Preview Program XPeriences Snags
UPDATED Windows XP public preview program participants are up in arms over delays and an apparent communication blackout with Redmond. A series of recent slip-ups by Microsoft's download partner Conxion has tainted the experience of these customers before they have even gotten their hands on the software giant's greatly hyped new operating system. All customers were expected to have received an e-mail detailing the download process by July 7. However, the date has past and many customers have been left in the dark.
Over 50,000 users who applied for the program opted for the download option, leaving Conxion with the immense task of addressing
their concerns and waves of discontent. To make matters worse, an initial server configuration error granted unlimited access to the official download site, allowing software pirates to download the product well before paying customers were notified of the release.
In response, a Conxion representative told BetaNews, "Some exploiters were able to illegally gain entry to the download web site for a very brief period. Some were able to download the 500MB file, but they were not able to obtain the product activation key that would activate their software."
Summing up the frustration felt by paid participants, XP enthusiast Richard Dion told BetaNews, "I signed up to be able to download Windows XP RC1/RC2 and received my confirmation order e-mail on May 13, 2001. I'm part of the unwashed masses still waiting for that magic e-mail letter to go and download it." Richard and other testers have also received a deaf ear from Conxion's support alias, [email protected].
A Microsoft spokesperson addressed these concerns, telling BetaNews, "With over 50K customers who have selected the download
option, Conxion has been providing these e-mails in smaller waves, rather than all at once." The spokesperson seemed unfazed by the glitches facing customers, citing the great product demand for Windows XP.
The second release candidate of Windows XP is expected by the end of the
month, which is around the same time that customers who elected to receive their copy of RC1 on CD will have their orders fulfilled.
To join the Windows XP Preview Program, visit microsoft.com/windowsxp/preview/.
Despite reports to the contrary, users who signed up to download the preview will only be charged when Conxion's Digital Delivery Manager product certifies a complete download.