For Microsoft, "Launch" Doesn't Mean "Release"

Earlier this week, Microsoft COO Kevin Turner announced SQL Server 2008, Windows Server 2008 and Visual Studio 2008 would all be launched on February 27, 2008. "It's the biggest single launch we've got in Microsoft on one day," he said to loud cheers. Not so fast.I thought the SQL Server release was a little early, considering Microsoft has yet to release a full beta of the product. And it turns out I was right -- maybe I should have blogged about it and been proven prescient. Microsoft TechNet Presenter Michael J. Murphy blogs that though the launch is scheduled for February 27, SQL Server 2008 won't be released until the second quarter.

So what exactly then does "launch" mean for Microsoft? If it means "party," then I'm down, but when I think "launch," I think "release." Does this mean Visual Studio 2008 and Windows Server 2008 also won't be released on that day? I've posed these questions to Microsoft's PR reps and am awaiting an update.