Not sure if this is the right place (couldn't find a forum feedback forum) but it would be nice to have a separate section for W7MC (Windows 7 Media Center). Now all posts go into the nearest match which is the VMC forum.

W7MC seems to differ more and more from VMC and has a lot to offer for us htpc junks. I bet after the official build 7000 release of W7, the number of forum posts about this will increase rapidly.

Admin can you give us a new section please?

The problem with this is 99% of people on here running windows 7 are running it via torrent's and not legally. Those in the beta won't be able to discuss unless it is private and validated somehow.

 

So what if 99% of the people are running from torrent downloads, it doesn't mean they are running a different product and giving false information.
I think it is better than ignoring it. People that download it via torrents aren't bound by NDAs and can discuss their experience fully without having to censor what they say.

I second the request for a separate forum.

Firedog didn't say it meant they are running a different program but they are obtaining and running by illegal means anyway you slice it. Microsoft owns these forums and you are asking them to give you an area to discuss their software which you have obtained illegally. my 2 cents.

PLUCKYHD, I understand what you are saying, why give people a place to discuss something that they obtained illegally. I understand, I really do, but I think that it would be better for MS and the community to be able to talk about their experiences. It would hopefully make for a better product in the end because you are hearing about more problems then you would in a closed beta.

I am hoping that MS is learning to listen to their user base. I can't find a reason that MS wouldn't want to get a beta version onto as many computers as possible, they just won't provide support to users that are not in the official beta. I mean they are giving away copies at the shows they are doing in January, they know that the copy will be on the torrent sites by lunchtime.

All in all, it would benefit MS to open up a forum specifically for Win7. This way they can listen to one section of their user base, who are not the casual teenager that wants to be the first kid on the block to have the new version. MS will gain a lot of knowledge by listening to their user base.

If you read a lot of the posts that people are talking about with Win7 you will see that you are getting better testing than some of the people will offer that sign up for the beta test.

So we'll just have to wait until W7SP1 to get the obvious fixes? (yes it's my first post - no I'm not someone who is no here already using a new one).

I think MS like any other large S/W Vendor (no pun intended) can appreciate that good constructive feedback and bug reporting is still good what ever the source.   However, I can wholly appreciate the legalities and commercial aspects of the situation.  Perhaps it would be possible to have a time-bombed build that is geared towards a W7MC to provide look and feel with most functionality. 

If you want to go a mentioned route of obtaining W7 no one can stop you.  Though isn't there a wasted opportunity here of perhaps providing an authorised means for the 1ppm of the final licensees to be able to assist MS in the process?

Just to add people could 'sign-up' for the beta.  Though there is no vetting or checking of capbilites - my Gran or Turing have the same chance of getting a beta.

So, now Windows 7 has entered public beta all concerns vented above are history. Can we have a Windows 7 Media Center Forum section now please?

There is.....right at the bottom of the page :)