Earlier today, we released the highly worked on, stress-tested, dog-fooded, Beta 2 bits of Windows Vista and Windows Server "Longhorn". This is a huge milestone for Microsoft. So many groups within the Windows group worked hard dog hours to get out this milestone of our next generation O/S. I am not a veteran at Microsoft, heck - just a one year newbie. From talking to so many colleagues and friends, this release is probably the most stress-tested and quality proven product build ever. That says something about our take on these next gen operating systems - "Quality  = the first critical feature, Quality  = Job #1". We are driving the "Q" word beyond just a concept - it is the way of life inside Microsoft. Our Core Operating System Division - COSD, Sr. Vice President, Brian Valentine calls out, "pushing Quality upstream".

Getting a quality proven product takes determination, vision and core apetite to deliver whatever it takes to that vision. At Microsoft, we live by these goals - pre-baked into our minds - even before someone writes a line of code.  One other product being released along with Vista and "Longhorn" is Office 2007 Beta 2. 

We are thrilled to get these out to the consumers so you can play with them, take them for a spin and tell us how you feel and what you think needs to be improved.  We are all ears to suggesstions at every level inside Microsoft. So, visit our Vista site and download the latest Beta 2 bits (you will need to have an MSDN or TechNet subscription).

ciao
Nagi