While some people still think Windows 7 could be a big ol' flop (hello, Randall C. Kennedy), Microsoft is doing everything it can to make sure launch day is a smashing great success. In the UK, that has meant moving ahead shipments of preorders so customers receive their copies before a possible postal service interruption occurs. As it turns out, Royal Mail workers have pegged October 22nd as the start date for a 48-hour strike. Microsoft told The Register "[We are] aware of the planned postal strike and has taken action to minimise impact on those customers who pre-ordered their copies of Windows 7. As a result, some customers may receive their copy of Windows 7 a day or two early."
A nice side effect? Enthusiasm.
Nothing gets people worked up about a preorder item like receiving it a few days early. Even if that wasn't an intended result, getting the OS to a few customers in advance of launch day is sure to add to the Windows 7 buzz.