Lovegrove proposed that Microsoft either create a Metro version of Live Writer that will run on Windows 8 and Windows RT, or release the software's source code so that others, presumably developers like him, "can keep [it] going and keep it fresh."

Lovegrove has created numerous plug-ins for Windows Live Writer to help bloggers using WordPress. one of the most popular blogging platforms, build and maintain their sites.

As of 1 p.m. ET, Lovegrove's petition had collected 100 signatures, doubling its total in two hours. By 4 p.m. ET, more than 200 had signed the petition.

Users of the application bemoaned its apparent death in comments left on the Wednesday blog post by Microsoft.

"Please tell me that you are not killing Windows Live Writer," wrote Navjot Singh in a comment today.