From the same press release:

"Windows Marketplace makes it fast and easy to download large programs such
as Windows Vista through its digital locker technology. Digital locker
combines the immediacy of downloaded software with the security features of
owning physical media like a DVD - it uses innovative security technology to
store purchased software and license keys, efficiently resumes downloads if
they are interrupted, and manages the overall installation process. More
information can be found on Jan. 30 at http://www.windowsmarketplace.com."

I have never bought software (or anything else) from Windows Marketplace,
but it sounds like they plan to improve it anyway.

For their sake, I hope the reference to resuming downloads, etc. isn't a
reference to Microsoft FTM used by MSDN, Technet and others. What was it
they used during CPP -- Akamai? I avoided that and used my own favorite
download manager. But it *sounds* like they may try to make this more
user-proof by even helping the downloaders burn the DVD. ???? Nah, I must
be dreaming. :-}




"MICHAEL" <u158627_emr@dslr.net> wrote in message
news:ugsaifwOHHA.960@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...[color=blue]
> Good catch, Robert.
>
> I think it's great Microsoft is doing the download thing...
> I don't think it's going to be great for this newsgroup.
> Even though it will probably be a small percentage who
> do that- a small percentage out of millions of users will
> be a lot. Imagine, there were users during the beta stage
> of Vista who called themselves "beta testers" and had no
> idea what to do with the download once it was done or how
> to properly burn it. Then, there were also users who just
> couldn't get it to burn properly and had to reduce their burning
> speed.
>
> Something wicked this way comes....
>
>
> -Michael
>[/color]

In message <edOA5#rOHHA.3944@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl> "Richard Urban"
<richardurbanREMOVETHIS********.com> wrote:
[color=blue]
>It looks like it has been finalized.
>
>See here from CNET News:
>[url]http://news.com.com/Microsoft+tries+to+spread+Vista+far+and+wide/2100-1016_3-6150933.html?tag=nefd.top[/url]
>
>Buy boxed Vista Ultimate edition and get 2 copies of Vista HOME Premium for
>$50.00 per copy.
>
>I think that is something that most everyone can accept![/color]

Interesting, that's not half bad.

--
If a job is worth doing, then get someone in to do it properly.

In message <uICuL1uOHHA.4172@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl> David Hearn
<david.hearn@newsgroup.nospam> wrote:
[color=blue]
>So, pay RRP from Microsoft for no media (burn it yourself I guess after
>waiting X hours to download) and a product key. Alternatively, walk
>into a local store, possibly pay less than RRP, and have it immediately
>with proper media and box.
>
>I can't see there being too much of an issue for retailers, except they
>may drop their price a little to be more competitive. For me,
>installing Vista isn't a spur of the moment decision. So waiting 1 day
>for delivery, or walking into a store, isn't an issue for me. It's not
>like wanting a new music album and deciding to buy an MP3 online rather
>than buying it in the shops - installing Vista is a big task compared to
>listening to music.[/color]

I'd go the other wa around, waiting X hours for a download to finish
isn't really a big deal. Driving across town to a store is a lot more
hassle.

--
If a job is worth doing, then get someone in to do it properly.

It *looks* to me like Microsoft has gone out of its way *not* to p*ss off
the retail chain. As best I can tell, purchases through Windows Marketplace
are done in partnership with retailers, even software downloads. I can only
assume that will remain true for the Vista downloads.



"DevilsPGD" <spam_narf_spam@crazyhat.net> wrote in message
news:s76vq2hd5bm4jhiv2051nqe11d9a287d92@4ax.com...[color=blue]
> In message <uICuL1uOHHA.4172@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl> David Hearn
> <david.hearn@newsgroup.nospam> wrote:
>[color=green]
>>So, pay RRP from Microsoft for no media (burn it yourself I guess after
>>waiting X hours to download) and a product key. Alternatively, walk
>>into a local store, possibly pay less than RRP, and have it immediately
>>with proper media and box.
>>
>>I can't see there being too much of an issue for retailers, except they
>>may drop their price a little to be more competitive. For me,
>>installing Vista isn't a spur of the moment decision. So waiting 1 day
>>for delivery, or walking into a store, isn't an issue for me. It's not
>>like wanting a new music album and deciding to buy an MP3 online rather
>>than buying it in the shops - installing Vista is a big task compared to
>>listening to music.[/color]
>
> I'd go the other wa around, waiting X hours for a download to finish
> isn't really a big deal. Driving across town to a store is a lot more
> hassle.
>
> --
> If a job is worth doing, then get someone in to do it properly.[/color]

Richard:
The Microsoft release is at
[url]http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2007/jan07/01-17ConsumerOptionsPR.mspx[/url].

