If you want Windows 7 for $29.99,

[Are_grits_groceries]

check out this site.

http://www.win741.com/

If you're a U.S. college student, or at least having a working .edu email address, you don't have to pay $120 to upgrade Vista to Windows 7. You can get the Home Premium upgrade for just $30. Updates: See below.

Our blog sibling Gizmodo just noticed a Microsoft promotion at Win741.com, offering U.S. students Windows 7 Home Premium for just $30. That's a good deal better than the $120 retail price for an upgrade, and, as with the Ultimate Steal Office offering, Microsoft and cohorts aren't exactly going to ring up your alma mater's provost to ensure you're still enrolled there when you hand over your .edu mail address.

An alumni member address ends in .edu.

Hit the "Buy" link in the middle-left box on the viral-marke-tastic 741 site to sign for the $30 offering, a deal that's valid until Jan. 3.

http://lifehacker.com/5361566/get-windows-7-home-premium-for-30-with-a-college-email-address

[Buzz Clik]

1. Perhaps if you simply dropped your computer in the bathtub.

The misery would be over much faster.

[wtmusic]

17. .

:rofl:

[thunder rising]

2. Microsoft too cheap to pay for the ads? This "astro-turf" ad is not welcome

[Are_grits_groceries]

4. No.

I thought if some people wanted a Windows7 upgrade and wanted to save money, this might help.

It's not an ad. It is FYI.

[Sherman A1]

6. Posting this is a very nice gesture on your part

and I don't see it as an ad at all, simply an effort to help some folks save some $$$$'s. I am a Mac user, but I think your effort deserves some :applause:

[Are_grits_groceries]

7. Thanks.

I was just trying to help people that might need it or want it. Nobody has to use it if the click on the OP.

[Buzz Clik]

26. +1

[Toasterlad]

53. +2

Some people appear gratitudinally challenged.

I just bought my laptop a month ago, with the understanding that I'd be getting a free Windows 7 upgrage. Just sent for it this morning. I believe that anyone who bought a Dell since Jun is eligible: you can find out on their website.

[Statistical]

11. I pointed this student deal out a couple weeks ago and got the same flack.

Most people would be happy to know then can get an OS at 80%-90% off.

For some people their anti-Microsoft bias sees everything as a scam, astroturf, ad, or BS. I just ignore them.

[MajorChode]

48. There are some people who appreciate it

Thanks to both of you

[Ruby the Liberal]

65. I posted your links on my school bulletin board

We have to use Windows for video compatibility with their proprietary system.

I got many, many thanks in return - so am passing those onto you. :toast:

[Statistical]

83. Glad to here it. That was a perfect place to pass the word. Hopefully teachers use the deal too.

[L0oniX]

3. Another 4 year debugging session. pffft

[msongs]

5. lol the fanbois don't like your OP - no probs of ANY kind here using VISTA. bathtub indeed nt

[frylock]

20. 3 systems at home running vista..

4 more running XP. fuck the haters.

[krawhitham]

79. +1

[Buzz Clik]

27. Fanbois? Moi?

Hardly. I'm running XP and have been very pleased. I have not said "If only my operating system ...". Ever.

One thing I do say: "XP works great. Why would I upgrade?"

[Statistical]

28. XP is less secure and "trusts" drivers too much.

Win7 provides some significant security and driver changes.

IF a poorly written video card driver crashes in XP it WILL take the OS down. XP allows video drivers to hook directly into the kernel.

Win7 driver model takes a "hands off the kernel approach". Nothing can directly hook into kernel and the OS can stop and restart drivers (even video card drivers) if/when they misbehave.

XP also isn't very "smart" when it comes to newer tech like SSD, multicore processors, and large (4GB+) amounts of ram.
They work but not optimally. Of course these don't apply to everyone.

[Buzz Clik]

33. Hm. I must confess to having a video card crash my system.

Ok. I've been schooled.

[Statistical]

35. Of course no system is perfect.

So I am sure Windows 7 will still crash sometimes. However it is a good step for Microsoft to move to a model where the OS protects itself at all times and trusts nothing (not even signed drivers or apps). XP also allows applications (like antivirus) to hook into kernel so an AV software can blue screen XP.

It is possible applications won't handle the "driver reboot".

