Tech Stream

New Windows

6 May 2009

Microsoft’s much hyped, long-awaited new operating system, Windows 7, has been released to the public for testing.  The “Release Candidate” version can be downloaded in English, German, Japanese, French, and Spanish but expires on the 1st of June 2010.   They are recommending a certain level of tech-savviness or IT skills – the ability to properly backup your data for example, so think a little before jumping in at the deep end with an operating system that could still be buggy.  But it will be the final testing version of the software before Microsoft ships it to computer makers to install on new PCs for sale. The release comes as Microsoft announces a second round of layoffs (their own beta-testers perhaps?) after disappointing financial results for the first quarter of 2009.

I think I’ll run a story on this in the Tech Stream radio program this week – so I’m keen to hear your thoughts on the new operating system, or whether you think sending out a beta version like this on such a grand scale is a good idea. Should they just release Windows 7 for free, now, in its current form, and continually upgrade and update it like many other OS and general software makers do?