Neowin's Tom Warren notes that Microsoft could be revving up its servers right now to deliver a test version of Windows 7 before Christmas -- even if that was the plan, I wonder if the winter weather that's keeping much of Seattle and Redmond at home put a wrench in the works. (Officially, the company is open today, although the Connector shuttle service is not, and employees are told to use their best judgment about coming in, a spokeswoman said via e-mail.)

Mary Jo Foley reported yesterday on rumors that Microsoft completed an internal sign-off on Windows 7 Beta a week ago, and that some testers were expecting a pre-Christmas release, at least to a select group.

Warren also points out that "[i]t's entirely possible that once the page is live it will simply be a sign up page to register your interest." That's what Windows expert Ed Bott thinks.

Microsoft's official schedule is a public beta in early 2009 en route to public availability of Windows 7 no later than January 2010. CEO Steve Ballmer takes center stage at the Consumer Electronics Show Jan. 7, and many are expecting a consumer-focused unveiling of the new operating system.

Hat-tip to TechFlash on this story.