When Microsoft does something funky -- like CEO Steve Ballmer's infamous Monkey Dance -- the press can't get enough of it. Yet when the folks in Redmond act inspired, the publicity is apparently somewhat sparser. That sure seems to be the case surrounding Windows 7. My early tests of the operating system, which will succeed Vista in about a year, indicate that it's a solid, high-performing, great-looking platform. So why aren't we hearing more about it?

True, my complaint is highly subjective. If you ask Microsoft, they'd say they are beating the hustings for Windows 7. (Microsoft has an Engineering Windows 7 blog, though it hasn't been updated in half a month. The Windows Team blog and Welcome to WIndows 7 are even sparser.) However, if you think back to Vista, it's clear that Microsoft is taking a much quieter (viral, perhaps?) approach toward its OS proselytizing efforts. (Once burned, twice shy?)

I suspect part of Microsoft's reticence has to do with the fact that they haven't yet set a firm launch date for Windows 7. So, without a target at the end of the runway, it's hard for the software behemoth's public-relations corps to stage the roll out.

I further suspect that the reason Microsoft hasn't picked a drop date has little to do with the technological readiness of Windows 7. (In point of fact, the pre-beta of Windows 7 is more solid than the initial release of Vista, as well it should be since it builds on the experience of the latter.) Rather, Windows 7's release is likely dependent on the economy. Microsoft isn't going to launch what might be its best OS ever in the midst of a PC-upgrade-killing recession. I'm betting that the Redmond brain trust is hoping things will ease up in time for next December's Christmas shopping season, where Windows 7 could spark the kind of computer buying spree Microsoft dreamed of for Vista.

Still, there is hope for Windows 7 fans. The official beta of the OS is expected in January. (My tests were on the pre-beta, which was released at Microsoft's Professional Developers Conference in October.) I expect that there will be a renewed round of buzz once the beta hits. Meanwhile, let's go to the nonvideotape for a look at my gallery of 43 Windows 7 screenshots:

First install of the pre-beta build of Windows 7. (Click picture to enlarge, and to see 43 Windows 7 screen shots.)

Windows 7 lets you snap your windows to the left and right, to ease screen management and to compare docs. (Click picture to enlarge, and to see 43 Windows 7 screen shots.)

Looking forward to Windows 7? Let me know, by leaving a comment below or e-mailing me directly at alex@alexwolfe.net.

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Alex Wolfe is editor-in-chief of InformationWeek.com.