Direct X libraries support a wait state so eventually even game developers should be able to handle driver crash grcefully. In an optimal situation the game pauses while driver reloads. If driver keeps crashing game notifies you of the incompatibility and terminates gracefully and asks you if you would like to notify the hardware vendor and game developer.

We aren't there yet but that is the potential. For most people they likely will buy a new computer in next 2-3 years so there is no pressing NEED to upgrade to Windows 7. There next computer will come with Windows 7.

[OneTenthofOnePercent]

34. This was HUGE for me when I was installing my 1GB 4870HD card.

I ran into a few issues here and there and the OS never once crashed and I was able to make driver corrections on the fly.

[formercia]

8. The $30 service pack for Vista

The upgrade only works with Vista. People who bought Vista should get it for free.

[Are_grits_groceries]

10. It is a clean install if you have XP.

You just have to use a program that will tell you if your computer will work with it. It also will tell you what you need to do to make it compatible.

[Statistical]

12. Not true.

For XP you need to do a clean install however the upgrade edition will work.

Of course the point is moot because this is for the full version of Windows 7 anyways.
Students can even opt to chose the more expensive Professional edition ($249 retail) for the same $29.99.

[Are_grits_groceries]

15. Thanks.

It is a clean install. I wasn't paying attention.

[marew]

16. Absolutely!

Vista has been such a pain.

[Kansas Wyatt]

73. Congress needs to haul Bill Gates in again...

And rake his ass over the coals about why he hasn't upgraded Vista for free, due to Vista's problems.

[UncleTomsEvilBrother]

9. Thanks....

...for the info. I qualify.

[DontTreadOnMe]

14. Attention you Windows haters!

Windows runs fine on my Mac. No problems whatsoever.. don't let the irony pass you by.

[wtmusic]

18. OSX runs fine on my Mac

Don't need Windows, don't want it.

[eShirl]

19. why are you in this thread?

[frylock]

21. to fling poo

[wtmusic]

22. I am always amazed that anyone still runs Windows.

I'm a programmer and it is an inferior product. Period.

[Statistical]

25. .NET inferior?

lol. Try telling that to majority of Fortune 1000 companies.

As a developer I love it. Frees up so much time doing mundane junk. No dealing more dealing with pointer bugs, and hard to track down memory leaks. Of course you can still use pointers by the "unsafe" syntax but I find no need. The common language runtime does an excellent job of handling the plumbing for me.

Also C# is the most elegant language to write in.

Just one example:

try
{
//something
}
catch
{
//errors here
}

Separating error handling from main code execution makes it so neat and organized.

[wtmusic]

29. C# is very "elegent", lol

You just discovered TRY CATCH did you? It's been in C++ since 1983, and available on the Mac since about then too.

[Statistical]

31. c# implementation is far superior.

It is part of the language spec.

Exception handling was "bolted on top" of C++ and it shows.

Not all compilers support it, and they support it to varying degrees". Inheritance of exceptions is tricky at best. Also you have no real assurance when using different compilers that they will do what you think they will do in complies situations. Of course that doesn't even address the human failing rate of C++ pointers. Virtually all memory leaks are a result of human failing.

Managed code is the future both from security standpoint, but also from a stability and resource management standpoint.
Exception handling is part of C# language spec and is an ECMA standard.

Lastly having C# application running as managed code on top of runtime provides additional levels of security. Automated exception handling tools are becoming common. Our company uses them. Since even the app crashing doesn't crash the runtime the runtime can pass exceptions to tool which passes it back to developer so we can see in near realtime where exceptions are occurring, what code, and develop fixes faster.

Managed code is a major improvement to software development.

[wtmusic]

41. The future of software from a security and stability standpoint

from a Windows supporter - I thought I'd seen it all.

:wow:

[Statistical]

43. .net can be used on multiple OS via mono project.

http://mono-project.com/Main_Page

Also since C# is an international standard there is nothing preventing you (or anyone) from writing compilers, IDE, and other development tools for any environment.

In my area not having .net skills reduces my work opportunities. I am not going to limit my potential advancement and compensation over some quasi-religious hatred of Microsoft.

Looking over jobs listings looks like I should add some sharepoint development experience to my resume as sharepoint development opertunities (and compensation) has exploded in last year or so. Then again for me it is a job not a religion.

