cuts and the best and worst products of 2008. This was followed closely by sports, including a head-scratcher of a headline – “Crocs monster out-of-sorts league leaders” – perfectly clear for Kiwi sports nuts, I’m sure.

On Ireland’s homepage there was a travel story about how you could win a trip to Philadelphia, and Russia’s page greeted readers with a stern photo of Vladimir Putin followed by one of President Bush waving goodbye:

(Any Russian-speakers out there who can translate? Tell me by clicking “add a comment” at the end of this blog.)

Like the U.S. homepage for MSN, the one for MSN Arabia had popular search terms at the top of the page: “Barack Obama,” “insomnia” and “Capgras syndrome.” Capgras syndrome? Turns out it’s a “rare disorder in which a person holds a delusional belief that an acquaintance, usually a spouse or other close family member, has been replaced by an identical-looking impostor.”

Several countries place strong emphasis on connecting singles through Match.com, complete with photos of available men and women; other countries (Portugal, for one) highlight lots of soccer news. Another unique homepage feature was this lead from MSN Arabia:

This story led to a page teaching conversational English skills and included an audio clip of two people worrying about their busy schedules – something that seems common to many cultures!

Around the MSN world, there is one topic with global appeal -- celebrities. (Britney’s name and face is particularly universal — she graced the homepage in Chile, Arabia and Italy.)

Many countries host a popular featured called “MSN Battles”:

The premise? Pitting two or three stars against each other in different categories such as best dressed or best celebrity duo. (In Switzerland recently, Brad and Angelina were handily beating Posh and Becks.)

It seems that the world can’t get enough of the celebrity photos, either. Here’s a snapshot of a gallery that appeared on MSN South Africa:

Funny videos also seem to cross cultural and linguistic divides. MSN Japan featured a picture of the kitten on a vacuum cleaner that MSN readers in the U.S. may recognize:

Our languages may be different, our cultures may clash a bit, and the news may vary, but we catch glimpses of it all through MSN. But in the end, no matter where you live, a cat it still a cat/katze/gato.

By Heidi Schuessler, User Education Producer

Users frequently write in and ask how they can delete or add content from their MSN homepage. Some of you don’t want entertainment news. Others can’t live without it – but couldn’t care less about sports headlines or the latest video clips.

Even though MSN.com strives to offer a broad range of content, we understand that many users want to customize their MSN homepage to reflect their own interests.

Are you in that group? If so, you should check out the updated My MSN. This new version features so much more content to choose from, easy-to-organize pages, and lots of personalization options for adding colors and themes.

I've done it – and I’m no techie. I set up three customized My MSN pages – yes, three! – and the hardest part was deciding what content to use. It didn’t take me long to fill up my first page with all the things I read and need every day: news headlines, traffic and my Hotmail inbox. Because I didn’t want that page to get too crowded, I then added subpages dedicated to other content I like to browse when I have time, such as entertainment gossip and recipes.

Here’s how you do it:

1. From MSN.com, click on My MSN: (Make sure you’re signed into your Hotmail or Live account.) When you get to My MSN for the first time you’ll see a page filled with default modules, such as headlines and a video. Like what you see? Great, you can keep those modules and add to them. Don’t like one? Delete any module by clicking on the little “x” in the upper-right corner.

2. Pick a background: You will likely see a blue background on your page. Again, this is the default. Click the “Customize” button in the upper-right corner of your page. A menu will pop up with a range of background colors to choose from, as well as sports, holiday and seasonal themes, to name a few. I chose a beach theme for my main page and a full-moon theme for my subpages.

3. Start adding content: Click the “Add Content” link in the upper-right corner of your main page. This takes you to an extensive menu of content you can choose from. I just clicked the green “plus sign” on the pieces I wanted and – voila! – they were automatically added to my page.

4. Move your content around: Once you’ve added the modules you like, it's time to organize. I settled on a three-column layout (select layout options under the “Customize” link), and then dragged all my news modules to the left column. In the middle column I have Quote of the Day, This Day in History and my local traffic report. The right column has my Hotmail inbox:

> TIP: To move a content module, hover over the colored title bar at the top of the box until two crossed arrows appear, then click and hold the bar while you move it around the page. “Let go” when the module is where you want it.

5. Add more pages to collect and organize even more content: Click “Add a page.” I have two additional pages on My MSN: Entertainment and House & Home. Because I’m a TV and movie junkie, I created the Entertainment page to show local movie times, upcoming new releases, and for fun, my horoscope and a Doonesbury cartoon. My other page is for House & Home, where I can see cooking tips, recipes and shopping deals. (The holidays are coming!)

