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Windows 'Longhorn' Kicks Off (On Paper)

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the feature-envy-can-be-healthy dept.

gdeciantis writes: "NeoWin.net posted an article which outlines some of the new features that are currently planned for the the next version of Windows (codenamed Longhorn). With new features like seamless content transfer across devices, it looks like Longhorn will not just be Windows XP SE."

145 of 432 comments (clear)

  1. proposed requirements for the next Windows by 56ker · · Score: 4, Informative

    Here's the link to it Just click here!

    --


    Video Game cheats, hints a
    1. Re:proposed requirements for the next Windows by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Informative

      Here is the actually link to the document mentioned in the article

  2. In case the site get's Slashdotted..... by phoenix_orb · · Score: 2, Informative

    Thanks to xStainDx for the heads up in BPN on our forums.
    He has found some documentation on Windows Codenamed Longhorn, the new Windows planned to follow XP. Microsoft have been keeping mum about this, not letting on if Longhorn will be XPSE (read: Second Edition) or a major upgrade and advancement.

    We can reveal today that there will be some major advancements in compliance and driver support for Longhorn with an addition to securing the OS and making it more central to the home PC. For example: Taken from h3-longhorn_preview_winhec.doc
    ADVANCES: Broadcast and video components meet reliability and stability requirements
    New built-in driver support is being planned for Windows Longhorn. Support planned at this time includes a new class driver for USB video cameras.
    Proposed requirements include the following:

    For any device that provides end-user capabilities for transfer of digital content, expose the device schema so that Windows can support seamless content transfer.

    The device and driver must ensure a minimum level of propagation and persistence of device or content metadata.

    The DirectX Video Acceleration (DirectX VA) API must be used if the hardware supports acceleration of MPEG-2 decode with motion compensation, iDCT, or VLD.

    Video that is interlaced must be de-interlaced using the DirectX VA and Direct3D 9 APIs for video.

    The components must be capable of rendering video with the Microsoft DirectShow Video Mixing Renderer using DirectX 9 Direct3D.
    and also discussed is:
    NEW: "Mira" device, if implemented, meets stability, reliability, and compatibility requirements

    Proposed requirements for "Mira" devices are TBD

    --
    Blah Blah Blah.
  3. Oh joy. by Kenja · · Score: 5, Funny

    I guess this means we get to see another video clip of the Microsoft CEO stamping around on stage screaming. This time in a cowboy hat and boots of course. I wonder if they'll hand out temp tattoos that look like cow brands with the MS logo?

    --

    "Have you ever thought about just turning off the TV, sitting down with your kids, and hitting them?"
    1. Re:Oh joy. by bonzoesc · · Score: 2, Funny

      As long as he's trying to round up Developers, Developers, Developers, Developers, Developers, Developers, Developers, Developers, I LOOOOVE THIS COMPANY! Developers, Developers, Developers...

    2. Re:Oh joy. by hyrdra · · Score: 2
      I guess this means we get to see another video clip of the Microsoft CEO stamping around on stage screaming. This time in a cowboy hat and boots of course. I wonder if they'll hand out temp tattoos that look like cow brands with the MS logo?

      Don't you mean stampeding around on stage? ;-)
      --


      "I'll just chip in a bit for RedHat: I actually have that installed on my university machine." - Linus, '95
  4. woohoo by SnAzBaZ · · Score: 2, Insightful

    yay! another oportunity to have a whole bunch of threads bashing microsoft...

  5. Re:who cares by Toraz+Chryx · · Score: 2

    *cough* NTFS is journalled already...

  6. The much anticipated... by swagr · · Score: 3, Funny

    Notepad upgrade.
    Will we ever see a better text editor come with the os?

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    -... --- .-. . -.. ..--..
    1. Re:The much anticipated... by Quill_28 · · Score: 4, Funny

      If they come out with a better notepad wouldn't they be using their monopoly power to crush the competition?

    2. Re:The much anticipated... by x0n · · Score: 5, Funny

      Ah, you know about the secret .LOG function too? Open notepad, make the first line .LOG -- save it, and voila, everytime you open it, it inserts a timestamp! beat that EMACS in under 85 lines of lisp!

