After reports earlier this week that the Windows Live suite was on its way, Microsoft today announced a beta or test version of the software will be available later today at this site.

Included in the suite are updated versions of Windows Live Mail, Photo Gallery, Writer blog posting tool, OneCare Family Safety parental controls, Messenger, "and more," according to a blog post this morning from Chris Jones, a corporate vice president heading the Windows Live effort.

Also new is a "unified installer" that will allow all of the pieces of the suite to be downloaded at once. "Once downloaded it will also keep customers' Windows Live services up to date automatically," according to an email from Microsoft's PR firm.

No word on when the beta tag will be removed from these online services.