Microsoft's blogging service, MSN Spaces, has begun public beta testing. The aim is to make the process of blogging a simple and straightforward affair, and to a certain extent Microsoft succeeds at this. After a simple signup process (you pick a name and url), your blog is ready. Microsoft offer a variety of themes, some of which were built by The Skins Factory. The software is integrated with MSN Messenger , with other people's "Spaces" appearing in their contacts. First reactions indicate that the software is easy to use and makes the whole blogging experience more enjoyable.