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I’m not one to usually brag about what betas I’ve gotten invited to (okay, maybe I brag a little), but today I opened my Inbox and was faced with this:

Here’s the text (edited out anything that would get me in trouble):

CONFIDENTIAL – PLEASE DO NOT FORWARD THIS EMAIL OR DISCLOSE ANY INFORMATION INCLUDED

Dear Microsoft Beta Tester,

The Windows Product Team recommended you as an ideal candidate for an exciting new Beta program, based on your participation as a Windows Code-Name “Longhorn” Beta tester. We value the feedback you have provided us in the past as trusted partners, and thank you for helping us make Microsoft Windows better for you and other customers. Now, you have the opportunity to continue to provide important feedback about the next generation of Microsoft products!

We are pleased to offer you an early preview of Windows Code-Name “Livephase,” by extending this invitation to join the Livephase beta program. Your participation is completely voluntary. Livephase Beta Program participants will preview software for the next generation of Windows as well as Internet Explorer 8 for Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008. If you choose to participate you will have the opportunity to provide Microsoft with feedback as we continue work on these exciting new releases.

What is Windows Code-Name “Livephase”?

The next version of Windows, Code-Name “Livephase,” promises to be the most secure and intuitive Windows release to date. It delivers on the promise of allowing people to use their computers more effectively and confidently to achieve their goals and pursue their passions. It offers new tools to help protect the integrity of your system and your information, easier ways to find, visualize and organize your information, and provides better integration across applications, devices and systems. Most of all Windows Code-Name “Livephase” will focus on mobility and the common issues that arise when accessing multiple computers.

Livephase will provide advancements in the following key areas:

· A strong focus on the fundamentals of the operating system, including advancements in performance, mobility, and ease of use.
· Major improvements to help PC users to work smarter and provide exciting new experiences for mobile users.
· The next-generation developer platform to make it easier for developers to create breakthrough applications.

What you can expect if you choose to participate:

You will be notified by email when the software becomes available to test. The beta software will be available via download. If you elect to receive mailed releases, only major milestone releases (Beta 1, Beta 2, etc) will be sent to you. Participants can expect access to Windows, the Windows Driver Kit the Platform Software Development Kit as well as Internet Explorer 8 for Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008. We may make other software available as well, and it’s important to note that some of the above software may not be available immediately after the program gets underway.

We are offering you this exclusive, early sneak preview of “Livephase” as part of an elite group of trusted Beta testers, because we believe that you will provide us valuable feedback, and will also respect the confidentiality of “Livephase” by not disclosing any details about this product.

If you would like to participate, please go to this URL to apply: http://connect.microsoft.com/InvitationUse.aspx?ProgramID=XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX. (If this link does not work for you, copy the full link and paste it into the Web browser address bar.) You will need to register on Microsoft Connect if you have not already done so, and we will ask you to agree to a Non Disclosure Agreement before we share more details about “Livephase.”

After you complete the Non Disclosure Agreement, we will contact you with more details about “Livephase” and the Beta. Please note that the Beta is open only to those who receive this official invitation from us – please do not forward or share this invitation with anyone else.

If you choose to participate, we ask that you install the software once it is received. At a minimum we ask that you provide us feedback about your experience by reporting bugs that you encounter. We have other activities planned such as private discussion groups, online chats and chances for you to help the Windows development team test some of the new Livephase features. More details on these will follow if you choose to join the beta.

Thank-you for your participation, and we look forward to hearing from you!

Sincerely,
The Windows Product Team

You’ve received this email because you participated in the Windows Code-Name Longhorn beta program. If you would like to be removed from the “Livephase” beta please send an email to XXXXXXXXXX@microsoft.com with the words Opt-Out in the Subject line. We value your privacy. Please read the Privacy Statement for complete information.