      - Ois

      --

      PGP KeyId: 0x08D63965
    3. Re:The much anticipated... by Telastyn · · Score: 2

      I'd love to see Textpad come with win*. It's free as in annoyware (popup every 5th save?) though it's only $30 to register (to support more plugins).

      You can get plugins to do syntax highlighting for pretty much anything immaginable. Reads/saves pc or unix, built in spellchecker, nice and light. What wordpad would be if you actually had to use it.

    4. Re:The much anticipated... by wiredog · · Score: 2

      I like notepad. It does basic text editing very well and very fast. If you need something with better capabilities use Wordpad, or get a real word processor.

      --

      Best Slashdot Co
    5. Re:The much anticipated... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Informative

      (add-hook write-file-hooks time-stamp)

      Then put

      Time-stamp:

      anywhere in the first 8 lines of your file.

      Of course, unlike the Notepad version, this is fully customisable and documented.

    6. Re:The much anticipated... by ArsonSmith · · Score: 2, Interesting

      Sometimes I see this as a downfall of Linux. The software for Linux seems to always try to be everything to everyone. There is no supper basic notepad for Linux, ok gedit and i am sure that kde has one too, but windows always seems to have kind of a 3 teir application base. sort of a notepad->wordpad->msword or paint->image editor->photopaint depending on how many features you may want.

      Linux seems to do well on the full featured version stuff but not so well on the very basic straight forward applications. (except for the command line. There they do it right.)

      --
      Paying taxes to buy civilization is like paying a hooker to buy love.
    7. Re:The much anticipated... by Arandir · · Score: 2, Interesting

      Do you know what Notepad is? It's essentially the multiline edit control of MFC with a frame around it. Do you know what KEdit is? It's essentially the multiline edit widget of Qt with a frame around it. The example Visual Studio editor and the sample Qt editor are virtually indistinguishable from Notepad and KEdit but for a bit of polish.

      Why doesn't KEdit qualify as a super basic text editor? You can't get much simpler than that.

      --
      A Government Is a Body of People, Usually Notably Ungoverned
    8. Re:The much anticipated... by Mignon · · Score: 2
      There is no supper basic notepad for Linux

      Notepad works in Wine. How's that for ya?

    9. Re:The much anticipated... by JabberWokky · · Score: 4, Informative
      notepad->wordpad->msword

      For KDE:

      KWrite -> Kate -> KWord

      KWrite is just like notepad. No frills, just text, and you click and type. Kate is a serious powerhouse text editor, similar to TextPad for Windows. It allows plugins, and can be used as a simple IDE, or XML document manager. KWord is like MS Word lite. It has a good chunk of the features needed to handle most office needs. It's biggest problem (bugs in WYSIWYG code) is fixed in CVS and there will be a new release soon (KOffice releases follow KDE releases).

      paint->image editor->photopaint

      For KDE:

      KPaint -> Krita

      KPaint is just like paint - suitable for kids to scribble with or JeffK to make dumb art. Krita (formerly Krayon) is the KOffice photo program, a la Photoshop. It's new, and will be in the upcoming release (probably, if now, the one after that). If you want a vector drawing app, there's the very stable and powerful Kontour.

      Basically, you get the "simple" version in the basic install of KDE, and add the "advanced" verion when you install KOffice. There ya go... problem solved.

      --
      Evan --
      Evan

      --
      "$30 for the One True Ring. $10 each additional ring!" -- JRR "Bob" Tolkien
    10. Re:The much anticipated... by tzanger · · Score: 2

      Will we ever see a better text editor come with the os?

      Me, I use Notepad+, it's never steered me wrong. And when I'm feeling frisky, there's GVim.

    11. Re:The much anticipated... by warpSpeed · · Score: 2

      Notepad needs to support using the key to switch modes. It is frustraing to keep hitting and not be put into command mode....

