Windows on New York

Tomorrow, Microsoft will give the real Windows Vista kick-off--much splashier than November's business launch--in New York City. The forecast is minus 1 degrees Celsius, with gusty winds. Brrrr.

Windows 95 launched on a bright, sunny day (overshadowed by the threat of rain the previous day). While the air temperature will be colder for Vista, the mood will be warmer than it was with Windows XP. Microsoft had the unfortunate timing of launching XP little more than a month after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Microsoft kept the planned New York venue but held a fairly subdued launch event, for obvious reasons.

I'll be in New York tomorrow for the afternoon events. In the morning, Mike Sievert, Microsoft's corporate vice president for Windows Client Marketing, will officiate the first U.S. Vista event, to be held in New York's meat packing district. Even before the launch begins, folks in Asia and the South Pacific will have had the chance to purchase Windows Vista. For example, Australia, which is on Daylights Savings Time until late March, is 16 hours ahead of New York. The software is officially available from 12:01 on Jan. 30.

At noon, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer and other Microsoft executives will meet with industry partners for a lunch launch. About 4 hours later, Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates will officiate launch ceremonies in Times Square. As I said before, brrrr. The following day, Ballmer will visit the Fifth Avenue Best Buy for yet another, ah, touching Windows Vista launch moment.

The New York venue, for tomorrow's event and November's Vista launch for businesses, is clearly deliberate. Microsoft's stock has languished for years. The company wants to capitalize on recent gains and assure investors and Wall Street that Office and Windows will be moneymakers for a long time. Combined, the product families account for about 80 percent of Microsoft's income.

Microsoft won't be the only Vista celebrator tomorrow. CompUSA stores will have live demos and prizes, starting at 10 a.m.

Additionally, CompUSA has an offer in which if consumers bring in their Windows XP PCs by 3 p.m. tomorrow, the PCs will be ready, with Office 2007 and/or Vista installed, at 12:01 am on Jan. 30. Considering all the potential installation problems, like missing device drivers, it's a pretty good offer at 20 bucks a copy of Office or Windows. CompUSA also offers support, 30 days for $30, for either Office 2007 or Windows Vista.

For people who don't have that "Wow moment" with Office 2007 or Windows Vista, CompUSA offers an unconditional refund: "We guarantee you'll enjoy your Windows Vista experience or we'll reinstall your original operating system and refund your purchase."

Yes, but will CompUSA techs reinstall the zillion or so updates and leave out the junkware in the process? Also, a word to consumers taking the refund: Make sure CompUSA used your Windows XP CD or your software might fail product validation; then you'll be branded a software pirate.

I'm sure other retailers plan their own specials and promotions. Unfortunately, in the Washington area, we don't have Fry's Electronics or some of the other computer chains for me to check out. As for CompUSA, someone at the corporate office has done some smart planning.