Windows Developers Race To Finish Microsoft Poised To Ship Final Version Of New Software

So much has been made of the Aug. 24 release of Windows 95 that most people are probably overlooking a key fact: By that time, the worldwide “launch” of Microsoft’s new operating system will seem anticlimactic.

In fact, this weekend could be viewed as the most important weekend ever in the development of the operating system, touted as the most significant new software in the history of the industry.

Developers are working feverishly to ship the “gold code” - the final version of the software - to computer makers, which will then load it on the machines they ship to stores and consumers. Some rumors say the company will ship the code by Monday. Microsoft would not confirm the date.

One source, who asked not to be identified, said her company on Tuesday received its third “release candidate” - a version of the software that Microsoft might use as its master version if testing goes well.

“It looks 95 to 99 percent ready …” the woman said. “We’re really close to the final.”

While workers slave behind the scenes, retail stores and even the nationwide QVC television shopping network will feature the software and take advance orders from customers beginning Saturday.

There’s little doubt that the casual observer, by the beginning of next week, might be under the impression that Windows 95 already has been released.

QVC will air a two-hour Windows 95 special Saturday featuring the new operating system and new versions of Office and Encarta designed to run with it.

Viewers can then call in orders for the software, which will be delivered beginning Aug. 24.

Also beginning Saturday, several retail stores will begin taking orders under a “Coming Soon” program orchestrated by Microsoft. Best Buy, CompUSA, Computer City, Egghead Software, Office Depot, Sam’s, Staples and Wal-Mart are participating in the program, designed to build momentum toward the arbitrary launch date.

Microsoft reportedly has gone to some lengths to ensure that retailers and computer makers won’t begin selling the program early, so that it can take advantage of the Aug. 24 date for marketing purposes.

Microsoft has scheduled a large event - rumored to be a carnivallike production somewhere in the Seattle area - to announce the arrival of the software.

Windows 95 is expected to sell about 40 million copies within a year.

It will be priced at $209 for new users and $109 for people upgrading from old versions of Windows, although copies probably will be available for less than $200 and $100 in some stores.

Wednesday, Compaq Computer Corp. moved to clarify a wire-service story from Tuesday that reported the computer maker might be late with some machines that have Windows 95 installed.

Compaq expects to deliver Windows 95 computers Aug. 24, spokeswoman Nora Hahn said, but some stores might initially have a mix of machines with the new and old versions of Windows because the old ones hadn’t sold out.

In addition, Hahn said, some corporate customers have said they want the old version of Windows, version 3.1, because they’re phasing in Windows 95 gradually to allow for staff training or to save money.