    12. Re:The much anticipated... by HiThere · · Score: 2

      Perhaps an updated Kontour will qualify to be called "powerful". That doesn't describe the current version. The current version of Kontour (well, the one that came with Red Hat 7.2) is sub-adequate. Not terrible, but nothing to hang your hat on. It's had far less development than, say, the gimp, and shows it. The gimp may be a good tool. I'ld need to put more work in on it to find out, but I've seen good work that was reported to come from it. Kontour ... not yet.
      KWrite as of the latest version that I've seen is still missing a good index and table of contents creation facility. (I recommend that they swipe the version used in Word 5.1 for the Mac. MS Word has gone downhill from that with every version, but expecially in their indexing and table of contents facilities. In that version there was text markup that could be visible or not, depending on a switch. And could be easily hand edited. Far superior to the "fields" that the current version uses, at least for tables and indexes. Also, I would recommend that they take a page from Word Perfect and enable Multiple tables of XXXXXXXXX, with different names. This allows one to construct tables of illustration, tables of Code, etc.

      To me bibliographic notation is less important, but I know that it is important to many. This isn't at all the same as footnotes, which I use more often.

      Another nice feature is the ability to create an isolated block of text, perhaps anchored to some particular word in the external text, that it attempts to follow along with. The block needs to be able to be outlined, so as to be a clearly distinct piece of text. (Think of a fragment of code that floats along with a text description of what it does. [Hello, World!])

      I can do most of this with Word. Enough. But not all. KWord, OTOH, doesn't have many of these features yet. Which means that I *can't* use it. Perhaps this is changed in the new release. I'll certainly look at it. For now, I'm wondering just how much of what I need StarOffice will offer. (OpenOffice is still crashing whenever I try to use it. Last time it grabbed the focus on the mouse and wouldn't let go. I ended up killing X Window. I actually thought I was going to need to power cycle the computer, when X finally died (BOY was I glad for ext3's journaling about then!).

      And I don't consider myself a heavy word processing user. Or a graphic artist. For professional use... (well, perhaps professionals would be using Lyx? ... No, they would want something that was quick to use and gave immediate feedback as well as being powerful.)

      I keep saying "next time this will be good enough that I'll be able to recommend it to non-techies", but as long as I can't get what I want from it, I sure can't recommend it to others. Right now I end up doning most of my Linux word processing in HTML. That's how bad I find the current crop of editors. (And you KNOW this means that there isn't any decent index, or even page numbers...).

      --

      I think we've pushed this "anyone can grow up to be president" thing too far.
    13. Re:The much anticipated... by DaCool42 · · Score: 2, Funny

      notepad->wordpad->msword

      cat->vi->vim

      --

      ----
      All of whose base are belong to the what-now?
    14. Re:The much anticipated... by igrek · · Score: 2, Troll

      1. It can not handle Unix end of line characters properly.

      So what? Unix editors can not handle DOS line endings (^M) neither. You have to run dos2unix or do :%s/...
      It's not basic editor functionality to support foreign OS conventions.

      2. It is not "fast" to use. e.g. to search for the text "findme"

      Wrong. [F3]findme[ENTER] - the same number of keystrokes

      Finding the mathcing parenthesis has nothing to do with basic text editing.

      You confuse Notepad.exe with programmer's editors. It's NOT a programmer's editor. It's basic text editor.

      If you need programmer's editor on Windows, use Vim or MS Visual Studio or whatever, but not Notepad.exe.

    15. Re:The much anticipated... by wedg · · Score: 2

      The software for Linux seems to always try to be everything to everyone. There is no supper basic notepad for Linux

      I'm pretty sure that the "notepad" for Linux could be considered to be "ed". Try "ed filename.txt". That's as basic as you can get. A step above that would probably be pico (or nano). And then at the top you have VI, Emacs, etc. There's always cat >> filename.txt EOF if you want to get even more basic.

      nEdit is a good graphical notepad too.

      For me, though, the notepad has always just been the console. If I just need to edit something in a jiffy I just "vi /etc/X11/XF86Config" or whatever. If I'm writing a paper or coding I'll bust out nEdit or jEdit or something else.