My MSN page reflects me, and I check all three pages on a daily basis, in addition to the regular MSN homepage. Some of you may want to use My MSN as your homepage, and that works too. You can continue to add/change modules, colors and themes anytime you want. After all, it’s your MSN.

Have fun!

By Heidi A. Schuessler, User Education Producer, MSN.com

'Tis the season to stress.

Well, try to relax. MSN has tools and features to save you time, money and, yes, even your sanity during this hectic time of year. Here's a rundown on some of our favorites. Get ready to bookmark!

IN THE AIR

Find the cheapest airfare: Live Search Farecast will compare ticket prices from a bunch of online sources and give you the best price. Plus, you can track whether fares are going up or down, so you'll know the best time to buy.

Check flight status: Orbitz, a partner with MSN Travel, has a flight status tool — great for scheduling airport runs to pick up the relatives.

ON THE ROAD

Get the weather report: Thanksgiving weather is notoriously unpredictable. Know the forecast before you head out.

Don't get lost: Plot point-to-point directions to your holiday parties using Live Search Maps. Just for fun, try the 3-D view.

Beat the traffic: MSN offers a couple of different ways to stay on top of road conditions: MSN Autos has local traffic reports and incident alerts. Live Search Maps has a similar feature: Click the traffic link at the top of the map and then zoom down to street level.

Fill the tank: Here's a cool tool from MSN Autos that finds the cheapest gas in your area (a good thing to know any time of year).

GIFTS

Avoid the crowds, shop online: MSN Shopping is a great channel to browse. Did you know you could order a bowl of pears or a Southern pecan pie for Thanksgiving? MSN Shopping also has gift ideas organized into categories, such as gifts for pets, stocking stuffers and toys for different ages.

Know how to save: Keep an eye on the Sales & Deals page and print out online coupons, both available from MSN Shopping.

Get ideas from MSN gift guides: The new Holiday Guide from MSN will be updated throughout the season with home decor ideas, budgeting tips, gift ideas and more. Around MSN, watch for other ideas from channels such as MSN Tech & Gadgets: It just published a gift guide with a sneak peek at the season's hottest tech toys for gadget gurus.

Connect with others: If you're completely stuck — and we've all been there — stop by the gift-giving message board on MSN Lifestyle and ask other readers for advice. The board's chock-full of great ideas, plus tips on saving money. (One reader said she's going to bake her way through the holidays this year.)

Put cash in your pocket: Shopping through Live Search cashback is just what it sounds like: Shop online and get money back.

Make a list, check it twice: Print out this shopping list to record what you buy and how much you spend this season. (Note: This link opens a PDF.)

IN THE KITCHEN

Start early: Delish, MSN's main source for food and entertaining, has created special sections dedicated to Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas and New Year's Eve. All are useful places to start your preparations.

Get cooking: Browse these festive menus or put together your own by searching for recipes. If you haven't tried Delish's personal recipe book feature yet, now's a good time to start. You can collect recipes and it automatically generates a shopping list. (Note: You have to register and sign in for this feature, but it's free.)

Be a waist watcher: If you're worried about calorie creep, monitor your holiday eating with the Daily Diet Diary, available in PDF form from MSN Health & Fitness.

SHARING PHOTOS

Collect your photos on a Spaces page: Take all those digital pictures and organize them into albums on a Spaces page. Visitors can view the pictures in a slide show format and add a comment to any of the photos. (MSN Spaces is free, and you can access it with your Hotmail or Live account.)

Photo tip! SkyDrive, accessible through your Spaces page, gives you an extra five gigabytes of online storage that is accessible from any computer with Web access. It's a great way to store and share at the same time.

Happy Holidays from MSN!

By Heidi Schuessler, User Education Producer, MSN.com

With the presidential election just around the corner, many of you have written to MSN with your thoughts about the campaigns, candidates and our political coverage during this unprecedented election season. This week I had a chance to sit down with Don Sena, MSN’s managing editor, to talk about how MSN covers the election news.

Some background: Here at MSN the pace and volume of election coverage started in 2007 as candidates first entered the race. In early summer 2007, MSN launched Your Vote ’08, a robust election guide with comprehensive political analysis, daily polls, videos and more.

