Harveys customers will secure first retail copies of Vista

By Sarah Falson

SYDNEY: Gerry Harvey will personally sell the first retail copy of Microsoft’s new computer software, Windows Vista, at Harvey Norman Alexandria, when the  product is officially released at midnight on 29 January.

To mark the occasion, the first copy of Vista sold has been signed by Gill Gates, and will be ‘rung up’ by both Harvey and Microsoft Australia managing director, Tracey Fellows, at 11:59pm, one minute before the product’s official Australian release on 30 January.

“Windows Vista is the most important release of Windows that Microsoft has ever delivered,” said Fellows.

"Australians are great technology adopters and we have been delighted with the strong support shown by the channel. We’re proud to be working with Harvey Norman to give Australians the opportunity to be among the first in the world to buy copies of Windows Vista at retail."

To accompany the event, the Harvey Norman Alexandria store will be holding a sale, with 10 per cent off computer hardware between 11pm 29 January and 1am 30 January.

In addition, from midnight the first 100 customers who purchase any version of Vista or Microsoft Office 2007 will receive a bonus Microsoft VX-1000 Webcam valued at RRP $59.95, with the first 50 of those customers also receiving a free C653 Kodak Digital Camera valued at RRP $199 RRP.

Various other Harvey Norman Computer stores in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne will also open their doors at 11pm on 29 January, and will begin selling Vista at midnight.

“We’re excited about the demand Windows Vista is generating at Harvey Norman, it’s fantastic,” said Harvey.

Retravision will also be rolling-out a special marketing campaign for the Vista launch.

"We will be going very aggressively with Windows Vista," said Retravision Vic-Tas group product manager — IT and communications, Mark Fitzgerald.

"We are very happy to be working alongside Microsoft for the launch."

Though Harvey Norman will sell the first retail Vista copy, Microsoft has already given out tens of fully-licensed, original copies of the software to technology reviewers in Australia, and Vista may also be bought via internet-download direct from Microsoft.