[wtmusic]

45. The quasi-religious support of MS was all yours

I'm still on the subject of Windows.

[hunter]

47. I dunno. The majority of Fortune 1000 companies are inferior products too...

I wouldn't call C# "the most elegant language to write in" but it is an improvement on C and C++ which are ancient by the measure of computer language evolution. C isn't even an ordinary mammal in the world of modern computer languages, it's more like a platypus, and if the analogy holds, C++ is a marsupial.

I will point out that Google would have been an utter failure if it had been built from the ground up on Microsoft boxes and an Oracle database.

[eShirl]

32. It was a rhetorical question.

[frylock]

49. i'm a gamer..

ever try to run rFactor on a 'nix box?

[wtmusic]

51. Re: games I stand corrected. nt

[Name removed]

61. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[DontTreadOnMe]

63. very simple.. let me spell it out.

I need to run Mac and Windows... so I bought a Mac. It runs both. I rarely use Windows, but it runs fine on a Mac.

I find it very short sighted to buy a Sony, Dell or an HP computer, that can't run OS X.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

69. Why not a dual boot system with Windows and Linux

Not clear that Apple buys you more than that combination

[slutticus]

59. I'm probably going to install Windows 7 on my macbook

Can't wait actually.....i've had XP for a looooooooooong time.

[kenny blankenship]

46. Your Mac is a PC. Don't let that irony pass you by.

[comtec]

13. good to know

thanks

[tammywammy]

23. Question

I bought a Dell a couple of months ago and I paid to have XP on it. I have a disk with Vista, but in order to move to Windows 7, do I have to install Vista AND THEN Windows 7 or can I skip Vista all together?

[OneTenthofOnePercent]

30. From what I understand, it can setup as a clean install or as a Vista upgrade.

FWIW, even if I had vista I would still clean that POS OS off my hard drive and do a clean install.
Backup, wipe drive, install OS, install applications.
I wouldn't even keep the old Vista disk in the same room as the newly installed OS.

[zippy890]

38. why do people hate Vista so much? I've had it on my new PC since

last April and haven't had any problems

just wonderin, I hear all the flack about Vista and wonder why.

[Statistical]

42. Vista at launch was aweful. Vista w/ SP2 is pretty good however. the perception remains.

Yhe problem is a self-fulfilling cycle.

Vista problems -> less purchases for Vista -> well resources by ISV and hardware vendors to fix issues w/ Vista drivers & applicaiton compatibility -> Vista problems ....

Since Vista makes a minority of systems even years after launch (unlike XP which quickly displaced both NT and 9x) companies have less compelling need to make things work with Vista.

No easy way to break that cycle which is why OS should launch much better than Vista did. Had Vista launched working like Vista SP2 does now things would be much different.

[tammywammy]

39. Yeah, I paid extra to keep XP on the new lappy

I qualify for the student discount for Win 7, plus we get MS discounts through work as well.

I have Vista on one of my work computers, the other is still XP. I know on one program the IT guys were hoping to be able to skip Vista altogether, but unfortunately it'll have to go through the fine-tooth comb and that can take another 6 months to a year before they'll get approval to start putting Win 7 on computers. So there's gonna be a crappy upgrade for some to Vista.

[KatyMan]

54. With an OS, no matter the flavor,

it's always a good idea to do a fresh install instead of an upgrade.

[tammywammy]

58. Thanks for the answer.

:)

[Sebastian Doyle]

56. You would have to back up your data and wipe your drive before installing W7

There is no way to do a direct upgrade from XP to W7. You could upgrade from XP to Vista and then to W7, but if your Vista disk is the original build, you would probably have to install both of the Vista Service Packs before you could upgrade to W7, and that's a lot of wasted time for an OS (Vista) that you don't plan on keeping, just to get to the one that you DO.

[SemiCharmedQuark]

24. Thanks so much for posting this!

Someone posted it awhile back, but I didn't bookmark it and I completely forgot about it.

[Greyhound]

36. By all means, pay the greatest criminal enterprise in technological history

a little more to "upgrade" the patently defective product, that you already paid a couple hundred dollars for, it'll help their economy. Never mind the billions they've already stolen, after all they're really big and they're an "American" company.

