I know I am not the first to mention Windows Live Writer as a great blogging tool. I’ll mention it anyway, maybe someone will see this post who missed the various positive mentions from other posters (and not just the GWB folks).
The install was painless aside from unchecking about seven other MS/MSN junk I did not need. I have used it for a little while now and have had no issues publishing or updating posts. The two main items I like about Live Writer are saving a post before publishing it (i.e. when interrupted by the kids) and the ease at which you can add tags. I use the Technorati tags and adding them into a post for the tag cloud is a snap.
And I can’t forget maybe the best feature (at least for me anyway) spell check!