Dear Beta Participant

[echrada]

Exploring Windows: Special Beta Edition


Dear Beta Participant:

Thank you for joining us on our shared journey to Windows® 7. The work we've done is largely based on the feedback we've gotten from you before and throughout the development process. We rely on beta testers, like you, to help refine the product before it's commercially released. If you haven't already installed the Beta, we want you to! Please refer to the Installation Instructions to get started.
As you test drive the Windows 7 Beta, we hope you'll see:
- It's faster and easier to do the things you do every day through simplified navigation, easier connections to networks and devices you are using, and enabling better online experiences
- Your PC works the way you want it to with faster boot-up and shut-down, better personalization, and more sensible tools for managing your PC
- Inspiring new things you want to try, like more intuitive ways to interact with your PC and easy ways to share media across PCs in the same house


Additional Windows 7 content can also be found on the Windows 7 website.

While the Beta automatically reports crashes and bugs to Microsoft® over the Internet, we also invite you to participate in the Windows 7 Beta online forums, or to send feedback to us through the built-in Feedback tool.

We'll check back with you in about 10 days with more information about the Beta. To get more general information on Windows, make sure you're subscribed to the Exploring Windows newsletter. Thanks again for your investment in Windows 7.


The Windows 7 Beta Team

 

[Mark]

Yeah I got that Email a few Hours ago too, I hope everyone is sending feedback so this will the best OS it can be, it's all good coming up with our own fixes for our problems but it's not going to help the next person who has that problem.

 

[garysgold]

I haven't gotten the email, but I'm sending feedback. Everyone says Microsoft won't listen. Well this is my chance to tell them my likes and dislikes. There probably won't be another chance until the next beta, so I say take advantage of it.

Gary

 

[echrada]

As far as I am concerned the more feedback the better for us all. It doesn't matter if it is positive or negative, MS needs to hear it without trimmings.

 

[swarfega]

Brinks: Just an idea! How about putting a link to the feedback on the top of the forum? Either to open the application or to go to the website.

 

[davehc]

I haven't gotten the email, but I'm sending feedback. Everyone says Microsoft won't listen. Well this is my chance to tell them my likes and dislikes. There probably won't be another chance until the next beta, so I say take advantage of it.

Gary

Stay prominent with Microsoft. It's all good luck with the Beta testing. I don't think you will get the Email now, as it originally came out in the middle of December, shortly after the invitations to be a Beta tester. (But maybe it is being refreshed, as Mr. Grim has received one.) It also came with a free Technet subscription, in some cases, to facilitate the downloads of future releases.
Keep the feedback going, its a good way to get noticed.

 

[garysgold]

Stay prominent with Microsoft. It's all good luck with the Beta testing. I don't think you will get the Email now, as it originally came out in the middle of December, shortly after the invitations to be a Beta tester. (But maybe it is being refreshed, as Mr. Grim has received one.) It also came with a free Technet subscription, in some cases, to facilitate the downloads of future releases.
Keep the feedback going, its a good way to get noticed.

Thanks Dave. I have been sending feedback since 6801 and am not going to be bashful now.

Gary

Edit: I do wish that I got a little window saying feedback received though. All I see is my network meter gets a little jump, so am guessing they are receiving.

 

[smarteyeball]

In all honesty, I'd hate to be the poor bugger reading all that feedback

Doesn't stop me sending it though

 

[davehc]

There must be so many repeats that they probably file most of it in the waste bin. But if you flood them, perhaps sometimes your signature will stick.

 

[garysgold]

I think of it more like a vote. They may not keep the whole note, but if I was doing it, I'd want to know how many people want this or didn't like that. Same with problems. If it only affects a few people then they may have to live with it. You can't please everyone. If it affects tens of thousands of people, something has to be done about it.

Gary

 

[garysgold]

Just received my 'Dear Beta Participant:' email.

Gary

 

[Lebon14]

Got that mail too. Didn't read it but kept it.

 

[mansrm81]

I've gotten 2 of those emails.

 

[renthor]

Received mine today too. Thanks to here though, I didn't have to read it.

 

[djhallucn8]

I gots mine!!

 

[davehc]

Thanks Dave. I have been sending feedback since 6801 and am not going to be bashful now.

Gary

.

Gary, I think I was guilty of a little misunderstanding on this thread. I was referring to Beta testers.
One of my enthusiastic family has justy received an Email which seems to tally with this.
You are concerned with being a Beta tester. I think it is a fine line in this particular case. Half of the interested world have downloaded the official, public release. This of course, makes them Beta participants. I really could not split the difference, but I would not be sure that this makes them, automatically, Beta testers?? I doubt if Microsoft could afford to hand out all those free Technet Plus subscriptions, although I do remember reading a few months ago that they intend to rationalise there various subscription offers, and even abandon some, so it possibly does not worry them too much??

 

[garysgold]

Hi Dave,

I doubt that it worries them any. They want and need the *buzz*. It doesn't worry me any either. Maybe they listen, maybe they don't. But just in case they do.... I think Bill Gates once said if they're going to pirate software, I want them to pirate our software. Not the exact quote maybe. I don't have any paid subscription to Technet, but have been considering it. Doesn't really matter if they notice me. That's not really my intent. Just hope they consider what we all have to say.

Gary

 

[johngalt]

They must be going alphabetically - cause I *finally* just received my letter....

 

[djhallucn8]

They must be going alphabetically - cause I *finally* just received my letter....

Your right, my last name starts with an A so that could be possible.

 

[Mark]

Anyone got this one yet?





Comprehensive resources to begin your evaluation experience.

Dear Beta Participant:

By now, we hope that you have installed and activated the Windows® 7 Beta. Remember that you need to activate the product within 30 days or you will experience reduced functionality. If you have misplaced your product key for activation, don't worry. Just return to the site where you downloaded the Beta , and re-enter your Windows LiveT ID to obtain the product key you were assigned when you downloaded the product. (Additionally, your product key will work for up to three separate computers so if you want to install the Windows 7 Beta on another PC, you can reuse the same key.)

Need help? Need help? While we are not able to provide phone support for the Windows 7 Beta, we do have a place where you can go for answers. Experts on the Windows 7 Beta Forum can help answer your questions. The forum also provides a vehicle for you to share what you have learned with others.

We hope you are enjoying Windows 7 and discovering the many new features. We encourage you to try your normal applications and devices - including printers, scanners, cell phones and cameras - with Windows 7 Beta. This will give you a real life experience and help us make Windows 7 the best product possible. The valuable information you provide will be used by our engineering team to make improvements that you will see when Windows 7 is launched.

Below are a few features that you may not yet have discovered. Remember to use the "Send Feedback" tool (on the Windows 7 desktop) to let us know what you think as you try these and other features.


-
Search Federation: Search information on the PC, mail or SharePoint in a consistent way.
-
DirectAccess: Gives mobile users seamless access to corporate networks without a need to VPN.
-
BranchCache(TM): Decreases time branch office users spend waiting to download files across the network.
-
BitLocker(TM) & BitLocker To Go(TM): Helps protect data on PCs hard-drives and memory sticks, with manageability to enforce encryption and backup of recovery keys.
-
AppLocker(TM): Specifies what software is allowed to run on user's PCs through centrally managed, but flexible, Group Policies.
-
Deployment Tools: Maintain images with enhanced offline servicing, deploy using less bandwidth.
-
Windows PowerShell 2.0: With graphical editor, easier to automate repetitive tasks.
-
VDI Enhancements: Improved user experience for VDI with multimon and microphone support.


Thanks again for helping us finish Windows 7!

Sincerely,
Windows 7 Beta Team