Although we are still months away from the initial release of Windows Vista, Microsoft is hard at work planning to hype up their next-generation OS. Bill Gates has reportedly told the Vista marketing team that he wants a repeat of the Windows 95 launch, with people lining up at stores ready to purchase the OS on the first day.
Speaking at the Intel Developer Forum, a senior product manager with Microsoft laid out the anticipated adoption goals for Vista. The marketing folks hope to have over 400 million computers running Vista within 2 years of its release, and having over half of those running one of the top-tier versions of Vista. (Ultimate etc.)
Microsoft also plans to have a massive marketing event touted as a "dry run for the Vista launch" just before E3 this May, so the press can see in more detail the scope and specific tactics that will be used to push Vista last on in the year.