The Windows Vista beta program is finished and the product has been released to manufacturing, so you can’t go out and download it anymore (at least not from Microsoft). But you can still test drive Vista–as well as Microsoft’s other OS, Office and server products–at TechNet Virtual Labs.

From the site: “Quickly evaluate and test Microsoft’s newest server products through a series of guided, hands-on labs which can be completed in 90 minutes or less.” And it’s completely FREE.

Right now, there are 10 modules available in the Vista virtual lab. When you sign up for one, you get a downloadable manual and a 90-minute block of time. Of course, you can just play around in the virtual machine if you want. Have fun!
[tags]Windows Vista, beta, instruction, virtual lab, Ask the Geek[/tags]