Windows 7 - Microsoft Sets the Stage for Windows 7

Next week, Microsoft will unveil an early version of the successor to its much-maligned Windows Vista operating system-and all indications are that it will (surprise!)take a stripped-down approach.

As users continue to grouse about Windows Vista nearly two years after its introduction, Microsoft appears relieved to turn its public focus on the next release of its flagship operating system. Pre-beta code (as Microsoft calls it) for Windows 7 is reportedly already in developers' hands, and reviewers are slated to have their first peek on the eve of the Microsoft Professional Developers Conference in Los Angeles next week. The OS itself is slated to appear in early 2010-a scant three years after its predecessor.

Last spring, Microsoft's lead Windows spokesperson Chris Flores wrote a blog post saying Windows 7 would refine (but not abandon) the Vista kernel. However, additional details about the new OS's features have been scant-and Flores and others have basically said this is because they don't want to create expectations that might not be fulfilled. (Remember when Vista was going to include the database-like WinFS file system?) Consequently Microsoft says it will talk only about features that will definitely be in the OS.

Read more - PC World - Microsoft Sets the Stage for Windows 7

MS really need to add a "Grouse here where somebody cares" button and pay someone to sit on the other end and go "I know, I know. That nasty MS is a big brute, forcing you to join the now. You bought your computer 8 years ago and it won't run Windows 7. I understand. Do go on. Oh, I know, I know"

I though a pre-beta was considered an Alpha. Will the release progression will now be along the lines of:

pre-beta
Beta
Internal-Beta
Beta 1
Beta 2
Post-beta
Post-beta 2
RC1-beta
RC1
RC1.5 Leaked Torrent
RC2-beta
Post-RC2
RTM/OEM
etc.....


They should avoid overhyping 7 and let it speak for itself. A lot of the bitching about Vista is that it wasn't Longhorn.

Hi loopyloo, Does this post mean we will have another 14 months to learn all about Windows 7, without actually seeing it, or using it?