Alex Zaharov-Reutt
Thursday, 04 December 2008 02:56
Opinion and Analysis
Page 1 of 2
The beta versions of Vista SP2 and Window Server 2008 SP2 have now
landed for MSDN and TechNet users, and should be available for the
“general public” to also try tomorrow, while a Microsoft executive
tells CNET US that Windows 7 is not just a Windows Vista service pack.
Although the final versions of Vista and Windows Server SP2 aren’t due until
April 2009, Microsoft’s march to test the beta versions has been underway for some time.
“Technology Adoption Program” (TAP) customers were able to receive the initial Vista SP2 beta during the Microsoft Professional Developer’s Conference, where the Windows 7 pre-beta was released.
Clearly some extra polishing has now taken place, and the beta versions for Vista and Server 2008 are ready for additional testing by a wider audience in the “customer preview program” (CPP).
DailyTech has
more details, and quotes Microsoft saying:
“The CPP is intended for technology enthusiasts, developers, and IT Pros who would like to test Service Pack 2 in their environments and with their applications prior to final release. For most customers, our best advice would be to wait until the final release prior to installing this service pack.
“For those of you who choose to test this service pack, we encourage you to install the beta as soon as you can; your feedback will help us to ship a solid and stable service pack for Windows Vista.”
Meanwhile, Ina Fried at CNET US has
reported Microsoft insisting that Windows 7 is definitely not a “service pack” to Windows Vista, but instead a “major update”.
CNET quoted Bill Veghte, the senior vice president of the Windows division who said Windows 7 is “a minor release when it comes to incompatibilities” and that “there are plenty of great things in there that make it much more significant than a service pack.”
So, is Windows 7 a major update, or not? Please read on to page 2.
