Thushan Fernando Uncut

Microsoft has just released VisualStudio 2010 Beta 2 to MSDN Subscribers – aka Rosario.

I’m not sure why they’re going with the ULTIMATE moniker for Visual Studio, I still prefer the VS6 style Standard, Professional, Enterprise. Meh.

• Microsoft Visual Studio 2010 Ultimate with MSDN
  The comprehensive suite of application lifecycle management tools for software teams to ensure quality results from design to deployment.
• Microsoft Visual Studio 2010 Premium with MSDN
  A complete toolset for developers to deliver scalable, high quality applications.
• Microsoft Visual Studio 2010 Professional with MSDN
  The essential tool for professional development tasks to assist developers in implementing their ideas easily. (Note: Visual Studio 2010 Professional will also be available without MSDN subscription)

Some of the more exciting things that are coming with Visual Studio 2010 are documented on MSDN or a better one would be Vikas Goyal’s post and also his .NET 4.0 coverage.. Personally the Parallel extensions are the most exciting bits for me. The new Java 7 work is concentrating heavily on concurrency and its good to see both camps pushing the boundaries.

Thats right, the moment you’ve been patiently awaiting for has finally arrived. Windows 7 Beta and Windows Server 2008 R2 is now available on Microsoft Connect, MSDN, and on TechNet for subscribers and testers.

Microsoft has promised the first 2.5 million a copy of Windows 7 Beta for the general public, so keep an eye out.

Theres already an update KB961367 being released and included in the items you can download to fix a problem playing MP3s.

Windows 7 Beta (x86) – DVD (English) Includes: Beta;	01-07-2009	Details	Keys	Download
File Name: en_windows_7_beta_dvd_x86_x15-29073.iso Date Posted (UTC): 12/22/2008 2:41:15 PM SHA1: 6071184282B2156FF61CDC5260545C078CCA31EE ISO/CRC: AABA5A48 Available to Levels: MSDN OS (VL); VS Pro with MSDN Pro (VL); MSDN Empower; MSDN OS (Retail); Developer AA; VS Pro with MSDN Pro (Retail); MSDN Enterprise; MSDN Universal (Retail); VSTS Suite (VL); VSTS Architecture Edition (VL); VSTS Development Edition (VL); VSTS Test (VL); VS Pro with MSDN Premium (VL); MSDN Universal (VL); VSTS Database Edition (VL); VS Pro with MSDN Premium (Retail); VSTS Test (Retail); VSTS Development Edition (Retail); VSTS Architecture Edition (Retail); VSTS Suite (Retail); VSTS Database Edition (Retail); BizSpark Startup Administrator; BizSpark Startup Member; Instructions and Resources Update to Windows 7 Beta (KB961367) To protect your MP3 files 1. Before you install this Beta release, back up all MP3 files that might be accessed by the computer, including those on removable media or network shares. 2. Install the Beta release of Windows 7; download and install the Update to Windows 7 Beta (KB961367) located on this page.

And the 64bit build:

Windows 7 Beta (x64) – DVD (English) Includes: Beta;	01-07-2009	Details	Keys	Download
File Name: en_windows_7_beta_dvd_x64_x15-29074.iso Date Posted (UTC): 12/30/2008 4:26:48 PM SHA1: E09FDBC1CB3A92CF6CC872040FDAF65553AB62A5 ISO/CRC: 8E2FAD39 Available to Levels: MSDN OS (VL); VS Pro with MSDN Pro (VL); MSDN Empower; MSDN OS (Retail); Developer AA; VS Pro with MSDN Pro (Retail); MSDN Enterprise; MSDN Universal (Retail); VSTS Suite (VL); VSTS Architecture Edition (VL); VSTS Development Edition (VL); VSTS Test (VL); VS Pro with MSDN Premium (VL); MSDN Universal (VL); VSTS Database Edition (VL); VS Pro with MSDN Premium (Retail); VSTS Test (Retail); VSTS Development Edition (Retail); VSTS Architecture Edition (Retail); VSTS Suite (Retail); VSTS Database Edition (Retail); BizSpark Startup Administrator; BizSpark Startup Member; Instructions and Resources Update to Windows 7 Beta (KB961367) To protect your MP3 files 1. Before you install this Beta release, back up all MP3 files that might be accessed by the computer, including those on removable media or network shares. 2. Install the Beta release of Windows 7; download and install the Update to Windows 7 Beta (KB961367) located on this page.

From Celine Allee:

“After much anticipation, Microsoft has now made Windows 7 Beta available for evaluation and testing to IT professionals! For TechNet subscribers, you can download Windows 7 Beta today here. The beta is your chance to help us with feedback that targets the fundamentals—the ‘quality bar’ that we are setting for Windows 7 on security, reliability, and performance. If you are interested in getting even more involved, the Windows Feedback Program is your chance to directly influence future versions of the Windows operating system. This program is limited to the first 500 IT professionals to sign up, so don’t delay!”

Oooo yeah!