Vista

More Windows 7 downgrade confusion

Microsoft did a good thing when it amended its planned Windows 7 downgrade rights to give PC buyers 18 months (instead of the original 6) from the October 22 ship date to downgrade to Windows XP or Vista or stick with Win 7.  So that gives you 18 months from Oct 22, or until Service Pack 1  (SP1) debuts, to decide.

But still, given that many shops wait till SP 1 to evaluate any Microsoft OS, there is still an issue.

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Windows 7 pricing news

Windows 7 pricing was posted on the Windows Team Blog Thursday.

Estimated retail price (ERP) on upgrades is $119.99 for Win 7 Home Premium; $199.99 for Professional; $219.99 for Ultimate. These (U.S.) prices are presumably for users moving from either Windows XP or Vista. Continued »

Microsoft muddles Windows 7 licensing, downgrades

Windows 7 isn’t out yet but nearly everyone is perplexed by Microsoft’s licensing and downgrade rights for the operating system.

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Win 7 promised for October 22

Microsoft got specific about general availability for Windows 7. The software will be on PCs and store shelves October 22, Microsoft said Wednesday. According to the Windows Team blog, partners should get RTM code in the second half of July. RTM code for Windows Server 2008 R2 will be available at around the same time.

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Top five lessons from TechEd

The pallid economy took its toll on TechEd 2009 attendance. But there were still lessons to be learned or reinforced. My top five:

 1: Microsoft burns with Silverlight fever. This is not a good thing. Microsoft, everyone knows you have Flash envy, but remember that many Web surfers hate, hate, HATE flashy multimedia sites that are more about showcasing technology than providing information. Remember, just because you can do something, doesn’t mean you should do it.  Show goers blasted the TechEd 2009 web site’s poor usability. Want to scroll down the sessions, put the cursor just there. No, not there. Scootch over–THERE! Try the schedule builder? Fuhgeddaboudit.  One of the greatest things about Google (yes, Google, get over it!) is its sparse interface.

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Vista who???

The most interesting thing–and there were several interesting things–in today’s TechEd 09 keynote was Bill Veghte’s words of wisdom to current Windows shops.

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What do you do after Vista?

What do you do after launching Windows Vista after many long years of development and several crumbled pillars? Apparently you record an album–er a CD.

Somehow this juicy item slipped through the cracks last week.  Jim Allchin, ex of Microsoft (ex of Banyan) and the guy behind Vista is cutting disks now.  A Microsoft insider has heard it and said Allchin had long surprised colleagues with his blues guitar expertise. “His playing is really excellent” this person said. But what about his singing? “Next question.”