Do Testers get a free copy of Vista?

[Guest]

Do Beta testers receive a gold/RTM copy for free to use with no limits?

I have beta tested other MSFT products before and received a free copy, well
it was RTM disks with an RTM activation code with no restrictions - a kind of
'thank you' from MSFT. But I'm not sure if they do the same thing with an OS.

 

[Tom Porterfield]

Do Beta testers receive a gold/RTM copy for free to use with no limits?

I have beta tested other MSFT products before and received a free copy,
well it was RTM disks with an RTM activation code with no restrictions -
a kind of 'thank you' from MSFT. But I'm not sure if they do the same
thing with an OS.

With past OS releases active testers did get a free NFR copy of the final
product (thinking XP, ME, 98SE and 98 from experience). It has not been
said if they will do the same with Vista.

 

[Paul Smith]

Do Beta testers receive a gold/RTM copy for free to use with no limits?

I have beta tested other MSFT products before and received a free copy,
well
it was RTM disks with an RTM activation code with no restrictions - a kind
of
'thank you' from MSFT. But I'm not sure if they do the same thing with an
OS.

It's decided on a per program basis. Current those that know aren't
talking.

--
Paul Smith,
Yeovil, UK.
Microsoft MVP Windows Shell/User.
http://www.windowsresource.net/

*Remove nospam. to reply by e-mail*

 

[Mark Gillespie]

Do Beta testers receive a gold/RTM copy for free to use with no limits?

I have beta tested other MSFT products before and received a free copy,
well
it was RTM disks with an RTM activation code with no restrictions - a
kind of
'thank you' from MSFT. But I'm not sure if they do the same thing with
an OS.

I hope not, as personally I know Connect Vista testers, one has never
bothered submiting any bug reports, and simply used it as a way to get
early access to the OS, the other has submitted a couple of reports
specific to what he was working on.

Myself on the otherhand, who is not a sacred Connect tester, but got my
copy via MSDN, has submitted at least 100 bugs, and I will get jack-sh...

I did suggest via the Vista feedback system, that discounts/free copies
should be rewarded based on number of verified/unique bug reports
submited. Rewarding those who provide good feedback rather than those
lucky enough to get selected, but can't be bothered...

 

[David Wilkinson]

I hope not, as personally I know Connect Vista testers, one has never
bothered submiting any bug reports, and simply used it as a way to get
early access to the OS, the other has submitted a couple of reports
specific to what he was working on.

Myself on the otherhand, who is not a sacred Connect tester, but got my
copy via MSDN, has submitted at least 100 bugs, and I will get jack-sh...

I did suggest via the Vista feedback system, that discounts/free copies
should be rewarded based on number of verified/unique bug reports
submited. Rewarding those who provide good feedback rather than those
lucky enough to get selected, but can't be bothered...

Mark, I think this is a good idea.

BTW, did you ever get any feedback on your bug reports? I am beginning
to wonder if the reason I never did was that I did not register for the
beta program, but rather used the MSDN Ultimate key. I did sometimes use
the public downloads, because MSDN did not get them all, and when they
did it was always several days behind the public one.

The only reason I slavishly downloaded every available version was that
this seemed the only way to find out if my bugs had been fixed. Some
were in RC2 (actually in 5728), but quite a few were not.

Will MSDN members get RTM, do you know?

David Wilkinson

 

[Tom Porterfield]

Will MSDN members get RTM, do you know?

If you have an MSDN Operating Systems or higher subsciption (basically any
subscription other than MSDN Library) then your subscription will include
the final release of Vista.

 

[Mark Gillespie]

Mark, I think this is a good idea.

BTW, did you ever get any feedback on your bug reports?

That really was the biggest kick it the nuts, my inbox was filled with bug
report feedback on Connect, that I could not actully access, as I was not
a Connect tester!!!

I really hope Microsoft learnt some lessons from the Beta program, but I
hoped the same from th XP beta program, and nothing seems to have changed
that much..

 

[David Wilkinson]

That really was the biggest kick it the nuts, my inbox was filled with
bug report feedback on Connect, that I could not actully access, as I
was not a Connect tester!!!

I really hope Microsoft learnt some lessons from the Beta program, but
I hoped the same from th XP beta program, and nothing seems to have
changed that much..

Mark:

But you did get email feedback on your bug reports? And you used the
MSDN Ultimate key? I got nothing, zippo. It was like reporting into a
black hole.

I have to say it made me absolutely furious. I would have said the hell
with it, but I am a developer and these Vista bugs had mostly to do with
installing/uninstalling applications, and I really cared (still care)
about them being fixed.

David Wilkinson
Visual C++ MVP

 

[Jane C]

David, you didn't file your bugs as 'anonymous' did you? I received email
feedback on mine. Not a Connect tester for Vista, so of course I couldn't
follow the links either.

