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Twitter Hoopla Over Windows 7

July 29th, 2009 by Erin Posted in Technology, Twitter | 1 Comment »

This is more of a clarification than a rant.

Lately I’ve noticed a lot of hatred being spewed on Twitter about Microsoft. Even before its tanked Q2 2009 earnings were revealed –  negative tweets were swirling about everything, from Bing to Windows 7.

Windows especially.

Put it this way. People are not very excited about MS Windows 7.

Case in point.

Read what some anonymous Twitter followers have said recently about Windows 7:

Microsoft recommends XP users buy a new computer to get Windows 7 over upgrading. http://is.gd/1Is6H You’ve got to be kidding me!

Microsoft Corp says Windows 7 will be generally available to ppl around the world on October 22. this DOESNT mean ppl will want to buy it

Reuters: MSFT says Windows 7 will be generally available to customers on October 22. (RT @BreakingNews) “generally available” – what the hell does that mean?

The first tweet is just plain funny – and so incredibly Microsoft’s style.

But my issue is with the second and third tweets – more specifically the term “generally available”.

On the outside it looks like a shady use of words to cover an unknown release date. But in truth, “generally available” means products are being shipped out to the general public.

From my trusty source, Wikipedia:

General availability (GA) is the point where all necessary commercialization activities have been completed and the software has been made available to the general market either via the web or physical media.

Commercialization activities could include but are not limited to the availability of media world wide via dispersed distribution centers, marketing collateral is completed and available in as many languages as deemed necessary for the target market, etc. The time between RTM and GA can be from a week to months in some cases before a generally available release can be declared because of the time needed to complete all commercialization activities required by GA.

So there you have it.

Generally available is a legit term even if it is coming from Microsoft.

Windows 7 will be made available to everyone on October 22.

I know you and the rest of the world will be waiting on bated breath.

 Tags: microsoft and twitter, ms windows 7, Twitter, windows 7 generally available