Share via

PDC Attendees and new Whidbey bits

  • Article

A number of people are asking whether PDC attendees will get new updates of Whidbey bits.  The simple answer is yes - when we make new versions of Whidbey available either in beta form or the interim builds that Ari Bixhorn was recently quoted on, we will make sure PDC attendees get the updates too (or have the option of getting them).  In the long run we want to make our beta processes more obvious and predictable, e.g. “Once you are in the program, you stay in the program until RTM” or something reasonable like that.  As I just posted in response to another blog, some of people's concern comes from the fact that the beta programs in the past have been neither transparent nor predictable.  We will fix that.  There is a small catch with the PDC that we are working through, in particular our commitment to not spamming attendees with all kinds of cool stuff.  (In my mind, since we handed out Whidbey bits there this wouldn't be spam - but then I assume all spammers have strong rationale why their spam is ok.  If anyone thinks it's not ok to send updates to attendees, I'd love to hear about it since right now this is a no-brainer for me.)  I'm sure we will work this out though and that PDC attendees will be included in the Whidbey beta program moving forward.

Comments

  • Anonymous
    February 10, 2004
    Good thing but don't forget MSDN subscribers. They are also valuable developers :-)
  • Anonymous
    February 10, 2004
    Because Whidbey offers so many features above and beyond that of its predecessors, I personally don't think that it would bother those PDC attendees (such as myself) to receive the bits, as well as any supporting literature surrounding it. Now, let's clarify "spam" a little bit though, just to clear up any misconceptions Microsoft has about it. IMHO, spam would include those rather useless mailings about third-party product offerings that either includes a bunch of marketing "fluff" or some demo CD that has no true value. Microsoft has been guilty in the past as well with widely distributing marketing materials that are often met with deaf ears because (1)There's no "meat" behind the distribution (e.g. usable evaluation software); (2)Too much "coming soon" verbiage, and not enough "it's here now".

    If Microsoft marketing would take more of a "real world" case study-like format with some of the materials it distributes, then I think it'd provide more tangible artifacts that folks would consume and generate interest around.

  • Anonymous
    February 10, 2004
    Thank you! If the Spam police give you any grief about it, I'll set 'em straight. :)
  • Anonymous
    February 10, 2004
    Don't worry, we're not forgetting MSDN subscribers :-) I'm not sure about the exact mechanism but my understanding is that MSDN Universal subscribers have a way to get the PDC version of Whidbey today. I lump them into the "people who've gotten it and should get it again" bucket.

    I know that MSDN/U doesn't cover all MSDN subscribers. We don't have a clear answer for that problem yet. We want our beta programs to match the ultimate retail packaging, i.e. it shouldn't cost a ton to participate in the beta of a $99 product, whereas it's more reasonable to view MSDN as reasonable beta vehicle for the higher-end versions. Stay tuned here.

    Blog etiquette question - should I be posting this as a new blog entry or as a comment?
  • Anonymous
    February 10, 2004
    I'd say post it as a blog entry. I'm sure there are more folks interested in what the strategy will be in distributing the bits. However, be careful though, you could potentially take away from thunder of upcoming Microsoft events (like Dev Days)
  • Anonymous
    February 11, 2004
    Just out of curiosity, would you know either a) when the the PDC top 20 sessions dvds and office refresh should arrive b) who to contact about not recieving them?