 

[Mark Gillespie]

Mark:

But you did get email feedback on your bug reports? And you used the
MSDN Ultimate key? I got nothing, zippo. It was like reporting into a
black hole.

I have to say it made me absolutely furious. I would have said the hell
with it, but I am a developer and these Vista bugs had mostly to do with
installing/uninstalling applications, and I really cared (still care)
about them being fixed.

David Wilkinson
Visual C++ MVP

I reported using the bug reporting tool, I ensured I used a valid email
address (there is an option to file bug reports anonymously). I'm running
"Vista Home Premium", as I figured most users are testing Ultimate, as
this provides a wider testing of the various flavours.. I doubt it makes
any difference however. As mentioned, I got plenty of emails, However, I
could not get to any of the links or requests for additional info :-(

 

[David Wilkinson]

David, you didn't file your bugs as 'anonymous' did you? I received
email feedback on mine. Not a Connect tester for Vista, so of course I
couldn't follow the links either.

Hi Jane:

No. In fact I carefully followed the instructions that I found in this
forum for filing the reports in such a way that you should get emails.

David Wilkinson

 

[David Wilkinson]

I reported using the bug reporting tool, I ensured I used a valid email
address (there is an option to file bug reports anonymously). I'm
running "Vista Home Premium", as I figured most users are testing
Ultimate, as this provides a wider testing of the various flavours.. I
doubt it makes any difference however. As mentioned, I got plenty of
emails, However, I could not get to any of the links or requests for
additional info :-(

I did it the same way. And I know I used a valid email address.

I wonder if the version does make a difference. The MSDN Ultimate key is
different from the others (you don't have to request it).

David Wilkinson

 

[Guest]

Just another fast note on the subject of reporting bugs. I have reported many
and have always received a reply and usually two or three per bug. I agree on
the idea of only the ones reporting bugs be available for free copies of
Vista. Have a great evening all.

 

[Jerry P]

I been a beta tester for some time now. As of today's date, I have submitted
157 errors, found in IE7, Office 2007, using Vista all builds. I like to be
the 1st on the block to try anything new. If MS sends me a free copy, fine,
great, if not I still will buy MS products that fit my needs for work/home.
With 2 kids in college, 4 computers here at home, with legal XP OS per PC,
I sure could use some help.........hint...........

 

[Robert Firth]

Speaking of improving bug reporting, Microsoft is working on a new bug
reporting tool for the next time around. They had a survey on Connect about
possible features about a month ago I think. Also, the connect site is
always being rewritten, so maybe in the future you will be able to see your
own reports...

Robert Firth
http://www.winvistainfo.org

 

[David Wilkinson]

I never got E-mails either but everything that I sent a report on works
in RC2. I dont think that I made much of a difference but I have
enjoyed the whole experience. It wont make any difference if I get a
copy free or discounted thats not why I signed up for this.

In a year there will be more copies than you will know what to do with.
I have ended up with 6 copies of XP home, 1 XP Pro and 1 MCE.

I'll buy a 1 copy to upgrade one of my laptops and sign up for the next
beta.

Dan:

I was not looking for free copies either, though I think rewarding those
who found bugs is a nice idea.

I just wanted to get rid of the bugs in Vista that created a negative
user experience for users of my own software.

It is very strange that some (most?) people received email feedback,
while others did not. I would still like to understand why, even though
it is too late to do anything about it now.

David Wilkinson

 

[progressive realization]

Define who you mean the "testers" are?

Anyone who has been a part of the vista beta and rc downloads?

 

[Jerry P]

I have received quite a few emails in regards to the bugs I submitted.
Jerry

 

[Chris May]

| Rob wrote:
| > Do Beta testers receive a gold/RTM copy for free to use with no limits?
| >
| > I have beta tested other MSFT products before and received a free copy,
| > well it was RTM disks with an RTM activation code with no restrictions -
| > a kind of 'thank you' from MSFT. But I'm not sure if they do the same
| > thing with an OS.
|
| With past OS releases active testers did get a free NFR copy of the final
| product (thinking XP, ME, 98SE and 98 from experience). It has not been
| said if they will do the same with Vista.

You mean people are foolish enough to test Vista for Microsoft without any
promise of compensation. MS will make huge amounts on Vista. Why would anybody
work for such a rich company free of charge?

I think P. T. Barnum said it first... ;>

ChrisM

 

[Tom Porterfield]

You mean people are foolish enough to test Vista for Microsoft without any
promise of compensation. MS will make huge amounts on Vista. Why would anybody
work for such a rich company free of charge?

I think P. T. Barnum said it first... ;>

I would say a large number do it because for job or other reasons they need
to be on top of emerging technology.