Um, so how do you register to become a Windows 8 (Widows Store) developer?

I've been reading a lot of documentation on which countries the Windows Store will be available in and how much it costs to register - what I'm not seeing is a way to actually register....?!

Anyone care to share the link - even the dev center forums is pretty sparse, with some hints that you can't yet, yet others saying they're already reserving app names etc.

I've got Windows 8 and Visual Studio 11 up and running, working on an app and I'd like to reserve the app name if possible. Is there a sign up or a connect 'pre-register' section anywhere?

Thanks guys...

I haven't done it, but this looks like the correct place to start.

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/apps/

Then click Dashboard

Anyone from the UK tried this, I just get

"This account is registered in a country/region that the Windows Store does not support. You'll need to start over with a different Windows Live ID."

There's a menu option for it in the "Store" menu in Visual Studio 11.

If you're not in the US, Japan, France or Germany, however, don't bother: you won't be able to yet. There's will be a bunch of countries where developers will be able to register when W8 comes out, but for now, it's just those four. It sucks. Hard.

Ah, silly me - I had launched vs11, but hadn't yet tried to create a metro project. It of course asks you to login or sign up for a dev account when you first create a metro app. I should have tried that at the start

So, apparently my elation is short lived - you need a registration code to actually register for a dev account right now. https://appdev.microsoft.com/StorePortals/en-US/Account/signup/start

"If you have a registration code:

•               You can click Register now to register for your Windows Store developer account.            
•               The Windows Store is currently closed to general submissions. If you don't have a registration code, you'll be able to sign up when the Windows Store opens for general submissions."

Anyone on the inside got any secrets as to how to get a registration code prior to general opening? Is there a connect program or special for MSDN subscribers for it somewhere? All I really want to do at this stage is reserve an app name, but I can't without a proper dev account...

Maybe I should just have some more patience!