Guess I got it all wrong!  In my post on November 1, 2009 entitled “So much for product loyalty” I reported that Microsoft wasn’t releasing the Family Pack version in Australia and I complained about their short-sighted view.

As you all know Microsoft released it in the United States, Canada and in Europe leaving us here in Australia  “out on a limb” so to speak. Well the Family Pack version sold out pretty quick in the United States and Canada with many complaints from thwarted customers who missed out.

Here in Australia, several weeks ago, the Family Pack became available and all the regular retail stores stocked it. It is freely available at $247 give or take where you go to buy it. A curious thing is that the Australian packaging is different. It is green instead of the orange colour of the American version. (See Picture)

United States Version - Orange Australian Version - Green

I like to think my earlier complaint was helpful in us out here getting access to the Family Pack but more likely Microsoft’s strategy was to blitz the bigger markets first and then move on to the smaller ones, namely Australia.

I was keen to get a copy and thinking we’d never see it here bought a copy from Amazon and had it sent to a friend in the United States. The cost converted from United States dollars was significantly below the current price in Australia.

I had to use this method to get it as Amazon are really difficult about computer software and refuse to send this to you if you live outside of United States  and Canada. They’re happy sell everything else but computer software is a big NO, NO!

So I am happy with my imported copy and I installed it on my three computers – a desktop, a laptop and now a new Netbook which initially had XP on it. The installation for the Netbook was trouble-free.  All three computers are sweetly talking to each other using Windows HomeGroup. This feature makes communication across two or more computers a real breeze. Perhaps HomeGroup is one on the best features of Windows 7 given the hassles you used to have setting up a network with Windows XP.