Do Beta Testers Get Free Copy of Final Release

[Jason Saffer]

When I received an e-mail invitation to beta test Vista, it said the following:

Invitation to participate in Windows Vista pre-RC1 test program
We would like to invite you to help test the latest build of Windows Vista.
Thank you for participating in the Windows Vista Beta 2 Customer Preview Program (CPP). Your help is playing a critical role in improving the overall quality of what we believe is one of the most important OS advances in the history of PC computing. As a participant in the Beta 2 CPP, you will be able to download Windows Vista Release Candidate 1 (RC1) as soon as it becomes available.
In the mean time, we are inviting a limited number of CPP participants to help test a pre-RC1 build. Your timely feedback on this build will help us improve the quality of the final RC1 release that will be available to millions of customers in the coming weeks.
We are only making 100,000 downloads of this build available. As soon as we reach 100,000 downloads, the program will be closed. Participation in this program is not required for participation in the RC1 CPP. Whether or not you participate in this pre-RC1 test, we will send you another email message to alert you to the availability of the final RC1 build.

I am wondering if this means that I am eligible to receive a free copy of Vista when it is released. Is the RC-1 build the production version that is going to be offered in stores?

I'd appreciate if anyone knows specifics about this. Thanks very much.

....Jason

 

[Guess Who]

No, no, no, no, no.

RC1 is most likely the last BETA version before the code goes gold. The RTM
version would be what is shipped out as the "final" code for Vista. This
WILL NOT be free to CPP beta participants.

When I received an e-mail invitation to beta test Vista, it said the
following:

Invitation to participate in Windows Vista pre-RC1 test program
We would like to invite you to help test the latest build of Windows
Vista.
Thank you for participating in the Windows Vista Beta 2 Customer
Preview Program (CPP). Your help is playing a critical role in improving the
overall quality of what we believe is one of the most important OS advances
in the history of PC computing. As a participant in the Beta 2 CPP, you will
be able to download Windows Vista Release Candidate 1 (RC1) as soon as it
becomes available.
In the mean time, we are inviting a limited number of CPP participants
to help test a pre-RC1 build. Your timely feedback on this build will help
us improve the quality of the final RC1 release that will be available to
millions of customers in the coming weeks.
We are only making 100,000 downloads of this build available. As soon
as we reach 100,000 downloads, the program will be closed. Participation in
this program is not required for participation in the RC1 CPP. Whether or
not you participate in this pre-RC1 test, we will send you another email
message to alert you to the availability of the final RC1 build.

I am wondering if this means that I am eligible to receive a free copy
of Vista when it is released. Is the RC-1 build the production version that
is going to be offered in stores?

I'd appreciate if anyone knows specifics about this. Thanks very much.

....Jason

 

[Guest]

No. testers don't get a free copy of Vista when it ships. RC1 isn't what will
be sold on shelves. RC1 is Release Candidate 1. Release Candidate means,
rather it use to mean, that MS is saying "hey guys, we think this is release
quality, do us a favor and give it a once more over, before we ship".

That is what RC was through to XP, then with Vista, it's just another stage
of testing.

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

No, neither the CPP participants nor the Technical Beta members are promised
anything for free.
You are NOT a Beta tester.
Instead you are a participant in the Customer Preview Program (CPP)
The Technical Beta and the CPP are two different programs with different
purposes.

All that Email says is that you may be able to download a Beta version of
Vista.

--
Jupiter Jones [MVP]
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar
http://www.dts-l.org

When I received an e-mail invitation to beta test Vista, it said the
following:

Invitation to participate in Windows Vista pre-RC1 test program
We would like to invite you to help test the latest build of Windows Vista.
Thank you for participating in the Windows Vista Beta 2 Customer Preview
Program (CPP). Your help is playing a critical role in improving the overall
quality of what we believe is one of the most important OS advances in the
history of PC computing. As a participant in the Beta 2 CPP, you will be
able to download Windows Vista Release Candidate 1 (RC1) as soon as it
becomes available.
In the mean time, we are inviting a limited number of CPP participants to
help test a pre-RC1 build. Your timely feedback on this build will help us
improve the quality of the final RC1 release that will be available to
millions of customers in the coming weeks.
We are only making 100,000 downloads of this build available. As soon as we
reach 100,000 downloads, the program will be closed. Participation in this
program is not required for participation in the RC1 CPP. Whether or not you
participate in this pre-RC1 test, we will send you another email message to
alert you to the availability of the final RC1 build.

I am wondering if this means that I am eligible to receive a free copy of
Vista when it is released. Is the RC-1 build the production version that is
going to be offered in stores?

I'd appreciate if anyone knows specifics about this. Thanks very much.

