Microsoft has decided that Windows Vista is ready for the big time, meaning that the new operating system's latest beta has been released to everyone. You don't have to have MSDN or be a beta tester to get this release.  Now Mac, Linux, and Windows fans can all test out the new operating system and substantiate whatever claims, good or bad, that they may have!  For an excellent place to get started, check out our tour of the latest beta.

The public build, labeled 5384.4, sports the same build number as the technical release that was issued a few weeks ago. While Microsoft's servers are surely flooded with users eagerly waiting to get their hands on Vista, patient users can order the operating system on DVD. Besides being available in both 32-bit and 64-bit versions, this Vista release also comes in three languages: English, German, and Japanese.

Users wishing to download the 3GB beta have the option to use the Akamai Download Manager or their own download manager. The 32 and 64-bit ISOs can be downloaded from the Vista beta site.  If you do install and test out Vista, drop a line here and let everyone know what you think.