News and analysis come from MSN’s primary election content partner, MSNBC, as well as Slate.com, Newsweek, The Root.com and MSN Video. MSN’s many channels also cover politics. For example, MSN Money recently published stories about where the candidates stand on pocketbook issues such as health care bills and energy costs. And MSN City Guides recently ran a story on which American cities are most red or blue.

Issues, issues, issues

The primary goal of MSN’s political coverage is to give you a broad range of accurate, fair and timely news and analysis about the election and candidates. Some people want to know about the “horse race”; others are following their local races or are only interested in specific issues. MSN covers all these topics, said Sena, but “we want to allow users to filter out the rhetoric and focus on the issues.”

Sena also said a talented team of editors has been guiding the MSN election coverage, led by Dave Herman, lead election editor.

If you’ve clicked around on Your Vote ’08, you may have seen the section called Where They Stand that compares McCain and Obama on everything from abortion and taxes to how each candidate would deal with Iran. Another popular feature is The Podium, where you can compare candidates and issues side by side using an interactive mash-up of Live Search and Silverlight.

Balance and fairness

MSN constantly works to achieve balanced coverage of the candidates and the parties. “Fairness is always top of mind and influences how we choose stories and how we place photos,” said Sena.

Many readers write in with feedback about what they view as a liberal or conservative slant to the coverage, and Sena and his election team monitor these comments. “When I see reader feedback slamming us from both sides, I know we’re probably getting it right,” said Sena. (Send your feedback about the Election Guide.)

Cool features

Did you know that MSN can help you find out where the polling places are in your town? Many voters have also taken advantage of our register to vote page.

“I find it interesting that some of our competitors have just recently added a ‘register to vote’ feature,” said Sena, who says MSN has long emphasized service tools. “We’ve had that feature live since before the primaries.”

Innovation is key to MSN’s election coverage, and the Web makes features like The Podium possible – and allows MSN the freedom to present political news in ways that you won’t see or hear on TV, radio or in newspapers. (More of this is coming on election night – see below).

For a global perspective, MSN International sites also have been programming innovative election content to capture interest abroad. (Who would those abroad elect as the new leader of the free world? Check out this interesting feature from our international teams.) MSN Latino presents a version of the MSN Election Guide, as well.

Looking forward to Nov. 4

On election night, you can expect special coverage and features that will closely follow national and state results, as well as new layouts, a new design on the homepage, and new interactive features. Most of all, said Sena, count on MSN’s election coverage on Nov. 4 to be accurate and fast.

We want to hear from you!

As always, thanks for your feedback and keep it coming. Tell us what you think about this blog by clicking the “send message” link below. Or, share your thoughts about other articles you’ve read on MSN.com by sending Letters to the Editor.

Heidi A. Schuessler, User Education Producer, MSN.com

Early in October, MSN.com debuted its new homepage. You may have noticed the revised layout, a Hotmail preview and video module on the left side of the page, customization options and more. We've gotten lots of helpful feedback from readers — as well as some questions. Here are a few of the topics you asked about most often, answered by our experts here at MSN.com.

How can I see MSN.com without scrolling from left to right?
By adjusting your computer screen resolution, you can see the entire homepage without scrolling left or right. Choosing a higher screen resolution will allow you to see more objects on the screen at once. Adjusting your screen resolution is a simple and quick process that varies according to the operating system (OS) of the computer. Click on the following links for instructions for your OS: Windows Vista, Windows XP, Mac OS X Leopard or Mac OS X Tiger.

How can I increase the size of the text (or font)?
You can increase your Web browser's font size in three simple steps. The process varies according to Web browser. Here are instructions for the most  common browsers: Internet Explorer, Firefox and  Safari.

How does the new MSN weather tool work?
With the latest version of MSN.com, the weather tool is featured in two areas — the upper-right and lower-left corners of the page. Customizing your weather information is a simple and quick process. Follow these instructions to start using your new MSN weather tool today. You can track up to nine cities at once with your weather tool.

How do I personalize my homepage?
MSN.com has several new features that enable you to personalize your MSN homepage in a variety of ways: Choose a homepage color and number of headlines to display. Customize content such as local news, weather, horoscopes and stock quotes, and access Hotmail from your homepage. More details can be found in the MSN homepage tour. 

We hope that you're pleased with the changes we've made; our goal is to help you connect with all the exciting features and tools available on MSN.com. So click around and see what's new. Play with the background colors and font sizes. Make MSN your own. If you have feedback on any of the things you see on MSN, please write to us and tell us what you think.