.....Jason

 

[Jeff]

Jupiter,
Gettin a little testy?? LOl
Jeff

 

[Chad Harris]

Actually Jupiter, I'm betting even money they do. It should be the least
reason to Beta test though. The information traded on the groups among
some very good user enthsiasts along with the MVPs should be one of the top
reasons , not to mention that MSFT cuts off their nose to spite their face
when they make the Beta chats hard to find for the public and deny them
access to live meetings and any semblance of bug reports on Connect.

Coupled with the absolute scarcity of decent Technet type articles on
Vista's practical major everyday features and utilities and omponents by
MSFT's technical community liason writers that are assigned to each Vista
team, I'd say this is a huge shortcoming for MSFT and has to compromise some
of the books that will show up on shelves soon for Vista.

There is some great information on many of the Technet and MSDN blogs, but
that's an ectopic, metastatic out of the way location for the general public
logistically and time wise.

CH

 

[Gary MCSE]

When we tested XP Professional X64 Edition, we were given the opportunity to
"Swap" one good copy of XP X86 for a Copy of X64.
Not necessarily a free copy because we already had a copy of XP that we had
purchased prior to testing X^$..

Gary MCSE

When I received an e-mail invitation to beta test Vista, it said the
following:

Invitation to participate in Windows Vista pre-RC1 test program
We would like to invite you to help test the latest build of Windows Vista.
Thank you for participating in the Windows Vista Beta 2 Customer Preview
Program (CPP). Your help is playing a critical role in improving the overall
quality of what we believe is one of the most important OS advances in the
history of PC computing. As a participant in the Beta 2 CPP, you will be
able to download Windows Vista Release Candidate 1 (RC1) as soon as it
becomes available.
In the mean time, we are inviting a limited number of CPP participants to
help test a pre-RC1 build. Your timely feedback on this build will help us
improve the quality of the final RC1 release that will be available to
millions of customers in the coming weeks.
We are only making 100,000 downloads of this build available. As soon as we
reach 100,000 downloads, the program will be closed. Participation in this
program is not required for participation in the RC1 CPP. Whether or not you
participate in this pre-RC1 test, we will send you another email message to
alert you to the availability of the final RC1 build.

I am wondering if this means that I am eligible to receive a free copy of
Vista when it is released. Is the RC-1 build the production version that is
going to be offered in stores?

I'd appreciate if anyone knows specifics about this. Thanks very much.

.....Jason

 

[Gary MCSE]

Something to consider is this:
How many so called Beta Testers ever send a bug report?
Be aware that Microsoft keeps a close watch on those that do send Bug
reports and If I was Microsoft, I would take care of those that actually
took the time and effort to report any problems found.
A $.10 DVD is a very inexpensive way to get reliable "Field Testing".

Gary MCSE

When I received an e-mail invitation to beta test Vista, it said the
following:

Invitation to participate in Windows Vista pre-RC1 test program
We would like to invite you to help test the latest build of Windows Vista.
Thank you for participating in the Windows Vista Beta 2 Customer Preview
Program (CPP). Your help is playing a critical role in improving the overall
quality of what we believe is one of the most important OS advances in the
history of PC computing. As a participant in the Beta 2 CPP, you will be
able to download Windows Vista Release Candidate 1 (RC1) as soon as it
becomes available.
In the mean time, we are inviting a limited number of CPP participants to
help test a pre-RC1 build. Your timely feedback on this build will help us
improve the quality of the final RC1 release that will be available to
millions of customers in the coming weeks.
We are only making 100,000 downloads of this build available. As soon as we
reach 100,000 downloads, the program will be closed. Participation in this
program is not required for participation in the RC1 CPP. Whether or not you
participate in this pre-RC1 test, we will send you another email message to
alert you to the availability of the final RC1 build.

I am wondering if this means that I am eligible to receive a free copy of
Vista when it is released. Is the RC-1 build the production version that is
going to be offered in stores?

I'd appreciate if anyone knows specifics about this. Thanks very much.

.....Jason

 

[Michael Cecil]

Something to consider is this:
How many so called Beta Testers ever send a bug report?
Be aware that Microsoft keeps a close watch on those that do send Bug
reports and If I was Microsoft, I would take care of those that actually
took the time and effort to report any problems found.
A $.10 DVD is a very inexpensive way to get reliable "Field Testing".

Or how about $10 per bug reported?

 

[Kerry Brown]

Just because someone doesn't submit any bug reports doesn't mean they didn't
test a product. It may mean they didn't encounter any bugs. It may also mean
they did a bit of research and found the bug had already been submitted and
was fixed in a newer build.

 

[Guest]

Actually some of the beta testers will receive a free final released copy of
Vista. One of my betas is the Windows Feedback Panel Vista Beta.

This beta does give you a released copy when Vista is shipped out in January.

