Close
  • Latest News
  • Cybersecurity
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Mobile
  • Networking
  • Storage
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
Read Down
Sign in
Close
Welcome!Log into your account
Forgot your password?
Read Down
Password recovery
Recover your password
Close
Search
Menu
Search
  • Latest News
  • Cybersecurity
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Mobile
  • Networking
  • Storage
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
More
    Home Latest News

      Longhorn Out of the Microsoft Corral?

      By
      eWEEK EDITORS
      -
      October 21, 2002
      Share
      Facebook
      Twitter
      Linkedin

        Microsoft still has yet to deliver the second release candidate (RC2) of Windows .Net Server 2003, but that doesnt mean work on the version of Windows due in 2005, code-named Longhorn, has come to a standstill.

        Over the weekend, a couple of Windows enthusiast Web sites, led by Winbeta.org, posted a handful of screen shots of an alleged early version of Longhorn. The Winbeta site was down almost all day Monday, with a message claiming the site was “in maintenance.” But other Windows sites, including Binks Windows, ieXbeta.com and xBetas.com all were sporting alleged Longhorn screens, too.

        Several developer sources who said they had seen previous sneak peeks of Longhorn said the posted screens looked authentic.

        A Microsoft spokesman said on Monday that the company declined to comment on the authenticity of the screen shots.

        The posted screens show off the new, simplified Longhorn user interface, including the dockable task pane, which the screens label as “Sidebar.” Sidebar also can function as a movable task bar.

        Previously, members of the Windows community had speculated that this dockable pane was based on a Microsoft-Research-developed technology, code-named Sideshow. It still is not clear how and even if Sidebar and Sideshow are related.

        The newly posted screens also highlight Longhorns inclusion of Avalon, the .Net-based successor to the Win32 subsystem, as well as the Yukon file system, which the screens label as “WFS,” or Windows file system.

        Longhorn is still in the pre-alpha stage. Microsoft has not announced a beta-release target date. But the Redmond, Wash.-based software vendor has been demonstrating Longhorn for some of its major customers and closest third-party software developers under nondisclosure, say sources.

        One third-party developer, who requested anonymity, said the Longhorn shell, or user interface, is taking shape quite nicely. Microsoft is developing a Longhorn compositing video application-programming interface for apps written with .NET that is similar to Apples Quartz on Mac OS X, he says.

        With Longhorn—as the posted screens make clear—storage gets top billing. Microsoft has said that one of the companys primary goals with the Longhorn release is to make it easier for users to find files and data and other information, whether stored locally, remotely or out on the Internet.

        Page Two

        : Longhorn Out of the Microsoft Corral?”>

        “The biggest focus for the Longhorn shell is storage,” says the developer source. Storage efficiency and scalability are the Longhorn watchwords, he adds. “Think of how many photos you have for example on your computer right now. How many will you have in five years? Would the current model of management hold up or seem dated by then?”

        Other Longhorn features that sources who have seen recent demos say are under development include:

        • More system self-tuning, and not just in terms of the placement of tasks on menus based on how often a user selects a given option. Think of all menus becoming more like the Favorites option that would be applied to more than just Web pages;
        • Better multi-monitor support, including support for displaying the Windows Taskbar across multiple systems simultaneously;
        • More explicit error messages, especially around copying/moving files and handling documents and digital media, in general;
        • Easier application installation;
        • More stringent user permissions. In the same way a parent can control a childs account via MSN 8 Parental Controls, system administrators will be able to use the latest Passport and security controls to lock down users machines;
        • More self-healing and automation of daily operations. The ideal: Insulate average users from having to do any routine system maintenance tasks;
        • Better management of plug-ins and ActiveX components, beyond what is done in the system registry.

        Microsoft officials have offered few details about Longhorn. Group Vice President Jim Allchin, in a recent interview with eWEEK, said that Microsofts goal is to deliver Longhorn client and server versions simultaneously. Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates has said publicly that Microsoft expects to deliver Longhorn in 2005.

        Before then, Microsofts Windows team needs to ship Windows .Net Server 2003, which Microsoft is expected to launch in the first quarter of 2003. Some third-party development sources say Microsoft also is likely to deliver some kind of interim Windows release at least for desktop machines, before Longhorn hits the streets.

        Want the latest on Longhorn? Sign up today for your 14-day free trial of Microsoft Watch.

        Avatar
        eWEEK EDITORS

        MOST POPULAR ARTICLES

        Android

        Samsung Galaxy XCover Pro: Durability for Tough...

        Chris Preimesberger - December 5, 2020 0
        Have you ever dropped your phone, winced and felt the pain as it hit the sidewalk? Either the screen splintered like a windshield being...
        Read more
        Cloud

        Why Data Security Will Face Even Harsher...

        Chris Preimesberger - December 1, 2020 0
        Who would know more about details of the hacking process than an actual former career hacker? And who wants to understand all they can...
        Read more
        Cybersecurity

        How Veritas Is Shining a Light Into...

        eWEEK EDITORS - September 25, 2020 0
        Protecting data has always been one of the most important tasks in all of IT, yet as more companies become data companies at the...
        Read more
        Big Data and Analytics

        How NVIDIA A100 Station Brings Data Center...

        Zeus Kerravala - November 18, 2020 0
        There’s little debate that graphics processor unit manufacturer NVIDIA is the de facto standard when it comes to providing silicon to power machine learning...
        Read more
        Apple

        Why iPhone 12 Pro Makes Sense for...

        Wayne Rash - November 26, 2020 0
        If you’ve been watching the Apple commercials for the past three weeks, you already know what the company thinks will happen if you buy...
        Read more
        eWeek


        Contact Us | About | Sitemap

        Facebook
        Linkedin
        RSS
        Twitter
        Youtube

        Property of TechnologyAdvice.
        Terms of Service | Privacy Notice | Advertise | California - Do Not Sell My Information

        © 2021 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

        Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.

        ×