By Stephen Cvengros, Executive Producer, MSN.com

We’re pleased with the new features we are offering and hope they help you feel better connected with info and communication tools available on the new MSN homepage. (An example: Hotmail preview, which lets you manage whether your email appears from visit to visit as opened or closed on your homepage.) We also hope you’ll nose around a bit and find some new background customization (try the graphite; it’s hot), local news that is always present and a quick read on weather.

Plenty of thought and feedback went into creating this new design: We took into account your comments to us over the years; requests you’ve sent us: good, bad and ugly. We met with focus groups, and we had a beta site live for several months, gained insight and adjusted the page.

I know how change is sometimes confusing.

Several months ago, I purchased a new car. One night, I needed to use the dome light, but couldn’t figure out how to get it to come on short of opening the door. I knew that couldn’t be the solution, but I hadn’t gotten familiar with how the shiny, new thing worked. (I didn’t read the operating manual; fortunately, my wife did.)

Bottom line is that like any new model, I knew there was a basic solution, just needed to figure out how it worked.

To that end, we have included a Homepage Tour. In the future, you will find the tour and other info to help you better understand how the site works, what fantastic gems we have seemingly hidden away on the network and the introduction of new topics, features and tools in the new “MSN & You” section of the page. This particular blog (“Inside MSN”) will also keep you up to speed on what’s new.

Some other changes to the page include:

· Adding a bottom-of-the-page navigation with quick links to more special sites, tools and areas users are interested in, making access easier.

· Moving Video to a more prominent position, meeting users’ growing appetite for the feature.

· We’ve lightened up on the boxes on the page and opened it up to provide a little “breathing room” for your eyes.

What is not apparent today are some design surprises we have created to improve coverage for you when the time is right. (All right, so check in Sunday for one of the first of these items with our sparkling new NFL module.) I want to urge you to play around with the customization pulldown menu above the Hotmail preview. I’d also suggest you put in your horoscope and maybe drop in a couple of stocks you’re following (weirdly in the current market, either one seems like a mystical choice at this moment).

Have some fun with the page and drop us a line about what you think.

As with all Web pages, this Homepage is organic. It will change as our last big release did over time and you’re going to be the driving force. We hope you enjoy it.

By Stephen Cvengros, Executive Producer, MSN.com

Now that the torch has been extinguished in Beijing, our Olympics coverage is coming to a close.

Many  of you have joined MSN for one of the biggest online stories of the year. You got to know Lolo Jones, Usain Bolt, Nastia Liukin, Debbie Phelps and, of course, her son Michael much better. We believe the exclusive video offered by NBCOlympics turned the corner for online content and streaming video.

We've got even more surprises and coverage ahead. The Democrats are in Denver. Followed closely by the Republicans and their party's party in Minneapolis-St. Paul. (Neither of these should be confused with the Republicrats, who are already way out of the box.) The political pep rallies begin the end of a very long election season. Along with our news partner, MSNBC, we've got it covered through the debates, promises, denials, votes, Election Night coverage and swearing-in of a historic president.

The NFL kicks off next week with Brett as a Jet, Chuck still running the Bucs, and LT ready to light up the Chargers. We'll be delivering powerful real-time coverage, power rankings and free fantasy football.

Next month, we're going to whet your appetite with a brand-new food section called Delish. But we've got you covered on the other end too, helping you look out for those nasty pounds that creep up on us every holiday. (Don't look now, but Christmas is less than four months away. And those leftover Halloween candies will be hanging around the house soon.)

Speaking of the holidays, need to clear out old junk or find a treasure for that special aunt? The Keno Brothers have joined MSN with "Collect This," sharing their amiable insights into antiques and collectibles.

A new homepage is in the hopper and will soon offer access to new and improved local news, your most recent Hotmail messages and more personalization choices.

And we'll keep providing you with everything you need to know in your area, too. From where to be eco-friendly in disposing of antifreeze to finding the hottest new restaurant or discovering which gas station has the lowest prices within driving distance.

It's all about you. Our users.

Keep us dialed in for a big fall season full of surprises, breaking news and valuable information to make life a little easier and smoother.

Cassandra Douglas, Managing Editor, MSN.com

New and improved user experiences are always in the works around the MSN network. Here’s a look at Is It True? and City Guides — two recommended features I hope you’ll enjoy.

Is It True?

MSN.com investigates rumors and urban legends with a new feature — Is It True?

Be the center of attention at water-cooler conversations and cocktail parties with knowledge you'll glean from Is It True? The feature tracks down the truth of urban legends, rumors and other topics of intrigue. Find answers to such pressing questions as, “Was sex therapist Dr. Ruth a sniper?”

