Free download of Windows 7 beta!
First stop inside was Microsoft… still very few details on Windows 7 beta being released today. A rep at the booth happily told us it’s free to download. When I asked about down the road- you know, minor issues like the payment I’m sure Microsoft will want for their new flagship operating system- I was told … it’s a free beta test.
Got it, thanks. But what about when the beta expires?
Another attendee asked about downgrading back to Vista or XP- not possible we were told. There was a vague reference acknowledging that, yes, in fact, obviously you would have to pay at some point down the line- but in the meantime- did they mention free beta? Well after scouring for details, I finally came across a great piece from our college Ed Baig @ USA Today featuring his interview with Steve Ballmer after his keynote Wednesday night.
Finally some details! Oh, wait, it seems there’s a gap! The beta will expire in 6 months, and you can’t buy the real version until end of 2009 at the earliest. What? Who thought of this? So if you install now, you have to revert back in 6 months? I’m no longer excited. Darn!
I also have to admit I am shocked (SHOCKED!) at how little press this beta release is getting. Am I the only one thinking it’s mighty odd that Microsoft is releasing a free beta of a major operating system? Free. Try it out. I know they want to talk about anything but the negative press on Vista (Ed Baig offers Microsoft’s claim that nearly 90% of Vista customers are satisfied. HA! On what scale? I’d like to see those surveys.) Anyway, just thought it was striking how little was being made of this. Especially when Microsoft 7 wasn’t really expected until later in the year.
[Amber's note: I like Vista...]
In a further demo of Windows 7 at the Microsoft booth, though, I did see one particular feature that stood out. When you plug in a device, for example a digital camera, it automatically opens a window with a picture of your specific device, as well as battery life, memory card space left, the owner’s manual, and more. That seemed awfully smart- especially when the only complaint about my trusty Canon PowerShot camera is how it goes from full battery to 5 shots left with no in between. This would be great to have.
Download it now… www.microsoft.com/windows7 -- Let us know what you think! Good luck!
--Peter Szabo
Got it, thanks. But what about when the beta expires?
Another attendee asked about downgrading back to Vista or XP- not possible we were told. There was a vague reference acknowledging that, yes, in fact, obviously you would have to pay at some point down the line- but in the meantime- did they mention free beta? Well after scouring for details, I finally came across a great piece from our college Ed Baig @ USA Today featuring his interview with Steve Ballmer after his keynote Wednesday night.
Finally some details! Oh, wait, it seems there’s a gap! The beta will expire in 6 months, and you can’t buy the real version until end of 2009 at the earliest. What? Who thought of this? So if you install now, you have to revert back in 6 months? I’m no longer excited. Darn!
I also have to admit I am shocked (SHOCKED!) at how little press this beta release is getting. Am I the only one thinking it’s mighty odd that Microsoft is releasing a free beta of a major operating system? Free. Try it out. I know they want to talk about anything but the negative press on Vista (Ed Baig offers Microsoft’s claim that nearly 90% of Vista customers are satisfied. HA! On what scale? I’d like to see those surveys.) Anyway, just thought it was striking how little was being made of this. Especially when Microsoft 7 wasn’t really expected until later in the year.
[Amber's note: I like Vista...]
In a further demo of Windows 7 at the Microsoft booth, though, I did see one particular feature that stood out. When you plug in a device, for example a digital camera, it automatically opens a window with a picture of your specific device, as well as battery life, memory card space left, the owner’s manual, and more. That seemed awfully smart- especially when the only complaint about my trusty Canon PowerShot camera is how it goes from full battery to 5 shots left with no in between. This would be great to have.
Download it now… www.microsoft.com/windows7 -- Let us know what you think! Good luck!
--Peter Szabo
Labels: Windows 7 beta
This entry was posted by Amber, on Friday, January 9, 2009. You can
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