From : Sent : Monday, July 18, 2005 8:02 PM To : * Subject : You Are Invited to Join In the Pre-Release Testing of Windows, code-named "Longhorn" NID:fa4aac52-b1b4-4c7d-aa99-a7623aaa4661 Dear Microsoft Beta Tester, We are pleased to offer you an early preview of Windows, Code-Name "Longhorn," by extending this invitation to join the Longhorn beta program. Your participation is completely voluntary. Longhorn Beta Program participants will preview software for the next generation of Windows as well as Internet Explorer 7 for Windows XP and Windows Server 2003. If you choose to participate you will have the opportunity to provide Microsoft with feedback as we continue work on these exciting new releases. What is Windows Code-Name "Longhorn"? The next version of Windows, Code-Name "Longhorn," promises to be the most secure and intuitive Windows release to date. It delivers on the promise of allowing people to use their computers more effectively and confidently to achieve their goals and pursue their passions. It offers new tools to help protect the integrity of your system and your information, easier ways to find, visualize and organize your information, and provides better integration across applications, devices and systems. Longhorn will provide advancements in the following key areas: · A strong focus on the fundamentals of the operating system, including advancements in reliability, performance, deployment, and ease of use. · Major improvements to help PC users to work smarter and provide exciting new experiences for home users. · The next-generation developer platform to make it easier for developers to create breakthrough applications. What you can expect if you choose to participate: You will be notified by email this summer when the software becomes available to test. The beta software will be available via download. If you elect to receive mailed releases, only major milestone releases (Beta1, Beta 2, etc) will be sent to you. Participants can expect access to Windows, Windows Server, the Windows Driver Kit the Platform Software Development Kit as well as Internet Explorer 7 for Windows XP and Windows Server 2003. We may make other software available as well, and it's important to note that some of the above software may not be available immediately after the program gets underway. If you choose to participate, we ask that you install the software once it is received. At a minimum we ask that you provide us feedback about your experience by reporting bugs that you encounter. We have other activities planned such as private discussion groups, online chats and chances for you to help the Windows development team test some of the new Longhorn features. More details on these will follow if you choose to join the beta. If you are currently a tester on BetaPlace or WindowsBeta, make sure to log into Microsoft Connect with the same Passport credentials (email address and password) that you use there. Once you enter your Invitation ID and reach the My Participation page, the link to the Longhorn content will be near the top of the page. Please do not select Decline Participation unless you have decided you really don't want to participate. Please note: there are no downloads or product keys available at this time. You will be contacted regarding the availability of these items when they become available. To accept this invitation and become a member of this program, please follow these steps: 1) Use your Internet connection to visit our Web site at http://connect.microsoft.com. 2) Click on "Invitations" on the left-side menu. 3) You will need to sign in using a valid Passport and register with Microsoft Connect before you can continue to the "Invitations" page. If you have already registered with Microsoft Connect, you can simply sign in. 4) Enter your Invitation ID in the blank. Your invitation ID is: ***-****-**** It's important to note the above ID needs to be typed exactly as shown. If you receive an error please be sure to check that when you enter the invitation ID you do not include any extra spaces at the end. The easiest way to avoid this is the type the ID, and not use cut & paste. We are working to resolve this problem but until then the invitation ID needs to be entered with no 'trailing space'. 5) Click "Go." Now, please follow the steps shown to you by that program to become an active participant. (You may be asked to take a survey, or complete other activities.) To report a problem or to ask a question, please visit the "Contact Us" page (linked to at the bottom of every page). Thank-you for your participation, and we look forward to hearing from you! Sincerely, The Windows Product Team