Windows 9 release Date?

i remember windows 2

Microsoft DOES have beta testers, millions of them, they are called "customers".

Apparently we have a different idea of what "beta testing" is all about. I always thought it was supposed to be a small controlled group representing a cross section of the target market *before*  general release. I don't really know how representative Best Buy and Office Depot customers are of the whole but I'd hazard a guess that they paint an accurate picture.  So if MS is using customers to do their beta testing and it sure seems that way, what they've done is unleashed an OS that is the cause of a significant number of 8.1 machines, especially touch screen models, to be returned. So who gets hurt? The first hit goes to the OEM installers; Lenovo, Toshiba...you name it, when they have to take back a machine. They're really kind of screwed since there isn't an alternative OS that will work on something like a Yoga 2.  No skin off MS's teeth, they've already been paid and won't likely refund  anything to the OEMs.  MS will get theirs in the long run as more PC types swallow their prejudice and buy Ipads. One of my friends is about the most computer challenged person on the planet but he gets around on his Ipad with aplomb. The Linux and Ubuntu folks appear to be ever closer to making their OS work on the Yoga. I'm waiting with bated breath. So yeah, tell me just how well MS's customer beta testing program is working for them.

Microsoft DOES have beta testers, millions of them, they are called "customers".