The difference of the Windows Feedback Panel beta is that they only gave me
one disk (my choice of x86 or x64.

This beta also provides complete support by email, chat or telephone.
Whereas, the CPP doesn't.

Here is the letter given when I received the invitation:

----- Original Message -----
From: Windows Feedback Panel
To: (e-mail address removed)
Sent: Tuesday, May 09, 2006 6:16 PM
Subject: Preview Windows Vista!














Dear Windows Feedback Panelist,



As one of our valued customers, we invite you to participate in a program to
preview our newest operating system – Windows Vista™.



Windows Vista is beta software. A beta is a pre-release version of software
that is

distributed to a limited set of people in order to test the software’s
functionality and receive important feedback. This will help shape the
released version of Windows which will be used by millions of people around
the world. We also believe it will be a lot of fun to work and play with the
very latest software.



If you decide to participate, you will receive a beta version of Windows
Vista to try out, and we ask you to report any problems you find to help
improve the version of Windows Vista we release to the world. Your
participation is completely voluntary; to thank you for participating we will
give you the final released version of Windows Vista! To learn more about
Windows Vista, visit http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/default.mspx.



As a participant you'll be asked to install Windows Vista on the computer
where the Windows Feedback Panel software is installed, once you receive the
DVD and installation instructions in the mail. Please note that Windows Vista
Beta is only available in DVD format, so a DVD-ROM drive is required for
participation.



After installing Windows Vista, you will continue to use your PC just as you
do today. The Windows Feedback Panel software will operate on your computer,
collecting a small amount of data about how your computer is working and how
you are using Windows Vista. We ask that you use Windows Vista for the
duration of the program. This program is scheduled to start in June and end
when the final version of Windows Vista is released.



During the program we have arranged for you to have access to free technical
support from Microsoft Product Support Services through a dedicated 800
number. Phone support will be available Monday - Friday, 5:00am - 9:00pm PST,
and Saturday - Sunday, 6:00am - 3:00pm PST.



Click the link below to register your interest in the program by May 16, 2006.

https://deploy.ztelligence.com/start/index.jsp?PIN=138AXNHVJ2LVE.



Thank you for your support of the Windows Feedback Panel!



Sincerely,



Jennifer S.

The Windows Feedback Panel

http://wfp.microsoft.com

 

[Jeff]

Well;
That's gonna cause an uproar in other beta's!!!!
LOL
HAHAHA
That's great actually; good to see they're looking out for some people.
Jeff

 

[Techno-Crat]

Have you called and received support?

Actually some of the beta testers will receive a free final released copy
of
Vista. One of my betas is the Windows Feedback Panel Vista Beta.

This beta does give you a released copy when Vista is shipped out in
January.

The difference of the Windows Feedback Panel beta is that they only gave
me
one disk (my choice of x86 or x64.

This beta also provides complete support by email, chat or telephone.
Whereas, the CPP doesn't.

Here is the letter given when I received the invitation:

----- Original Message -----
From: Windows Feedback Panel
To: (e-mail address removed)
Sent: Tuesday, May 09, 2006 6:16 PM
Subject: Preview Windows Vista!














Dear Windows Feedback Panelist,



As one of our valued customers, we invite you to participate in a program
to
preview our newest operating system – Windows Vista™.



Windows Vista is beta software. A beta is a pre-release version of
software
that is

distributed to a limited set of people in order to test the software’s
functionality and receive important feedback. This will help shape the
released version of Windows which will be used by millions of people
around
the world. We also believe it will be a lot of fun to work and play with
the
very latest software.



If you decide to participate, you will receive a beta version of Windows
Vista to try out, and we ask you to report any problems you find to help
improve the version of Windows Vista we release to the world. Your
participation is completely voluntary; to thank you for participating we
will
give you the final released version of Windows Vista! To learn more about
Windows Vista, visit http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/default.mspx.



As a participant you'll be asked to install Windows Vista on the computer
where the Windows Feedback Panel software is installed, once you receive
the
DVD and installation instructions in the mail. Please note that Windows
Vista
Beta is only available in DVD format, so a DVD-ROM drive is required for
participation.



After installing Windows Vista, you will continue to use your PC just as
you
do today. The Windows Feedback Panel software will operate on your
computer,
collecting a small amount of data about how your computer is working and
how
you are using Windows Vista. We ask that you use Windows Vista for the
duration of the program. This program is scheduled to start in June and
end
when the final version of Windows Vista is released.



During the program we have arranged for you to have access to free
technical
support from Microsoft Product Support Services through a dedicated 800
number. Phone support will be available Monday - Friday, 5:00am - 9:00pm
PST,
and Saturday - Sunday, 6:00am - 3:00pm PST.



Click the link below to register your interest in the program by May 16,
2006.

https://deploy.ztelligence.com/start/index.jsp?PIN=138AXNHVJ2LVE.



