Microsoft Windows 7 - best steer clear

I have just received the following email from Microsoft

"Thank you very much for your help in testing the Windows 7 Beta. Your feedback is invaluable in helping make Windows 7 a high quality operating system. With your help, we have reached the next major milestone on the journey to Windows 7: the Release Candidate (RC).

"Today (April 30) the RC is available to MSDN subscribers and TechNet Plus subscribers.

"On Tuesday, May 5 (PST), the RC will be available to everyone via our Customer Preview Program. As with the Beta, the Windows 7 RC Customer Preview Program is a broad public program that offers the RC free to anyone who wants to download it. It will be available at least through June 30, 2009, with no limits on the number of downloads or product keys available.

"So you don’t need rush to make sure you get your copy. When you’re ready to download the RC, it’ll be waiting for you.

"IMPORTANT: If you are running Windows 7 Beta you’ll need to back up your data (preferably on an external device) and then do a clean install of the Windows 7 Release Candidate. After installing Windows 7, you will need to reinstall applications and restore your files. If you need help with the installation process, please see the Installation Instructions.

"If you’re running Windows Vista, you can install Window 7 RC without having to back up and reinstall your programs and data. But to be on the safe side, please do backup your data before you start.

"Please note: All users of the Windows 7 Release Candidate (including Windows Vista users who have upgraded to the Release Candidate) must do a clean installation of Windows 7 RTM. Please keep this is mind as you consider downloading the Release Candidate as opposed to waiting for the general availability release.

"Thanks again for your help in reaching this important milestone. We hope that you will join us in testing the RC and finishing Windows 7!"

Thanks, but no thanks. Actually I failed to download their trial version of Windows 7, and was not well pleased after having wasted a lot of time going through the registration process. When I saw that the system would drop dead after a few months I decided that it wasn't worth the bother. Of course one should back up one's data but it really is a pain to have to reinstall all the applications.

Don't let them steal your time!
Don't let greedy Microsoft steal your time. People are being put to all this trouble because the company is desperate to protect its monopoly through enforcement of "intellectual property rights".

The overwhelming majority of computer users can obtain a safe, secure and powerful operating system, and all the applications they are likely to need, by installing a Linux distribution. There are many to choose from. The applications can be installed in one go together with the operating system, from the start, either from the distribution DVD or from the internet.

Microsoft is working to an outdated business model which trades on the public's ignorance.