They're taking a page from Linux distros. There are Fedora and Ubuntu launch parties and install parties with every release.

Scott, you're wrong, but it was kept in mind. Windows 7 is coming out because they botched Vista. It's just a big fix and user have to pony up to pay for it.

I'm running Windows 7 RC, right now, and I'll probably end up installing it at some point, but really don't use it much. I have 2 Linux distros installed and am going to install a 3rd. Linux is fascinating and fun. Windows is a headache. Which would you rather have?

Getting back to the Inquirer basics. Constant humor and mockery, great story, keep these up.

P.S. What happened to all the nicknames? Damn voles buy our Inq?

... the video that is!! It's the worst, most lame, sad, puke evoking advert/infotainment vid i've ever had the misfortune to see - i just couldn't force myself to watch more than a minute or two of it. WTF made MS think this was in anyway a good idea. More importantly, is there anyone on the planet who watched this and thought "Oooo, I want to put on a party, i'd better go get myself a copy of W7" ? If my life was in anyway represented by the people or ideas in that video i would do the world a favout and kill myself.

Anyone know what's in this party pack? Is that the "win7 ultimate", or some strip down "home basic" (which is not worth of getting)?

And will they include a free PC too? Mine is a few years old, seems wouldn't survive the win7...

I've attended some Microsoft events before. They weren't "parties" but some preview sessions and such. The only reason I went was for the free goodies (free copy of Vista I can use as an upgrade license, etc.). It certainly wasn't for the sea of mid-thirties, half-balding IT dudes in dress shirts who were there for the content.

To that end, Microsoft's presentations are not bad, and the speakers are well informed and able to answer any questions. These Windows 7 "parties"--who knows what will happen, but if you give free stuff, they will come.

I'm guessing the majority of these "parties" will be on the order of "okay guys, stand over here so I can take a picture to 'prove' I hosted it." Then the remaining "real" party goes on, with nothing related to Windows. That's how I'd host it anyway.

I am afraid I couldn't stomach watching that entire video clip (nor the rest of the assumedly-equally-moronic videos). And then there was the Microsoft award-winning "bing-goes-the-internet" video (say no more, right?).

But even here, I am sure there is a valuable lesson to be learned. Microsoft thinks people are so incredibly stupid and inept that they have to be told how to live out their pathetic lives in a way that maximally benefits Microsoft. They have such a low opinion of their "potential customers" that they produce insulting "instructional videos" like this.

Apparently we are just here to grin and give our money to them, while they tell us exactly how to "tell" others how to do the same. And all for a warmed-over service-pack of their last failure -- Vista -- which should have been provided free of charge to those who already lost hundreds of dollars on that trash.

Are some people's lives really so empty that they prostitute themselves in this manner? What would your friends think if you suddenly ask them over in order to expose them to predigested corporate propaganda, just because you are being bought-off with 10 cents worth of plastic in a DVD? I would suggest that this would be a great way to lose friends.

How do they verify if you actually held an "approved" party? Will they have an Internet site that asks people "is the launch party you attended legal?", and then ask them to rat you out for some similarly-insulting little trinket.

The whole thing is revolting, as is the corporation which spawned this drivel. At least open source does not insult your intelligence, or your value as a human being.

'sniff'..or not...Mine is the "Windows 7 Launch LAN" because what better way to break in a new OS but with a 30 hour fragfest. They give you 4 themes to choose from but I don't know what marketing imbecile left out a category for gamers. I chose the "media mania" theme because somehow "photopalooza", "set up with ease" and "family friendly fun" weren't very adequate for Call of Duty 4 and Left 4 Dead.

Scummers !!! Who's computers you borrowing ????

Where can I dig up some surrogates for the Microsod coming out do?

You know we'll lose.

Well done mr David Neal, this made me laugh.

Maybe the Inq isn't dead yet?

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If you post anything on the internet, enterprising minds will find it and improve upon it. I much prefer this version of the Microsoft party hosting video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gyas7BrbUFY

The only reason they came out with 7 is because of netbooks. Then they omitted the only thing I liked about Vista, windows mail. Now you will have to install a whole other bunch of bloat the new mail.Or if you smart just use thunderbird.

I got "honored" with this (free copy of win7. Yay!!). I conveniently scheduled mine at same time as Saints football game at about 4 pm, which means we will probably have been drinking since noon or before. I am not sure how interested in win7 they will be, but it should be lively!!! Go Saints!!!