Though it's still in its preview phase, anyone can sign up (read: no invites necessary).

ENGADGET: Microsoft launches Outlook.com, a new email service with limited ads, unlimited storage and built-in Skype

"During this transitional phase the priority is to keep Portsmouth Football Club operating, " it read.

BBC: Takeover still on track - Pompey

The Internet is currently in what Gates called Phase 2, in which users view one site at a time, use the Web mostly to read information and remain chained to keyboards, while the economy's main stage remains offline.

CNN: Technology - Gates offers developers glimpse of Next Generation Windows