So I go to register at Outlook.com... 1. Enter details with a short, simple email address. Submit the form; 2. Sign up fails. I provided an alternative email

So I go to register at Outlook.com... 1. Enter details with a short, simple email address. Submit the form; 2. Sign up fails. I provided an alternative email address but not a phone number; apparently both are required for password recovery (why?), despite there being no indication both fields are required. Grudgingly give up phone number and try again; 3. Sign up fails. Apparently my phone number isn't valid, and I have to delete the first digit (0 in the UK, to be replaced by +44) for the form to accept it. Try again; 4. Sign up fails. For some reason the form has kept all my other details but has decided to lose the month and year of my DOB. Re-enter those details and try again; 5. Sign up fails. I was presented with the same CAPTCHA for the first three attempts but apparently it's now changed; Enter new CAPTCHA and try again; 5. Sign up fails. Finally, the form tells me the short, simple email address I chose is taken. There was no indication when I entered the address; 6. Give up and forget about it.