Thank you for your support of the Windows Feedback Panel!



Sincerely,



Jennifer S.

The Windows Feedback Panel

http://wfp.microsoft.com

 

[Guest]

I have used the email support numerous times and the MS support staff were
very helpful, if not overbearing. They will keep emailing you until they are
sure that your issue is resolved.

I haven't used the phone support only because I prefer email support to
phone. I like to take my time to follow the directions of the email.

Have you had issues with phone support? I have no doubt the phone support
would be just as helpful..

They are really trying to work out the kinks in Vista..

 

[Chad Harris]

Gary--

The quality of bug reports is a big factor in getting picked for other prime
Betas like Office and Windows that only come around very infrequently. The
big incentive for a lot of people is that they are very into the OS or
Office or both, and they have ideas they would like to lobby for or want to
make sure that things are working as well as possible so that people aren't
vexed/annoyed by them later.


Whether people file bugs or participate has no impact on their deciding to
give freebies. What does is if they thing the ends justify the means and it
will stimulate sales. If giving 27000 TBTs (CAP is getting plenty of swag)
Vista helps sales, and it probably does, they do it. I'm sure Office will
get Office. Last time around if you went to the launch you got Office.
Also the partner meetings will be giving out some Vista and Office--always
happens but maybe not early on.

If Vista doesn't have the dramatic adoption rate that the slides MSFT has
circulated to some of us predict, they'll be giving away a lot more to goose
sales.

What makes no sense is that to date, out of 27000 TBTs or so, less than 5%
participate in newsgroups they provide. Only 100-200 show up for their
chats and Live Meetings with all kinds of info on Vista that they
ridiculously fail to provide the public to educate themselves. While the
chats can be found on the web, MSFT has ignorantly failed to lift a finger
to put them on all the common Vista sites. That's neglegent as far as their
purported teaching role. MSDN and Technet doesn't have them and it would
take minutes to archive them in one place. MSFT Vista team bloggers are
posting some of them, but it's a big oversight on MSFT's part for a company
that prides themselves on teaching web sites and teaching programs. They
have a very tin ear for this and many other aspects of correcting Vista
problems.

CH

 

[Chad Harris]

Yo Kerry--

Show me that place on Connect where the public has any significant access to
bugs for Vista.

Show me that place on all of MSFT's sites where any significant papers on
much of Vista are located or articles on some of its mainstream features
that aren't at 3rd grade level.

I've seen a few white papers that are very technical and math driven, but
basics like Win RE and SFC in Vista nada. The product guide was a
syncophantic cheerleading joke.

I'm talking about good info that's hands on. They salary several writers on
the Vista key teams who aren't doing their job at all.

I wonder where somoene like Ed Bott can find enough comprehenisve info to
write a 1600 page Inside Out without access to what they aren't putting on
sites with about 50 days or so to internal RTM of Vista.

CH

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Gary;
That was an option available to everyone as long as they had an appropriate
version to exchange.
There was no requirement or even suggestion that deal was only for testers.

 

[Jim Fraas]

Giving free copies based on bug reports would be an incentive to give fake
bug reports in an attempt to get a free copy of the Gold master.

My idea woukld be discounts for those who participated like 20% off any
upgrade license.

 

[Kerry Brown]

Chad

Did you have a question related to my post or are you just ranting in
general

In some of the webcasts and chats I have been asured that publicly reported
bugs from CPP users are taken seriously, but you are right the public has no
way to track the progress. I am not a member of the technical beta and have
only ever installed CPP and CTP versions available on MSDN. I have had a
couple of emails about bugs I submitted via the feedback icon on the desktop
so the reports obviously went somewhere.

I also agree the offline help has been dumbed down but the online help is
starting to come together.

http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/default.mspx

Much of the content is still under development. Vista is still in beta and
subject to change. Now that RC1 is out I expect to see the online stuff take
shape pretty quickly. I think it has been a conscious decision by Microsoft
to make the easily accessable help just that, easy. The real meat should be
available on Technet or elsewhere once the RTM is released.

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

That is a program I had forgotten about.
I also did not know it came with a released version of Vista.

But that is not the Technical Beta, that is a different program using the
Beta software just as the CPP is still another program.
Or do you also have access to the private Vista Beta newsgroups, websites
etc because of the Windows Feedback Panel Vista Beta?
Over the last two years I have received Vista Beta builds from at least 4
different programs, one program gave one build.
Only one of them is the Technical Beta.

In either case, it should not cause "an uproar in other beta's" since
Microsoft as any private business is free to do with their resources as they
seem fit.
Anyone causing an "uproar" over something like this proves, at least to me,
they really should not be included.

--
Jupiter Jones [MVP]
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar
http://www.dts-l.org