Do you think this could be the codename of the Windows 7 Beta?! I mean, it talks about “mobility” and we know that Bill Gates is interested in that! It also made mention to my work as a Longhorn Beta Tester! This is so exciting!! I filled out the NDA and the only thing I get is a “Thank You” page saying that more information will be coming shortly and a picture of the logo:

It’s pretty much the same as the Vista logo, but exciting nevertheless!! I wonder how many other people got this invite! Awesome awesome news!!

EDIT (April 2nd) – Gotcha!  April Fools!!

These are my daily “Good to Know” links for 03/27/08… please enjoy:

How to Survive in New York on 99 Cents | New York Times

When I heard that the food you can buy at 99-cent stores is more diverse than you might imagine, I decided to conduct an experiment. I?d make dinner every night for a week using mostly ingredients bought at these stores and then, on the eighth night ?

How Many Escalators Are There In Wyoming? | Wonkette

Have you ever wondered how many escalators there are, total, in Wyoming? “Scott” certainly does, and so he e-mailed the governor of Wyoming to ask him directly. Responding to this e-mail was ever-so-slightly beneath the governor of Wyoming’s job duties,

X-Files 2 Trailer Leaks to the Web | Google Video

The X-Files 2 Trailer has leaked to the web… see it here!

Lower Back Tattoos Now Available at Toys R Us | Cockeyed

Great news to all you kids out there, and just in time for spring break! No longer will you have to hitchhike out to a sketchy part of town to get your lower back tattoo… they are at Toys R Us!

22-Year-Old Awarded $300 Million Contract To Arm Afghan Forces | The Huffington Post

Since 2006 the American military has relied on a fledgling company, led by a 22-year-old man whose vice president was a licensed masseur, to arm Afghan forces. Since then, the company has provided ammunition that is more than 40 years old and in decompos

Apple forbids Windows users from installing Safari for Windows | The Register

Apple’s Safari license says that users are permitted to install the browser on no more than “a single Apple-labeled computer at a time.” This means that if you install Safari for Windows on a Windows PC, you’re violating the license.

Musical Japanese road | Make

Here’s a road in Japan with grooves cut to different widths to create a melody as a car drives over them. Only in Japan…

Come back for more links tomorrow!!

I mentioned before that Windows Vista SP1 went RTM, well Microsoft has now released it for download:

Windows Vista SP1

From the site (good info):

Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1) is an update to Windows Vista that addresses feedback from our customers. In addition to previously released updates, SP1 will contain changes focused on addressing specific reliability, performance, and compatibility issues; supporting new types of hardware; and adding support for several emerging standards. SP1 also will continue to make it easier for IT administrators to deploy and manage Windows Vista. Windows Vista Service Pack 1 Five Language Standalone version can be installed on systems with any of the following language versions: English (US), French, German, Japanese, or Spanish (Traditional).

Read the overview of Windows Vista SP1, including what’s new, technical details, guidelines and notable changes.

Read the Deployment Guide for Windows Vista SP1. This guide includes technical information, procedures, and recommendations for installing Windows Vista SP1 in a business or corporate environment.

Before installing SP1, please visit the Windows Vista TechCenter and read the page “Things to Know Before you Download Windows Vista SP1“

Enjoy!!

Get it while it’s hot, folks (this was just released today!):

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/ie/ie8/readiness/Install.htm

The beta comes in the following flavors:

Internet Explorer 8 Beta 1 for Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008

Internet Explorer 8 Beta 1 for Windows Vista x64 Edition and Windows Server 2008 x64 Edition

Internet Explorer 8 Beta 1 for Window XP SP2

Internet Explorer 8 Beta 1 for Windows Server 2003 SP2

Internet Explorer 8 Beta 1 for Windows Server 2003 SP2 x64 Edition and Windows XP SP2 Pro x64 Edition

Links are all currently active, so go have fun! For those wanting some info, here is a link to all the new goodies you get:

Internet Explorer 8 – New Features

EDIT – Installed (Windows XP SP3):

Updates soon!