With the long-awaited Windows Vista becoming broadly available next week, we've landed a unique opportunity for readers. On Thursday, our columnist, Brier Dudley, will host a live Q&A with Jim Allchin, the longtime top Windows executive at Microsoft.

Allchin, who is retiring from Microsoft on Jan. 31, will answer your questions about Vista, its development and what it means for Microsoft. His live online appearance will be from 9 to 10 a.m. Thursday.

Meanwhile, you can ask questions ahead of time at this link.