"Family Discount Rewards Multiple-PC Households

To make it easier for households with multiple PCs to make the move to
Windows Vista, Microsoft is launching a limited-time offer for customers who
buy retail copies of Windows Vista Ultimate. From Jan. 30 through June 30,
the Windows Vista Family Discount will allow North American customers to
license two additional copies of Windows Vista Home Premium for use on other
PCs in the home at the reduced price of $49.99 each. Before completing the
order online, customers will need to enter one valid full or upgrade Windows
Vista Ultimate key from their retail boxed product. After eligibility is
verified online, the customer can purchase licenses to install Windows Vista
Home Premium on one or two additional Windows-based computers. The Windows
Vista Family Discount is available only in the U.S. and Canada. More
information is available at [url]http://www.windowsvista.com/FamilyOffer[/url] ."



--
Dennis Pack
XP x64, Vista Enterprise x64
Office2007
"Richard Urban" <richardurbanREMOVETHIS********.com> wrote in message
news:edOA5%23rOHHA.3944@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...[color=blue]
> It looks like it has been finalized.
>
> See here from CNET News:
> [url]http://news.com.com/Microsoft+tries+to+spread+Vista+far+and+wide/2100-1016_3-6150933.html?tag=nefd.top[/url]
>
> Buy boxed Vista Ultimate edition and get 2 copies of Vista HOME Premium
> for $50.00 per copy.
>
> I think that is something that most everyone can accept!
>
> --
>
>
> Regards,
>
> Richard Urban
> Microsoft MVP Windows Shell/User
> (For email, remove the obvious from my address)
>
> Quote from George Ankner:
> If you knew as much as you think you know,
> You would realize that you don't know what you thought you knew!
>
>
>[/color]

Good point.

-Michael

"Robert Blacher" <rblacher@community.nospam> wrote in message
news:298EE6AF-C319-47E5-86F0-578490E6D4E6@microsoft.com...[color=blue]
> It *looks* to me like Microsoft has gone out of its way *not* to p*ss off the retail chain.
> As best I can tell, purchases through Windows Marketplace are done in partnership with
> retailers, even software downloads. I can only assume that will remain true for the Vista
> downloads.
>
>
>
> "DevilsPGD" <spam_narf_spam@crazyhat.net> wrote in message
> news:s76vq2hd5bm4jhiv2051nqe11d9a287d92@4ax.com...[color=green]
>> In message <uICuL1uOHHA.4172@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl> David Hearn
>> <david.hearn@newsgroup.nospam> wrote:
>>[color=darkred]
>>>So, pay RRP from Microsoft for no media (burn it yourself I guess after
>>>waiting X hours to download) and a product key. Alternatively, walk
>>>into a local store, possibly pay less than RRP, and have it immediately
>>>with proper media and box.
>>>
>>>I can't see there being too much of an issue for retailers, except they
>>>may drop their price a little to be more competitive. For me,
>>>installing Vista isn't a spur of the moment decision. So waiting 1 day
>>>for delivery, or walking into a store, isn't an issue for me. It's not
>>>like wanting a new music album and deciding to buy an MP3 online rather
>>>than buying it in the shops - installing Vista is a big task compared to
>>>listening to music.[/color]
>>
>> I'd go the other wa around, waiting X hours for a download to finish
>> isn't really a big deal. Driving across town to a store is a lot more
>> hassle.
>>
>> --
>> If a job is worth doing, then get someone in to do it properly.[/color]
>[/color]

Alias spake thusly on 1/18/2007 4:34 AM:[color=blue]
> Michael Cecil wrote:[color=green]
>> On Thu, 18 Jan 2007 00:34:40 -0500, "Richard Urban"
>> <richardurbanREMOVETHIS********.com> wrote:
>>[color=darkred]
>>> Somehow I doubt if you would get away with that. Hell, they are
>>> throwing you a **** nice bone and you still want to cheat the company.
>>>
>>> I really feel sorry for people with low moral turpitude such as you
>>> possess.[/color]
>>
>> Thanks for insulting me.[/color]
>
> Dick can't help himself. If someone disagrees with him or rubs him the
> wrong way, his knee-jerk reaction is to be insulting.[/color]

Go Dick!


--
Scott [url]http://angrykeyboartder.com[/url]

A: Because it messes up the order in which people normally read text.
Q: Why is top-posting such a bad thing?

