Windows 7 Beta Man to the Rescue?
Posted by Windows7ClassAction on January 11, 2009
Right now, as I type, I am downloading the Windows 7 Beta. I’m at 14% and counting.
“Traitor!”, you cry.
No, no, please let me explain. I never said that Windows 7 was going to be a bad Operating System. I haven’t tested it yet. The early reviews are a decidedly mixed bag, but I’m actually rooting for Windows 7.
Why am I rooting for Windows 7?
Well, first of all, I want it for FREE as compensation for the pain and suffering inflicted upon me by Vista. I’m hoping that Microsoft has taken the Vista lemon and gives me lemonade.
Secondly, I’ve been a faithful Windows user since Al Gore invented the internet, and I’m generally a “mate for lifer” type. My alternatives are to join the Mac Snobs and pay the corresponding premiums, or become a Linux nut. I love Linux as a server, but for my OS? Nah. I never cared much for DOS line commands in Windows, so the serious geek tweeking of Linux just doesn’t appeal to me.
Ok, so back to downloading Windows 7… hmmm, it is now at 28%. I guess that means that Microsoft fixed the download problems that forced them to pull the beta offering Friday (the same day they first offered it).
So goal one – to determine if the Windows 7 Beta Download was fixed seems to be accomplished. Although I haven’t tried to grab an install key yet. [UPDATE - Whoops! I just realized that upon download I was given a Product Key to use in the dialog box - although I haven't tried it yet.]
The next obvious question is – so what happened on Friday? Why did the download meltdown? Is Microsoft short on servers or something? Somebody call Amazon quick! It will be interesting to see what the hard core geeks have to say about this.
Here are my theories…
1) Microsoft just really is that dumb and were poorly prepared for the download hits even though Ballmer goosed it on Wednesday.
2) Bug Spin. I read at least one report that the beta install delivered BLUE SCREENS OF DEATH when installed as an upgrade. Is it possible that the beta code was pulled because they had to fix something right out of the chute? So Microsoft figured it would be better to say that the download servers were hammered than to say that there were problems with the install code.
3) Microsoft still does not “Get It”. People really, really, hate Vista. Really. Maybe Microsoft figured that only geeks were going to download this beta. My guess is that a lot of ordinary Joe’s and even some completely clueless end users are trying to install it. Because they weren’t going to be able to figure out a downgrade to XP on a brand new machine, and they’ve been living with the stinking pile that is Vista and cursing under the breaths about the stench for years. So they figure anything would be better than Vista and they are trying to install and run Windows 7 Beta on a primary machine. Thus, Microsoft might have vastly underestimated the amount of downloads of the beta.
One final question. What am I going to do with this Windows 7 Beta that is now at 94%? I honestly have not figured that out yet. I’ll get back to you.
