Comments on: Microsoft Releases Vista 5728 To Connect Testers

By: Ryan

Ryan — Mon, 25 Sep 2006 22:03:44 +0000

There were hacks for Windows XP Release Candidates that would remove the timebomb before XP was officially released…and I imagine Vista will be similar.

By: Inferno_str1ke

Inferno_str1ke — Mon, 25 Sep 2006 16:58:50 +0000

That hacker point is one I’ve often thought about – how long before hackers can crack the Vista beta builds so that they won’t expire. How long after that will they start being able to generate valid keys for future people to use these beta versions.

By: outrage and interest at staying.cool

outrage and interest at staying.cool — Fri, 22 Sep 2006 23:31:08 +0000

[...] and finally, i’m officially going to lament about this: even though i have an official RC1 product key, and i can download legally and test (even the latest 5728 release); i can’t. one laptop, that is the be-all and end-all; and basic hdd space. arrrrrrrgh. [...]

By: mediaphile

mediaphile — Fri, 22 Sep 2006 21:35:16 +0000

I’m just impressed with them freely giving away the beta versions. Obviously it benefits them by building a community of users that otherwise might not have switched had the product not been free, and they get thousands of free bug finders. But the serials last all the way through until mid 2007, so anyone who has no need to upgrade their computer gets to just continue using vista even after it has been commercially released.