hotmail to outlook.com

Is anyone familiar with Microsoft's new cloud email at outlook.com?

While I have a hotmail a/c I would like to have a second but don't want to risk the primary hotmail a/c being removed (it's too well known and I'd need time to advise of change of address).
However, if I could start a new a/c: newname@outlook.com then I could gradually work on switching my contacts to the new address.

Does MS intent to retain hotmail or will it become obsolete as the new system takes over?

appreciate yr input

Hi nithig,
here's one way of doing it. WLM Tips.pdf
-
I know you never mentioned Windows Live Mail, but it gives better features.
-
If you want, you can use outlook.com instead of Gmail although I don't recommend it.

you can switch your hotmail account to outlook.com.
your old hotamil address will still be used by friends /contacts and get to your outlook.com account.
i switched a year or more ago and it was painless.
you just have to get used to the different layout of it. but all the familiar funtions are still there and more.
i like it im running windows 8.1 so outlook.com looks great and matches my setup

Thanks Roadrunner - btw can you say something about yr comment "you can use outlook.com instead of Gmail although I don't recommend it."
I'd like to get away from gmail (too much intrusion, data mining for target marketing) so interested to know why you wouldn't recomment outlook over gmail.

Thanks also to you boobah - it must have been available in UK long before being available here in Oz. Have absorbed yr encouragement :)