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Vista to be Downloadable (Legally)
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."
Next you'll be telling me you can buy car stereos from a shop, in a box and everything!
Http://www.mininova.org
Http://www.packetnews.com
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.
you could just activate the individual features you are interested in, rather than have to buy say vista ultimate just to get one feature you need that happens only to be in ultimate.
You know what that means?
Paired with the cracked activation server(s), January 31st you will be able to buy the most basic version and almost instantly be able to upgrade to the 'ultimate' for free.
I'll go ahead and say 'I told you so' now, because ms's track record with security has, and always will be subpar at best.
...a relatively low number of computer users are likely to get Vista by downloading it from the Internet...
:)
I would say that is accurate. If you're smart enough to be able to download Vista you can download your favorite Linux distro instead with less effort. It also stands a good chance of working with your hardware, unlike Vista.
As much as some can hate Microsoft, this is good and others should follow. At least good for the environment, less hardware, less energy used for shipping. Of course, the ability to burn an Install and Crash/Recover DVD is essential. It even allows reaching the customers faster. I guess it would also be appropriate to continue shipping physical copies for those with limited Internet access and/or want the user manual. (I don't think this will significantly impact piracy. Piracy will occur anyway.)
Animoog.org
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'
Linux, take that!
Comment removed based on user account deletion
Otherwise, I assume this is just an MS attempt to cut down the (minimal) costs they spend on the useless mini-manual and DVD in an envelope packaging.
You buy SuSE, you get 4 manuals that describe, in detail, every function of the system, from installing to CD burning to firewall configuration to scanning/printing.
You buy Windows? You get a 12 page manual that decsribed the on button, and how to use a Mouse. Enjoy!
WhiteWolf666 an exBush supporter. All you new-school,compassionate,save the children Republicans can rot in hell
Give this a read before buying Fista:
http://seclists.org/isn/2006/Dec/0107.html
Okay so I don't imagine myself participating as a consumer, I have to admit that if they play this right, they will be able to sell minimalistic versions of their OS (or pass them out in magazines and newspapers) just to get things started. Then, if people want more functionality, say to burn a CD/DVD or whatever, they pay for it incrementally. It would make the OS feel more affordable. I can imagine many people going for this.
I don't see what the big deal is, I've been downloading stuff "legally" for years...
Carry on.
"... windoze ..."
Could this get any older?
Regardless, it's where I stop reading.
I am Homer of Borg. Resistance is Fut.. Mmmmmmmm, Donuts!
Through MSDN. You download the ISO and they give you a product key. Will the new download service work the same way?
The bigger news is that Microsoft is also selling Office this way. I know I can't download Word/PowerPoint/Excel through MSDNAA, and I also believe that you can't download it from regular MSDN.
That's probably for the best. He said some really nasty things about your mother after that word.
Microsoft has been doing download distribution of VISTA along with license keys throughout the beta program, I would imagine that the system they will be similar. The activation key is created by a server at Microsoft and it's basically the same thing you'd get on the outside of shrink wrapped box. If I forgot the key I can go back to my Microsoft account and retrieve it, or I can keep a copy on a burned CD or whatever.
As for corrupted downloads, in the process of the Vista beta I downloaded probably 10-15 different copies of the DVD ISO as I progressed through various builds and never had a single corrupted ISO, so I don't see that being a problem. If it had been corrupt I would simply have gone back and re-downloaded. I don't see any reason why the new system would not work the same way since there is no danger from a user downloading multiple copies of the ISO.
I wonder how many Microsoft Points that will cost.
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 = $49 (MANDATORY)
Fine by me, will just get the license key and issue a chargeback on the card :-)
(joking of cause, I'll not be buying software)
The revolution will not be televised... but it will have a page on Wikipedia
I downloaded it from the internet!
Agreed. It's right up there with the use of "M$".
I guess most people haven't heard of msdn, where literally every microsoft product ever is available in downloadable form.
Besides, it's obvious now that vista is out that nobody cares.
I think you're getting confused with the idea of software that comes in two flavors of copy protection, either physical disc-based or online-activation based, where traditionally the former is the lesser of two evils.
But as of Windows XP, Windows already uses online internet activation, regardless of where the bits to install come from. So it doesn't make any difference whether you get it over the internet or get it off a disc. Either way, you enter the product key and the OS contacts Microsoft with a hash of representing your hardware and checks to see how that product key has been used before, with some unspecified limit of installs--per-time-unit before they want you to call on the phone and discuss whether or not you're really moving your copy instead of installing it on 20 PCs or whatever.
Yeah! It would fire chair-torpedoes and be manned by screaming, sweaty orangutans.
Failing that, they could just crash into it.
If I purchase it online, will the pricing only reflect Online Marketing costs, Online Packaging costs, Online Distribution costs, and the same development costs as are associated with the physical product? Or will it be more like traditional vendors where we are in effect paying the whole amount, and therefor paying for part of the physical product?
I highly doubt Microsoft will take into account activity based costing in respect to the product pricing. Especially since it would benefit them to charge the same amount or close to it, and improve the overall profitability of the physical product.
This is my footer. There are many like it, but this one is mine.
How long will it take to hack this so-called "digital locker"?
\
Sounds good, until that one feature you want requires twelve other features to be installed. It'd be just like yum, except instead of asking if it's ok to download 350MB, it asks if it's ok to charge you $350. Sign me up!
Is this a favor or a threat?
Whether it's for general use, or just to have a look, who wants a locked-down, glorified media OS on their machine? I sure don't.
Also, the only differences between Server and Workstation were one registry entry, at least, according to e2.
I've upped my standards, so up yours.
If I was buying Vista, I'd want to know that I could sell or transfer the license just as easily with a downloaded version as a boxed copy. Say 6 months later I belatedly see the light, decide to upgrade my machine to Ubuntu and sell my Vista license on eBay. I imagine that it'll be a lot harder to convince people it's genuine without a box, a physical DVD and a holographic sticker. Plus, I have to pay for a blank DVD to burn the download on.
Regardless of the software you're buying that's a terrible value proposition. It doesn't make sense to me unless they're offering a substantial discount.
On the other hand, I think this will actually be a good thing in countries like the UK where retail prices never reflect a fair currency conversion. (You poor Poms really do get screwed) A guess a lot of that mark up is tax, which for the moment most governments don't seen to have caught onto yet...
One of these days I'm moving to Theory - everything works there
I agree, but funny how you've been labeled "Flamebait" because your opinion goes against Slashdot group-think.
It'll be available for illegal download on January 29, 2007.
http://outcampaign.org/
> It's a great gaming OS
Windows Vista Ultimate +3 games(well you get hearts, minesweeper and solitaire..) $450
(above does not include any hardware, add $1500 for semi-decent gaming system)
Microsoft Xbox 360 core ($299) + 3 games of your choice (~$150) $450
Nintendo Wii ($250) + 3 games of your choice ($150) $400
Sony playstation 3 basic ($499)+ 3 games of your choice ($150) $650
(add $1000 for semi-decent tv for consoles)
Truly great gaming platform, no doubt..
You could buy x360, wii and decent tv and still have some money to spare, where your vista rig doesn't even have any games yet.
There are no atheists when recovering from tape backup.