Michael Cecil spake thusly on 1/17/2007 10:24 PM:[color=blue]
> On Thu, 18 Jan 2007 00:15:56 -0500, "Richard Urban"
> <richardurbanREMOVETHIS********.com> wrote:
>[color=green]
>> It looks like it has been finalized.
>>
>> See here from CNET News:
>> [url]http://news.com.com/Microsoft+tries+to+spread+Vista+far+and+wide/2100-1016_3-6150933.html?tag=nefd.top[/url]
>>
>> Buy boxed Vista Ultimate edition and get 2 copies of Vista HOME Premium for
>> $50.00 per copy.
>>
>> I think that is something that most everyone can accept![/color]
>
> So just buy that, then return all but one of the Homes for a total of $50.
> Hmmm...[/color]

And good luck when it comes time to reinstall.
--
Scott [url]http://angrykeyboartder.com[/url]

A: Because it messes up the order in which people normally read text.
Q: Why is top-posting such a bad thing?

MICHAEL spake thusly on 1/17/2007 10:56 PM:[color=blue]
> I agree. But, I'm sure that can't make retailers very happy-
> which is why I thought they wouldn't be doing that. I had been
> under the impression there was an "understanding" between
> Microsoft and the major retailers about direct download[/color]

From
[url]http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2007/jan07/01-17ConsumerOptionsPR.mspx[/url]

Windows Marketplace Adds Windows Vista to Its Virtual Shelves

In another first, Microsoft will make Windows Vista and the 2007
Microsoft ® Office release available for direct download via Windows
Marketplace, the largest online destination for buying software that
runs on Windows. Starting Jan. 30 ***and working with retail
partners***, Windows Marketplace will offer the following upgrade
editions of Windows Vista and full versions of the 2007 Microsoft Office
release at suggested retail prices:

• Windows Vista Business

• Windows Vista Home Basic

• Windows Vista Home Premium

• Windows Vista Ultimate

• Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007

• Microsoft Office Professional 2007

• Microsoft Office Standard 2007


Windows Vista editions offered through Windows Marketplace are available
in English only, in either 32-bit or 64-bit versions. Windows
Marketplace visitors also can find a wide variety of Windows-compatible
hardware and software, including products carrying the Certified for
Windows Vista logo, which are tested to ensure superior reliability and
quality when running on Windows Vista.

Windows Marketplace makes it fast and easy to download large programs
such as Windows Vista through its digital locker technology. Digital
locker combines the immediacy of downloaded software with the security
features of owning physical media like a DVD — it uses innovative
security technology to store purchased software and license keys,
efficiently resumes downloads if they are interrupted, and manages the
overall installation process. More information can be found on Jan. 30
at [url]http://www.windowsmarketplace.com[/url] .




--
Scott [url]http://angrykeyboartder.com[/url]

A: Because it messes up the order in which people normally read text.
Q: Why is top-posting such a bad thing?

"MICHAEL" <u158627_emr@dslr.net> wrote in message news:ui9pzXwOHHA.324@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...[color=blue]
> Agreed. I know some will complain about this offer, and
> it is kind of silly that Microsoft requires a user to buy the
> Ultimate version in order to get two Home Premium versions
> at the discount. It would make more sense and probably be
> less confusing if the offer was 1 Ultimate and 2 discounted
> Ultimates, or 1 Home Premium and 2 discounted Premiums.
>
> However, I am glad Microsoft has finally shaken up its retail
> pricing... it's about time. Also, if you really think about, Microsoft
> probably upsets companies like Dell and HP. The easier and cheaper
> Microsoft makes it to upgrade, it could have an impact on those
> who had been thinking about just buying a new computer instead of
> just the new OS. Some consumers may put that decision for a new
> computer(s) off for awhile- that can't make Dell and HP very happy.[/color]
[color=blue]
> I can only wonder what additional "excitement" this will cause the
> newsgroup. Dad or mom goes out and buys three copies of Vista,
> and decides to upgrade all the computers the same day. Lawd have
> mercy on these Vista newsgroups. :-)[/color]

I guess that should really say; Dad or mom go out to buy Ultimate Vista
and then go online to buy 2 more discounted keys for Premium, and
then upgrade all the computers the same day.

All hands on deck after January 30th!


