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."

Comments

Wow!

[Threni]

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

Re:Wow!

[x2A]

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!

Mirror

[Anonymous Coward]

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

Just a few?

[whterbt]

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.

Re:Just a few?

[MillionthMonkey]

No, Bittorrent will be where you go to find older versions of Windows, so you can get component video, or maybe just a stable system with no "tilt bits" purposefully introduced every time the compressor turns on in the kitchen fridge.

I must be turning into an old person, the kind you see still using rotary dial phones and rabbit ear antennas. Who needs this newfangled Vista crap! In my day, when you bought music or a movie, it was yours! Now they want you to rent every pleasurable stimulus that enters your senses! These city folk will do anything for a dollar!

Re:Just a few?

[asills]

If they release the same version that got released via MSDN/Technet (one disc image with all versions on it), then it's 2.5GB for the x86 and 3.5GB for the x64.

Re:Just a few?

[jlarocco]

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.

It would be cool if..

[JustNiz]

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.

Re:It would be cool if..

[JustNiz]

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

Good for the environment

[Lord Satri]

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.)

Windows Update

[StarvingSE]

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.

Vista will be legally downloadable!!!

[anss123]

Linux, take that!

Comment removed

[account_deleted]

Comment removed based on user account deletion

Will it be cheaper?

[WhiteWolf666]

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!

Re:Will it be cheaper?

[goarilla]

has a detailed online help system

hahahaha you got to be kidding me

do you mean the info that is stored here http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/w indows/*
and here http://www.microsoft.com/technet/*.

trust me that ain't much and it ain't comprehensive neither

Get the facts first!

[Anonymous Coward]

Give this a read before buying Fista:

http://seclists.org/isn/2006/Dec/0107.html

Re:Get the facts first!

[VertigoAce]

First of all, as far as I can tell, that article only applies to HD-DVD and Blu-Ray content. For example, "since S/PDIF doesn't provide any content protection, Vista requires that it be
disabled when playing protected content." I tried this with DRM protected audio (streaming from Zune Marketplace) and sure enough it played on my surround sound system with no problems. Similarly, I played a DVD with DTS audio perfectly fine over the optical cable (Vista actually made this easier since it ships with a DVD decoder, unlike XP which requires you to purchase a 3rd party decoder). In other words there is no loss in functionality with respect to existing DRM-protected media (i.e. if it worked on XP it'll work the same on Vista).

So if these problems only apply to HD-DVD and Blu-Ray, I don't see them as a criticism of Microsoft and Vista, but rather to the content producers who demand these changes. As far as I know, Apple has not announced the details of commericial HD playback, but I'd be surprised if they produce something with significantly fewer restrictions. And obviously Linux won't be supporting these discs legally any time soon. It seems to me that the best option is to just continue ignoring the existence of these new discs and you won't be affected by any of this.

Re:Get the facts first!

[trianglman]

Not to be stripped of any slashdot cred, but I don't understand why the GPP got modded down as a troll. While you can hold MS accountable for DRMing to death the HD DVD playback capabilities, its no more of a sellout than anything else MS has done for the past decade and more. And, IIRC, the media distributors are requiring all hardware, PC or otherwise, that plays HD DVDs to be DRMed to death. Blaming MS for a policy being handed to them from the media companies is like blaming MS software vendors for following idiotic MS policies, the policies aren't good, and (if it worked in an idealistic way) would be stopped by the free market, but they aren't the fault of the people who follow them.

Place the blame where it belongs...

That's a surprisingly good model IMHO

[erroneus]

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.

Re:A few problems

[MrDoh1]

"... windoze ..."

Could this get any older?

Regardless, it's where I stop reading.

Vista already legally downloadble

[assassinator42]

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.

Re:Vista already legally downloadble

[fo0bar]

I have a MSDN subscription through work, and downloaded Office 2007 when it was released to subscribers a few months ago.

(It's nice, for business use at least. I wouldn't pay for it at home (that's what OOo is for), but I love it when I switch to "business user" mode.)

Re:A few problems

[eln]

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

Re:A few problems

[NSIM]

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.

What economic incentives will be given?

[definate]

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.

Re:It should be true...

[Spike15]

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. It's a great gaming OS...so...being a gamer...I do...

My Prediction

[Schraegstrichpunkt]

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

Re:It should be true...

[Keruo]

> 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.