[Statistical]

37. Who paid a couple hundred bucks?

Microsoft reports 95% of their OS sales as part of new hardware and average cost to OEM is $50.

[Greyhound]

71. People that bought it pre-loaded paid $175 - $200 for it, and didn't even get an install disk.

As an added bonus, they now get to experience the joys of an OEM/M$ OS upgrade...:woohoo:

[Statistical]

77. No they didn't. Average volume OEM price for OS is $50.

Has been that way since XP. Do you honestly think a Dell computer selling for as low as $300 is $200 OS + $100 in actual hardware?

[Greyhound]

80. See, the thing is I worked for the largest computer "manufacturer" on the planet

and that is simply corporate doublespeak fed to the "professionals" to make these kinds of arguments. Every notebook sold had an additional $175 - $200 built in to the wholesale price, justified by the dubious benefit if the OS (and bloatware) installed by us.

[Statistical]

81. Sure..

So a Dell mini is really <$50 in hardware + $200 for the OS? Actually it would be more like $30 in profit, <$20 in hardware, and $200 for OS. :rofl:

BTW: I am trying to unload some bridges. Interested in buying a couple?

[Greyhound]

82. You're estimation and misinformation is irrelevant.

Pay as much as you want for as long as you want. Your systems will still be crippled, still work like shit, and still be vulnerable to anybody interested enough to bother with them.

Enjoy.
:hi:

[leanderj]

40. All the tech sites are hustling Win7 using the same hype for Vista

the wording is very similar... "It's a MUST UPDATE" - "THE BEST THING IN COMPUTING HISTORY" - etc

[Statistical]

44. Nope. Losts of negative press of Vista at launch.

[Sebastian Doyle]

57. Even Gates himself crashed Vista at the launch party.

And the world laughed.

Seriously, though, I would never call any Microsoft OS "perfect", but W7 is a Hell of a lot better than Vista.

Vista can now join Windows ME and "Bob" in the pile of Micro$oft's Greatest Failures.

[Jakey]

67. Oh Gawd, WinME...

You're on my ignore list just for reminding me (j/k)

[Greyhound]

72. Releasing defective products and keeping billions in profit is hardly a failure. n/t

[hunter]

50. If my kids want to make the jump, I'll give 'em the thirty bucks.

I live in Linux land and refuse to have anything to do with Microsoft unless someone is paying me, but I do accept the common realities of the outside world.

Your original post was a decent public service announcement.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

70. I too do mostly Linux, but some apps refuse anything but windows

[ohheckyeah]

52. I wish I could get the student rate but thanks for posting

this.

[Statistical]

55. Psst... if you don't mind bending the truth anyone with an .edu email address can use this deal.

Microsoft simply sends a single user link to your *.edu email address.

So teachers, or employees of schools could use this deal.

Of course it would require you to "accidentally" take advantage of this this student only deal as a non student. :)

[Name removed]

60. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[City of Mills]

66. +1

I understand that some have had bad experiences with Microsoft's software, but taking the time to bash a product you have no experience with is ignorant. As someone who has been using it for several weeks, Windows 7 IMO is a good product.

[MajorChode]

62. There was also a link for the student version of Office for $29

I noticed the link when I was downloading Windows 7. My son's computer already has an older version of Office and he said he's happy with it, so I don't see much point in upgrading that.

[Are_grits_groceries]

64. Link to a step by step installation of W7.

http://lifehacker.com/5385127/prep-your-pc-for-windows-7

Lifehacker is generally a good site for info anyway. Check it out.

[KeepItReal]

68. Sony says my Vaio running Vista Biz isn't qualified for Win 7. Next laptop will be a Mac.

Hey Apple,

Can you make. 10" screen MacBook?

[MellowDem]

74. So, you don't have to suck Bill Gate's you know what?

That bastard lied!

[JanMichael]

75. I hate Windows 7. It sucks for document heavy work (with heavy amounts of old files).

Seriously. IT SUCKS! It takes me twice as long to open files, navigate to saved file folders, and anything else.

Also the cartoonish icons suck butt.

[eShirl]

78. Maybe linux would be better for you.

I think Open Office has a linux version.

disclaimer: I am running Windows 7 RC and not experiencing any problems

[Odin2005]

76. I got Win7 with my new computer and it works great

Screw the Apple fanboys.