Just a little fun post to express some opinions I have about the way things are working at Microsoft around Windows 7.

So the past week has been a little, shall we say, fun?  It seems every day brings more information, more screenshots, and more Windows 7 goodness!

One thing I will say first and foremost.  For all the non-believers out there, these screenshots and videos are indeed real.  What you are seeing is the real M1 build of Windows 7.  How do I know?  Well you’ll just have to take my word for it (no I don’t have the build so DON’T ASK ME FOR IT).

Now for the opinion part of this post.  I honestly think that it’s good that we’re getting to see tidbits of information and screenshots of Windows 7.  I think this allows people to get an inside look and become excited about the next version of Windows, which is a GOOD thing for Microsoft whether or not they want to admit it.  Although, I do have to say, this is something I would not have expected to see under Sinofsky’s rule in the Windows division (you know, everything uber secret and iron fisted consequences), but then again, this is what happens when you give code to OEM’s.  OEM’s leak, always have, always will.

Anyway, I think Microsoft needs to start being a little more open about Windows again, sort of like they were with Longhorn.  The whole Longhorn debacle was not due to the openness, it was due to the sad state of affairs at Microsoft at the time.  And also due to the genius (sarcasm) decision to halt Longhorn development and move everyone and their mother to XP SP2.  If it was me, I would have gone full steam ahead on Longhorn, and who knows how things would have been?  Maybe we would have a fully functioning OS with all of those awesome features that were demoed at PDC ‘03 and WinHEC ‘04.

Going forward I would definitely like to see Microsoft open up a little more.  And I would also like to see the beta program itself improve a little.  I can only hope Sinofsky doesn’t turn Windows betas into Office style betas where the testers are about as in the dark as someone who lives in a cave.