“We’ve teamed up with “MythBusters” to deliver this experience and are also building up our own original content stores," says MSN editor Kristen Kennedy. "We offer users a wide range of topics, from celebrity trivia to the latest science news."

When I ask about her favorite rumors, Kennedy replies, “There are so many.”

Here are a few urban legends Kennedy and team have been able confirm or deny

(the answers may surprise you):

· Can loud music lead to a lung collapse?

· Can a penny kill?

· Can frogs rain from the sky?

Visit the Is It True? main page daily for new topics.

The New City Guides

MSN’s City Guides have a new look and offer more ways to find out what's happening in U.S. cities – big and small. New enhancements include more detailed events coverage and a summary of recently viewed articles and items.

“I’m happy to have much deeper events coverage,” says Rick Vanderknyff, senior editor of City Guides.

Deeper, indeed. Using City Guides,  I found community events, nightlife, movie theaters and local restaurants in my hometown of Andalusia, Ala. — estimated population 8,740. This enhancement will make those of us who frequent small towns very happy because it’s usually difficult to find out what’s going on outside major metropolitans.

City Guides also can make finding and attending events in almost any city a seamless process. “You can research and buy tickets in one visit,” says Vanderknyff.

When you click for details on an event you can see a Virtual Earth map, view restaurants and read more about the performer.

The new City Guides remembers who you are. Each time you visit, a list of recently viewed items is saved so they’re easy to find the next time you come to the site.

Users can even participate in shaping City Guides content by posting their own restaurant reviews.

For details on the new City Guides go here or go the main events page and “just start exploring,” as Vanderknyff suggests.

Try these features and let us know what you think by clicking send a message below.

By Don Sena, Managing Editor, MSN.com

Do you know what a gunwale is? Have you actually ever witnessed a parry? Does dressage get you excited?

If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, chances are you’re a big fan of the Summer Olympic Games. But even if you are unfamiliar with these terms associated with canoe/kayak, fencing and equestrian events, you probably have your own favorite Olympic event or athlete that you’ve waited a long time to see in an international competition of this caliber.

MSN also has been waiting four long years to bring our audience coverage of the XXIX Olympiad in China. Through a partnership with NBC Olympics, MSN will showcase exclusive Olympics coverage from the opening ceremonies through the last medal awarded on August 24. You will be able to find complete coverage of the games at NBCOlympics.com, but you will also be able to follow every stroke, iron cross and dunk right from the MSN homepage with our Olympics coverage module. At the top of the MSN homepage, we’ll expose features, interactives, breaking news and exclusive video not seen anywhere else on the Internet. In addition, if the South Korean women maintain their complete dominance in archery or Michael Phelps captures eight gold medals, MSN will bring it to you front and center on the homepage. From athlete profiles to results to video of events you missed, MSN and NBC Olympics will serve it up, be it at the office or home.

We realize that Olympics coverage is not one-size-fits-all. Some fans want to follow the results throughout the day; others don’t want media outlets to spoil the games before they’ve had a chance to watch them on the NBC telecast. To help fans enjoy the Olympics in the way they want, the MSN homepage will offer two versions of our Olympics coverage. Those who want to know all the news as it happens will find robust coverage, including breaking news updated 24/7. For fans who do not want any event results that have not yet appeared on the telecast, we will offer “non-spoiler” Olympics content where you can hide the results. However, those fans will still get deep features and video that has already aired on TV. The “hide results” button on the Olympics module helps you enjoy the Olympics coverage in the way you want.

And, despite what the International Olympic Committee or the Chinese government want you to believe, the Olympic Games are not just about sporting competition. The games have always shined a light – for better or worse – on the host country, and MSN will be covering all the hard news, politics and culture surrounding these historic games in China.

Lastly, Microsoft’s Silverlight software – which downloads faster than Usain Bolt can run the 100-meter dash – gets you some expanded features on the homepage Olympics module, such as more content and interactivity.

For an enhanced experience, the Olympics module will be presented on the MSN wide page format. Increasing your screen resolution will allow you to see the entire page on your screen at once. These step-by-step instructions will show you how to do this.

So, check out the MSN homepage  now and explore the coverage. If you have any suggestions or just want to drop us a note, please send a message below on this blog.

Don Sena is the Managing Editor/Director of MSN.com.  Before coming to MSN, he was an award-winning reporter and editor at the Chicago Tribune and The Washington Post newspapers.