In 2009, Microsoft Still Underestimates the WebS   Case in
point: Today's epic failure around the distribution of the
Windows 7 public beta download. This morning Microsoft's web
servers fell to their knees under the pressure of constant web
page refreshes by enthusiasts who want to volunteer their time
to test Windows 7 after Steve Ballmer's announcement the
download would be available at noon today. (Since noon today,
the download was there, then pulled, and back up again only if
you know the direct links, and the promised product keys still
aren't available. There's "no ETA" when they will be.)  Is it
fantastic that Microsoft is offering this freebie preview? Yes.
Is it shameful that they'd be so woefully unprepared for the
demand it would draw? That also would be a YES.  Sure, hosting a
multi-gigabyte download on the web is an enormously expensive
undertaking, but Microsoft has more money than God. Plus, while
the download itself is large, it's only of interest to a
relatively small portion of the populat