Microsoft is learning from adoption-led marketing
Microsoft figures out that happy users become happy customers
Follow @SavioRodriguesNews that Windows 7 preorders are selling like hotcakes in the United States, Japan, and now the United Kingdom begs the question, why?
The limited time-only discounts on preorders surely helped. But with Amazon U.K. reporting that they've sold more copies of Windows 7 in the first 8 hours of sales than in the entire 17-week Vista preorder period, during which discounts were also available, this cannot be the only reason.
[ Also on InfoWorld: Microsoft will lead in security when pigs fly. Windows 7 RTM is Vista's sweet revenge. A short video tour of Windows 7's top 20 features. ]
It could be, as mashable reports, that positive reviews from the press are helping Windows 7 sell much better than Windows Vista. But in today's open source world, virtually no PC user would preorder Windows 7 based on press views alone. Users today expect to try the software before deciding to part with their money.
Whomever at Microsoft decided to open up the Windows 7 beta and release candidate testing program to anyone wishing to try out the new OS deserves kudos.
By opening up the testing program, Microsoft has increased the number of testers and chances of finding edge case bugs. Successful open source projects highlight the benefits of a large set of users whose use uncovers bugs that formal testing did not or could not find.
I know of several people who have used Windows 7 as their primary operating system for over 2 months. All six of them are quite impressed with the quality of release candidate and have preordered Windows 7.
