Microsoft Employees Begin Hosting Windows 7 Launch Parties

Thousands of Microsoft employees have begun hosting Windows 7 Launch Parties this week. I had the pleasure of attending one last night. Microsoft employees have been given the opportunity to do “preview” Launch Parties before October 22nd to show off Windows 7 to their friends and family (public Windows 7 Launch Parties officially kick off on October 22nd).

The Launch Party I attended last night was hosted by Dana Manciagli, a General Manager on Microsoft’s US OEM Team. Her Launch Party took place at The Parlor in Bellevue and she had her friend and fellow Microsoft employee (Cedric Dahl) demonstrate 7 key Windows 7 features such as many of the Windows Taskbar enhancements, Aero Shake and Aero Snap.

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The audience seemed to really like what they saw. One conversation I overheard was about how much better Windows 7’s window management is for applications. Another related to using Aero Snap to compare Excel spreadsheets.

After the demonstration, there was a trivia contest with questions relating to the Windows 7 demos. Guests who answered the questions right received some cool prizes.

Everyone who attended Dana’s Windows 7 Launch Party was asked to donate to the kids of Junior Achievement for Washington State. Dana creatively combined her Launch Party with Microsoft’s annual Giving Campaign. Matter a fact, Ina Fried from CNET posted about another effort to raise money for Microsoft’s Giving Campaign earlier today.

At the Launch Party, I got to finally meet Laura Foy from Channel 9. She has posted an awesome video from the event including several interviews. Watch the video here.

Overall, it was a fantastic event! I look forward to hearing more about people’s Windows 7 Launch Parties come October 22nd.

Tags: Microsoft, Launch, Channel 9, Windows 7, Windows Taskbar, Launch Party, Launch Parties, Aero Snap, Giving Campaign, Junior Achievement, Aero Shake

newscientist2000

595 Posts

Great Windows 7 launch party video, wish I could have gone :-).

I was going to only make a comment about the Windows 7 launch parties, but after reading about Microsofts Giving Campaign I feel inclined to state that it is a pitty that more companies dont have similar programs for their employees. That is a great employee benefit right there, and it helps give back to the community to boot.

Hopefully in the future governments can further incentivise this type of good work by creating financial incentives for companies to be good neighbours such as tax breaks or rebates for good works. It would be nice to see companies compete not only to produce better products, but also to make a better world.

October 09, 2009
7flavor

352 Posts

The posts got filled even b4 I knew about the promotion. There'll be similar offers I guess around and after launch.

October 10, 2009
Funababbitt

1 Posts

I am outraged to see these upgrade prices. After getting shafted on Windows Vista Ultimate, and in view of Microsoft's complete and unremitting NEGLIGENCE toward Ultimate 64 bit, I am now to be gouged for $219 dollars if I want to upgrade this nearly fraudulent and failed product? I am not prepared to reward Microsoft's ineptitude and failure compounded by its arrogance. Whereas I once respected the company. I have grown increasingly disillusioned and angry to the degree that I am resolute in my intention to boycott Microsoft products in future and make my next computer an Apple.I'll stick with Vista until it's time to replace my current computers and then say goodbye to everything Micosoft until the company has better management. Failing that, I'm gone for good. .

October 11, 2009

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