Thanks to Joe Bloggs for sending this one in!
Microsoft are setting up another beta community - called the "windows pre-release community". It appears to be setup for those involved in "development or deployment planning" for microsofts programs; unfortunatly its on a invitation only basis; gee and i thought i was in with a chance.
"Dear xxxxxx,
We recently introduced an exciting new program that we want to tell you about and invite you join. The new program is called the Windows Pre-release Community (WPC). The WPC is an extension of the Windows Technical Beta programs to a broader group of industry professionals, but is much smaller and more focused than the much broader “preview programs.”
The Windows Pre-release Community (WPC) consists of an invited group of computer industry professionals interested in prerelease versions of Windows for development or deployment planning. The WPC program provides Internet access to beta and interim releases of versions of Windows that are currently under development, access to private newsgroups for support and technical discussions, and other technical resources. WPC membership requires an invitation from Microsoft, typically as part of attending a conference or other Microsoft sponsored event, such as the VS.NET product launch, Tech-Ed, or WinHEC. Over time, WPC members will also include key corporate enterprise customers and others doing advanced development and deployment.
Cont Below
Microsoft are setting up another beta community - called the "windows pre-release community". It appears to be setup for those involved in "development or deployment planning" for microsofts programs; unfortunatly its on a invitation only basis; gee and i thought i was in with a chance.
"Dear xxxxxx,
We recently introduced an exciting new program that we want to tell you about and invite you join. The new program is called the Windows Pre-release Community (WPC). The WPC is an extension of the Windows Technical Beta programs to a broader group of industry professionals, but is much smaller and more focused than the much broader “preview programs.”
The Windows Pre-release Community (WPC) consists of an invited group of computer industry professionals interested in prerelease versions of Windows for development or deployment planning. The WPC program provides Internet access to beta and interim releases of versions of Windows that are currently under development, access to private newsgroups for support and technical discussions, and other technical resources. WPC membership requires an invitation from Microsoft, typically as part of attending a conference or other Microsoft sponsored event, such as the VS.NET product launch, Tech-Ed, or WinHEC. Over time, WPC members will also include key corporate enterprise customers and others doing advanced development and deployment.
Cont Below
The WPC and the Technical Beta both use the web site http://windowsbeta.microsoft.com as our primary information and build distribution service. Technical Support will be primarily peer-to-peer via a new set of private newsgroups that were created specifically for the WPC program. That’s were you come in. As a valuable and highly appreciated member of our beta and online communities, you will have the rare opportunity to be in both programs simultaneously. (If you are not currently in an active Windows technical beta program, you should be receiving invitations shortly). As experts in the online community you have the opportunity to join this new community and transfer knowledge and expertise about the prerelease (beta) versions of Windows to other WPC members. Your volunteer participation would be greatly valued in helping us establish a community of support peers, and will allow you to get early experience with new versions of Windows prior to broader release.
The primary difference between the technical beta group and the WPC members is that the technical beta is focused primarily on feedback to Microsoft about product issues and quality, while the WPC is focused on enabling the industry professionals to be prepared for a new Windows prior to release.
As one of our best testers and community support volunteers, you will be given: Early access to upcoming Windows beta software via membership in the technical beta program Priority tracking of your bug reports Potential for additional materials and products at the conclusion of each major release.
Please register ASAP using your unique WPC member number ID below at http://windowsbeta.microsoft.com/login/login.asp.
Registering your WPCID will not affect your technical beta privileges. Again, if you are not currently on the technical beta, you should receive your invitation shortly. The WPC IDs (and corresponding invitations) are time limited and expire on August 9, 2002. As long as you register at the web site prior to expiration, your ID will be permanently activated. More information on the program is available at the web site.
Lots of love,
microsoft
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