Is Vista off to an early grave?
InternetNews.com is reporting that it has "learned" that Microsoft's
The speculation is that a beta version may be out as early as next month. Microsoft will have plenty of time to work out the bugs if so.
The rush is understandable, given the market's negative reaction to Windows Vista. Microsoft tried to counter the onslaught, which has come mostly from Apple's
Another reason to hurry is that even longstanding partners are getting cold feet. Dell's
Open-source solutions aren't necessarily gold mines, save for companies such as Red Hat
With so many computing applications having moved to the Web -- such as Google's
Microsoft has to be careful, though. There may be a pressing need to get Windows 7 out quickly, but it's more important for Microsoft to get this one right. It doesn't want another Vista on its hands.
A springtime launch may also explain why Microsoft recently started a $300 million ad campaign starring Bill Gates and Jerry Seinfeld. The ads have been building over the past week and have been pitching Microsoft instead of Vista.
So bring it, Microsoft. Vista unfairly got a bad rap, so make sure your next operating system launch is loud and sound.
Other ways to go Windows shopping: