Policy Question -- Windows Vista Beta

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Guest

As an official Windows Vista Beta tester, I seem to be constrained to stick
with Windows Vista Beta 2 in order that I may submit feedback to Microsoft.
(This impression comes from trying to move to a CTP and finding the Feedback
mechanism does NOT work.) Yet, I am still interested in advancements made
visible in the newer CTP releases. What to do? Also, any prediction as to
when so-called RC1 will be delivered to me?
 
I don't know about delivery, but the mailings may begin as soon as late next
week.

Sticking with Beta 2 for the purpose of giving MS feedback is pointless.
They aren't using Beta 2 anymore so why should you? Your feedback on build
5600 is all that can make any difference now. I don't know what feedback
mechanism you are talking about, but I just used the Microsoft Beta Client
to send a bug report on RC1 and I didn't encounter any problem.
 
William;
If you are posting in these public newsgroups and waiting for RC-1, you
probably are a Customer Preview Program (CPP) participant and not "an
official Windows Vista Beta tester"
The Technical Beta testers already have access to RC-1.

The two program are different with different objectives.

How are you attempting to use the feedback mechanism?
Exactly how are you getting there?

Did you click the "How to share feedback" icon on the Desktop?
Then click on "Problem reporting tool"?
 
"The two program are different with different objectives."
Would you mind elaborating on the differences?
 
The names suggest the purpose.
The CPP is so potential customers can preview the product for their own
purpose with nothing more expected in return from Microsoft.
The members of the Technical Beta are expected by Microsoft to use it and
report bugs as they are discovered.
 
As you read the GetReady page you see that the Customer Preview Program is
for Developers, IT Professionals, and Technology Specialists to begin or
continue testing against Vista. That is to say, to see how Vista works in
their professional environments and with their products. The focus is not
so much on Vista itself but how Vista integrates into and supports their
work. That it is also available to amatuers like us is just a byproduct of
how the beta was made accessible since participants are left to judge for
themselves how they fit into the categories of customers described on
GetReady.

The TechBeta serves Microsoft by providing feedback on Vista itself. But
the TechBeta also is much broader than Vista. A lot of TechBeta is about
Longhorn Server beta, which is not even available to CPP. TechBeta is also
tasked with testing IE7 for XP, which of course is out of scope for the CPP
and the Vista newsgroups as well.
 
I received a letter that addressed me as an official Vista Beta tester. I
have communicated with Microsoft who acknowledged my status as an official
Vista Beta tester. So I consider myself an official Vista Beta tester with
all the rights and privileges appertaining thereto ... or something like
that. Anyhow, my experience was that after installing a CTP release beyond
BETA2 the desktop Feedback icon worked but complained about something after I
composed and sent a message. I assumed that was a subtle message from
Microsoft that I wasn't privileged to send feedback. Telephoning "support"
about changing machines on which I was testing Vista produced an interesting
behind the scenes factoid. There is a program called "Friends and Family"
who rate immediate telephone attention that mere Vista Beta testers don't
enjoy. I assume FAF program members are closely related to actual MS
employees.
 
That is probably resolved by using the MBC Help facility. See "FTM Error
12019 and interrupted transfer issues."

Why aren't you using the betanews.microsoft.longhorn.xxx newsgroups put in
place for official beta testers such as you? Or are you a TAP tester?
 
Are you a member of the Tech Beta Colin?.


Colin Barnhorst said:
As you read the GetReady page you see that the Customer Preview Program is
for Developers, IT Professionals, and Technology Specialists to begin or
continue testing against Vista. That is to say, to see how Vista works in
their professional environments and with their products. The focus is not
so much on Vista itself but how Vista integrates into and supports their
work. That it is also available to amatuers like us is just a byproduct
of how the beta was made accessible since participants are left to judge
for themselves how they fit into the categories of customers described on
GetReady.

The TechBeta serves Microsoft by providing feedback on Vista itself. But
the TechBeta also is much broader than Vista. A lot of TechBeta is about
Longhorn Server beta, which is not even available to CPP. TechBeta is
also tasked with testing IE7 for XP, which of course is out of scope for
the CPP and the Vista newsgroups as well.
Click to expand...
 
I was surprised because your use of the third person plural "us" implies you
are part of the "Customer Preview Program", when in fact you are part of the
Technical Beta Testers group.
 
Many people are part of multiple programs.
He may be a CPP participant as well.
Participation in one program does not preclude participation in another.
 
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