-Michael

DevilsPGD spake thusly on 1/18/2007 9:25 AM:[color=blue]
> In message <uICuL1uOHHA.4172@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl> David Hearn
> <david.hearn@newsgroup.nospam> wrote:
>[color=green]
>> So, pay RRP from Microsoft for no media (burn it yourself I guess after
>> waiting X hours to download) and a product key. Alternatively, walk
>> into a local store, possibly pay less than RRP, and have it immediately
>> with proper media and box.
>>
>> I can't see there being too much of an issue for retailers, except they
>> may drop their price a little to be more competitive. For me,
>> installing Vista isn't a spur of the moment decision. So waiting 1 day
>> for delivery, or walking into a store, isn't an issue for me. It's not
>> like wanting a new music album and deciding to buy an MP3 online rather
>> than buying it in the shops - installing Vista is a big task compared to
>> listening to music.[/color]
>
> I'd go the other wa around, waiting X hours for a download to finish
> isn't really a big deal. Driving across town to a store is a lot more
> hassle.[/color]

Me, I'm going for the Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate UPGRADE Limited
Numbered Signature Edition. The box isn't available for download. ;-)

[url]http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000M2WPIQ[/url]

--
Scott [url]http://angrykeyboartder.com[/url]

A: Because it messes up the order in which people normally read text.
Q: Why is top-posting such a bad thing?

MICHAEL spake thusly on 1/18/2007 6:38 AM:[color=blue]
>
> I can only wonder what additional "excitement" this will cause the
> newsgroup. Dad or mom goes out and buys three copies of Vista,
> and decides to upgrade all the computers the same day. Lawd have
> mercy on these Vista newsgroups. :-)[/color]

Heh. Then 98% of people here will be top-quoting, instead of the current
80%.
--
Scott [url]http://angrykeyboartder.com[/url]

A: Because it messes up the order in which people normally read text.
Q: Why is top-posting such a bad thing?

Lang Murphy spake thusly on 1/18/2007 12:32 AM:[color=blue]
> Richard,
>
> I have mixed feelings about this offer. Why not offer it as "buy Home
> Premium at full price and get two additional copies for $50 each."? Why
> force someone to buy Ultimate to get the offer? Maybe an extra $170 in
> the MS coffer? Why not offer Ultimate at full price and two additional
> licenses for $75 each? Bundling two different versions just seems a
> little odd to me. But that's just my POV. I'm not saying it's a rip-off
> or a bad deal... just smells a little funny to me...[/color]

Business user & head of household buys Ultimate (or Ultimate upgrade)
for his notebook and gets a copy of Premium (for $50.00 each) for his
Home PC and one for the PC in his daughters room.

Sounds good to me.

--
Scott [url]http://angrykeyboartder.com[/url]

A: Because it messes up the order in which people normally read text.
Q: Why is top-posting such a bad thing?

CJM spake thusly on 1/18/2007 4:02 AM:[color=blue]
> "Richard Urban" <richardurbanREMOVETHIS********.com> wrote in message
> news:edOA5%23rOHHA.3944@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...[color=green]
>> It looks like it has been finalized.
>>
>> See here from CNET News:
>> [url]http://news.com.com/Microsoft+tries+to+spread+Vista+far+and+wide/2100-1016_3-6150933.html?tag=nefd.top[/url]
>>
>> Buy boxed Vista Ultimate edition and get 2 copies of Vista HOME Premium
>> for $50.00 per copy.
>>
>> I think that is something that most everyone can accept!
>>[/color]
>
> Hardly. It saves you $180 on the RRP for retail versions of the three
> products. But who pays RRP?[/color]

Is "RRP" anything like MSRP? Assuming it is then....
[color=blue]
>More importantly, who buys retail?[/color]

Most anybody who upgrades will buy retail. I'm one of those people.
[color=blue]
> As a minimum, most people will be opting for an upgrade, which means[/color]
this family pack is[color=blue]
> more expensive.[/color]

Why? I'm going for it. I'm buying the retail version of Vista Ultimate
Upgrade ($249.00) and then getting an extra license for Home Premium for
$50.00.

I think you need to read
[url]http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2007/jan07/01-17ConsumerOptionsPR.mspx[/url]

So in essence I'm paying for two copies of Home Premium Upgrade and
getting a "free" upgrade from Home Premium to Ultimate on one of them.

And were I buying two Home Premium licenses the deal would be even
sweeter. :-)
[color=blue]
>
> Many others will opt for OEM copies since they are unlikely to want to move
> the OS from machine to machine, so this deal is even more expensive.[/color]

Most people have no clue what an "OEM" c0py is and if the retailer is
selling it legally the person would also have to be buying qualifying
hardware.




--
Scott [url]http://angrykeyboartder.com[/url]

A: Because it messes up the order in which people normally read text.
Q: Why is top-posting such a bad thing?

Scott wrote:
[color=blue]
>
> Most people have no clue what an "OEM" c0py is and if the retailer is
> selling it legally the person would also have to be buying qualifying
> hardware.[/color]

Not so in Europe. See [url]http://www.bluesolutions.co.uk/[/url] which is where I
buy my software. They sell software only, no hardware is available.

--
Paul-B