Pre-order Windows 7 for "cheap"

I've been reading a fair bit about the next version of Microsoft Windows, and it sounds like it's the same sort of "step up" from Vista that XP was from 98 or ME. New functionality, improved performance and a very open and transparent beta-testing process have really piqued my interest in the new OS. The press for Windows 7 has been pretty overwhelmingly positive, and there's currently a promotion to pre-order the upgrade version for a discounted price.

In Canada, that comes to a discounted price of $65 for the Home Premium edition, and $125 for Professional. That's basically 50% off the regular selling price of the software, and the promotion runs until July 11, or while quantities last.

I've foregone Vista entirely, and currently dual-boot a Windows XP/Ubuntu system, and $65 to upgrade from XP seems like a good deal, especially considering Microsoft isn't known for cutting its prices.

Here in Canada, you can pre-order Windows 7 through Amazon, Staples, Future Shop or Best Buy. I've placed my order for Home Premium, and I'm looking forward to installing it when it comes out in October.

You can read more details on the offer, as well as some background on Windows 7 over at Gizmodo.

"Frugal" and "fun" activity: clean up your computer system

As part of a general aim to get more organized (technically one of my 2008 goals), I decided last week that I should clean up my home computer system. I've been running a dual-boot system (Windows 2000 and Ubuntu) for a number of years, and as always seems to happen, the computer has become rather cluttered. I always keep my computer relatively spyware- and virus-free, but there's inevitably some junk that builds up over time.

Well, enough is finally enough, so on Monday afternoon, I logged into Windows and started the process of formatting the hard drive and reinstalling the operating system. I have an old copy of Windows 2000 Professional, and there is no limit to the number of times I can reinstall this, so out of somewhat sentimental reasons, I still want to keep this OS alive. In addition, I wanted to reinstall my copy of Windows XP, which hasn't been used since the computer on which it was installed kicked the bucket a year ago. Finally, the plan is to add Ubuntu 7.10 to the mix, for a triple-boot system.

I hit a few snags in the installation process, but after a day or so of tinkering, I have Windows 2000 and XP peacefully coexisting. Tonight I'll add Ubuntu to the computer, and start the process of sharing my Firefox and Thunderbird profiles between the three operating system. I also want to take a stab at running Windows seamlessly in my Ubuntu session using virtualization software.

Personally, despite the frustration and hundred or so reboots, I find this sort of spring cleaning a lot of fun. Ms. Loonie shakes her head as I stare at my blue screen of life, but I love the idea of having a well-organized, freshly installed and up-to-date computer system. There's also the matter of actually using my copy of XP, which has been collecting dust for over a year.

When you combine breathing new life into my existing computer, with getting benefit out of an OS I've paid for, while continuing to use a free OS, and I think this counts as a pretty frugal activity.

I simply prefer not to think of the dollar value that I've spent during the installation process.