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Vista to be Downloadable (Legally)

Posted by Zonk on from the hopefully-in-a-burnable-format dept.

ubermiester writes "InfoWorld reports that Windows Vista will be available for legal download as of January 30th — the same day it will be available in retail stores. MS-NBC Online notes that, 'a relatively low number of computer users are likely to get Vista by downloading it from the Internet, but the mere availability indicates that Microsoft is fiddling with distribution methods for the extremely profitable franchise at the core of its business.' It will be available via the MS Marketplace site in conjunction with a Circuit City offering. Additionally, users who decide to 'upgrade' to a more expensive version of the OS can simply activate the features they want by unlocking them via online activation."

24 of 283 comments (clear)

  1. Wow! by Threni · · Score: 5, Funny

    Next you'll be telling me you can buy car stereos from a shop, in a box and everything!

    1. Re:Wow! by x2A · · Score: 5, Funny

      I wouldn't pay too much attention;

      "a relatively low number of computer users are likely to get Vista by downloading it from the Internet"

      We know that bit's not true!

      --
      The revolution will not be televised... but it will have a page on Wikipedia
  2. Mirror by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Http://www.mininova.org
    Http://www.packetnews.com

  3. Just a few? by whterbt · · Score: 5, Funny

    A relatively low number of computer users are likely to get Vista by downloading it from the Internet.

    They're obviously unfamiliar with the concept of Bittorrent.

    --
    Too late to be known as Bush the First, he's sure to be known as Bush the Worst.
    1. Re:Just a few? by Achromatic1978 · · Score: 2, Funny
      Seriously, what is the benefit of adopting a new operating system with in 12 to 18 months of it being released?

      What, you're saying I should only now be considering moving my operating systems to Debian Sarge?

      Ye gods.

    2. Re:Just a few? by jlarocco · · Score: 5, Funny
      I've been using Vista beta's since summer. You don't notice it at first, but now it annoys me when I return to Windows XP at work.

      Same here, except I don't even run Vista.

      --
      Maybe not
    3. Re:Just a few? by janinl · · Score: 2, Funny

      I've been using Vista beta's since summer. You don't notice it at first, but now it annoys me when I return to Windows XP at work. Same here, except I don't even run Vista. Same here, except I don't even run Windows XP.
    4. Re:Just a few? by labyrinth · · Score: 2, Funny

      >>>I've been using Vista beta's since summer. You don't notice it at first, but now it annoys me when I return to Windows XP at work.
      >>Same here, except I don't even run Vista.
      >Same here, except I don't even run Windows XP.
      Same here, except I don't even have a job

  4. Windows Update by StarvingSE · · Score: 5, Funny

    I can just see the windows update icon popping up every few days on my windows XP machine.

    The following updates are available:
          [ ] Windows Vista

    Please click the upgrade button to download and have your credit card ready.

    --
    I got nothin'
  5. Re:It would be cool if.. by Lord_Slepnir · · Score: 2, Funny
    Except for the clueless users that would disable "Firewall" to save $5.

    not to mention that Microsoft would then have 2^n versions of windows to test, instead of just 3 (Diet Windows, Regular Windows, Server Windows).

  6. Vista will be legally downloadable!!! by anss123 · · Score: 5, Funny

    Linux, take that!

  7. Comment removed by account_deleted · · Score: 5, Funny

    Comment removed based on user account deletion

  8. Re:It would be cool if.. by JustNiz · · Score: 5, Funny

    $5 for windows firewall? is it worth that much?

  9. So? by workbench · · Score: 2, Funny

    I don't see what the big deal is, I've been downloading stuff "legally" for years...

    --
    Carry on.
  10. Re:OS Downloads by rbarreira · · Score: 2, Funny

    If you don't count your wireless card, your USB DSL modem, your scanner...

    --

    The AACS key is NOT 0xF606EEFD628B1CA427BEA93A9CA9773F
  11. Re:A few problems by eln · · Score: 5, Funny

    That's probably for the best. He said some really nasty things about your mother after that word.

  12. A few pointers... by wild_quinine · · Score: 2, Funny

    I wonder how many Microsoft Points that will cost.

  13. Re:Legally downloadable OS WOW by DaveM753 · · Score: 2, Funny

    It'll probably be something like:

    Notepad = $FREE
    Wordpad = $FREE
    Desktop icons = $FREE
    Themes = $FREE
    Networking = $299
    Installer = $99
    Start Button = $FREE
    Windows Genuine Advantage = $49 (MANDATORY)

  14. No officer, this isn't a pirated copy.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    I downloaded it from the internet!

  15. Re:Vista will be legally downloadable by aerthling · · Score: 2, Funny

    Yeah! It would fire chair-torpedoes and be manned by screaming, sweaty orangutans.

    Failing that, they could just crash into it.

  16. Downloadable Vista? by mgabrys_sf · · Score: 2, Funny

    Is this a favor or a threat?

  17. Re:It would be cool if.. by TheDreadSlashdotterD · · Score: 2, Funny

    Of course not. It's actually $0.002 and the rest is markup.

    --
    I have nothing to say.
  18. Re:That's a surprisingly good model IMHO by arifirefox · · Score: 2, Funny

    you get 50% discount but they sell off your soul to satan.

    --
    Firefox Power http://firefoxpower.blogspot.com/
  19. My Prediction by Schraegstrichpunkt · · Score: 4, Funny

    It'll be available for illegal download on January 29, 2007.

    --
    http://outcampaign.org/