Microsoft Pushing Out Beta on Windows Media Player 11

[Jason Dunn]

I went to MP3.com with a new install of Firefox, and I hadn't collected/reinstalled any of the media plugins for it. It's a bit irritating how often Firefox can't figure out what plugin it even needs, but that's another story. Thinking that I needed to reinstall Windows Media Player 10 to get WMV playback inside Firefox, I went to the WMP10 product download page (http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/mp10/default.aspx) and clicked on "Download Now". Much to my surprise, it took me to the download page for Windows Media Player 11 Beta. No WMP10 download link in sight - but only in Firefox. When I tried the page in IE, I could see the WMP10 download. Clicking on "See All Windows Media Player Downloads" takes me to an error page (http://www.microsoft.com/library/errorpages/smarterror.aspx?displang=en). I'm sure WMP10 is up there somewhere for Firefox users, but by making WMP11 Beta the default, Microsoft seems to be trying to get a widely deployed based of end-users using WMP11, and URGE as well (for the US-based among them). Myself, I haven't installed WMP11 Beta on any of my production machines - I don't want to risk de-stabilizing the machine. How many of you are using WMP 11 Beta?

[randalllewis]

Jason, don't be so timid. I've been using WMP11 a lot and it has not destabilized my computer. I know it may be somewhat less interesting to you because you can't access URGE yet but the program works very well. I like the new interface and the much more visual approach. I've got over 1200 songs in my library- both MP3 and WMA and at various bitrates and the sort features work instantly. And I like URGE too. I've bought a few tunes already and it was flawless. I missed the old menus at first, but not after longer use but it was nice to know I could bring them back if I wanted. Go for it.