unfair to have to pay for full version in a year's time?

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Does anyone else it is bit mean of Microsoft to ask people to test out Vista
for them in the real world through this Beta, then expect them to pay for not
just the upgrade, but perhaps the more costly full version?

Surely we should get it for free for helping them out?

:o)
 
Does anyone else it is bit mean of Microsoft to ask people to test out Vista
for them in the real world through this Beta, then expect them to pay for not
just the upgrade, but perhaps the more costly full version?

Surely we should get it for free for helping them out?
Click to expand...

I think by releasing this microsoft was thinking more along the lines of
showing people how great Vista is so they would be excited about buying it ...

Looks like their plan backfired ...

lol

- JB
 
Does anyone else it is bit mean of Microsoft to ask people to test out Vista
for them in the real world through this Beta, then expect them to pay for not
just the upgrade, but perhaps the more costly full version?

Surely we should get it for free for helping them out?

:o)
Click to expand...

How many detailed bug reports have you sent in?
 
Another person who wants something for free. Microsoft is doing such a wide
release of the beta so that more "regular" people can have some input on the
final product. So many people are using the beta that if it were free in the
end MS would go broke. It takes millions of hours to create a good OS. If you
like the final product, buy it, if not use XP.
--
AMD-FX-60
2gb OCZ Plat. memory
ATI 1800 AIW
2x74gb Raptors in RAID-0
2x400gb WD HDD in RAID-1
Epox Nvidia-4 Ultra M/B
Senior Member Overclockers.com
 
Not really, the Vista preview is really something free already given to you
by Microsoft.

Most people in these public newsgroups with Vista are part of the Public
Beta which is also called the Customer Preview Program.
While you can test and submit bugs, the emphasis of this program is to give
people a chance to preview Vista.
The CPP is primarily a benefit for the customer.

The Technical Beta testers on the other hand have their own private
newsgroups.
But even they have no guarantee of free or even discounted Vista.
 
I think people missed the point of my post.

My comment was that people who are beta testing Vista "may" have to pay MORE
for the final version, as they may have to buy the full version rather than
the upgrade. Here in the UK the full version usually sells for £50+ more
than the upgrade.

I have beta tested lots of software and always given full feedback, reported
bugs and suggested solutions. In return I have always got either the final
version free, or a at discount by way of thank you. May be thats because, in
the main, I test out education software.

Again thats not really my point, it is the possibility of paying more and
actually being penalised for being a beta tester.

ps - Sorry for posting in 3 posts, it kept telling me the submission had
failed.
 
Since you have beta-tested "lot's of software" you have most likely followed
all the proper steps, like making backups, dual-booting or using Vista only
 
Why would a Beta tester have to buy the full version?
There is no more reason for a Beta tester to need a full version than anyone
else.

With Windows XP both the full and upgrade could perform an upgrade and a
Clean installation.
I expect the same with Vista.
For a Clean Install using an upgrade CD, qualifying media may need to be
inserted for a few minutes.
An installation of a Beta OS or the Beta CD does not a qualify.

Are you in the Technical Beta fro Vista or the Customer Preview Program?
Most in this newsgroup are not technical Beta testers.
 
I am in the Customer Participation Programme and as such suprised at the
rudeness of some of the comments. Perhaps the two camps should have been
seperated (hehe)

Your reply has been the most helpful Jupiter, it seems I may have
misconstrude this clause

"Upgrade limitations
You may not be able to upgrade your installation of Windows Vista Beta 2 (or
RC1) to the final, commercially available edition of Windows Vista. To
upgrade you will need to acquire the final full edition of Windows Vista and
you may have to do a clean installation."

Having a licensed copy of XP I was concerned that I may have to buy a full
version and not be able to buy the upgrade.
 
Generally it is a bad idea to upgrade a Beta since unknown Beta code may be
left behind.
So Microsoft may not allow such an upgrade.
They tell us that in advance so we can plan accordingly.
Then you know a Clean Installation may be necessary.
But you can use the Upgrade as described or sometimes install the previous
OS and upgrade from there.
Sometimes the 2nd option is necessary for OEM where the CD provided is not
recognized as qualifying media.

--
Jupiter Jones [MVP]
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar
http://www.dts-l.org
 
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