Photos: Vista Launch NYC

The "Bad Vista" contingent was visible, handing out Linux disks, as Vista launch attendees waited in the freezing cold to enter the Nokia Theatre in Times Square for the launch event.

Overheard while waiting in the launch line: "You have questions about Vista's DRM?" Passerby: "No, I was just wondering where you got those yellow suits."

Microsoft turned the Nokia Theatre into a pre-launch party, with music, drinks and food for the 1,000+ attendees who were invited to the January 29 event.

Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates took to the launch stage, as did CEO Steve Ballmer, and addressed the New York Vista launch crowd.

On January 30, the first day Vista went on sale, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer visited the Best Buy store on Fifth Avenue to help launch the product. I couldn't get anywhere near Ballmer, but he's in the midst of the crowd (consisting of more TV crews members and reporters than customers) somewhere.

Another shot of the Tuesday January 30 morning vist by Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer to the Fifth Avenue New York Best Buy.

I might not have been able to get anywhere near Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer at the Best Buy launch event, but MVP Bob Stein of ActiveWin.com managed to get a quick word with Ballmer.

Across town at the Union Square New York Circuit City store, things were a lot quieter on Vista's first sale day. Some customers were asking questions about Vista, but no one was queuing up to buy. Even though Vista missed the holiday buying season, Circuit City seemingly decided that it was still appropriate to use the "It's Holiday Time" display for Vista desktops.

There was a lot of Vista and Office 2007 on display at Circuit City on the first day that the two products were available to retail customers. But right before lunch, there weren't many folks checking out the freebies and discounts that the store was offering to incent folks to buy.