      --
      Jake
      Dating: while( 1 ){ call_girl(); get_rejected(); drink_40(); } return 0;
    16. Re:The much anticipated... by Kismet · · Score: 2


      So what? Unix editors can not handle DOS line endings (^M) neither. You have to run dos2unix or do :%s/...

      You don't have to search and replace DOS CRs in VIM. Just do :set fileformat=dos and VIM will support DOS mode files just fine, both reading and writing.

    17. Re:The much anticipated... by JabberWokky · · Score: 2
      Kontour, yes, I was referring to the upcoming version, which is simply astounding. If you like and work with vector graphics, this gives you incredible control and excellent features. I just checked the koffice website, and there's no info on the upcoming version. I'm not sure where I saw the info (changelog and screenshots) but it was impressive.

      As for KWord, no, bibliographic notation and some academic features aren't available. That's why I said most office use. For memos and letters, it's there. For writing a thesis, I wouldn't recommend it. Not even the upcoming version. But I can write memos, design newspaper ads, print out VCR covers, and write letters to my niece and nephew... all stuff I've done this week with KWord. Even now I don't *quite* recommnd the current version (that WYSIWYG bug is a killer one, but it is finally stomped and fixed in CVS). But I use it daily with no problem.

      --
      Evan

      --
      "$30 for the One True Ring. $10 each additional ring!" -- JRR "Bob" Tolkien
    18. Re:The much anticipated... by RestiffBard · · Score: 2

      nano. its pretty quick and pretty basic from what I've used of it. I prefer vi for a thousand reasons but nano is nice.

      --
      - /* dead coders leave no comments */
    19. Re:The much anticipated... by spectecjr · · Score: 2

      I'd love to see Textpad [textpad.com] come with win*. It's free as in annoyware (popup every 5th save?) though it's only $30 to register (to support more plugins).

      I paid for my copy. If you use it a lot (I know I do), do the right thing - pay for yours.

      Simon

      --
      Coming soon - pyrogyra
    20. Re:The much anticipated... by Ayende+Rahien · · Score: 2

      Hey!
      Watch out, dude, I did it more than once, and then use edline to edit.

      --

      --
      Two witches watched two watches.
      Which witch watched which watch?
    21. Re:The much anticipated... by JabberWokky · · Score: 2
      this is exactly what I hate about the desktop on linux these days: let's do it like windows.

      Sorry, but this is how user apps on the Apple ][, C64, Mac, OSX, DOS, CP/M, Windows, VMS, Unix, Amiga, BeOS and OS/2 have worked.

      This is not about "Windows", it's about having both a horizontal and vertical application set. It's the same as ed, vi, emacs (if you come from *nix roots), or edlin, qedit, WordPerfect (if you come from DOS roots).

      Sounds like you're complaining just to complain, and haven't really given much thought to what you're complaining about.

      --
      Evan (Who has been using computers since before IBM made PCs, let alone before Windows came out)

      --
      "$30 for the One True Ring. $10 each additional ring!" -- JRR "Bob" Tolkien
  7. Note the softened code name... by GeneralEmergency · · Score: 4, Funny


    ..No more code names like HailStorm for these guys. Expect names like PuppyTail, SnuggleBear and ComfyHat from now on.

    --
    "A microprocessor... is a terrible thing to waste." --
    GeneralEmergency
    1. Re:Note the softened code name... by Wonko42 · · Score: 2
      Softened? Excuse me? What?

      Have you ever seen a Texas Longhorn? Think bigass cow. Now put about eight feet worth of sharp pointy horns on its head. How is that soft and cuddly?

      I grew up on a ranch with a neighbor who raised longhorns. They're generally docile creatures, sure, but when you piss one off and it's charging at you with those massive pointed horns, "soft and cuddly" is the last thing going through your mind, believe me.

    2. Re:Note the softened code name... by GTRacer · · Score: 4, Funny
      Well, actually, I bet in some cases, the last thing going through your mind is about eight feet worth of sharp pointy horns...

      GTRacer
      - ...or maybe elsewhere...

      --
      Defending IP by destroying access to it? That makes sense, RIAA/MPAA. Go to the corner until you can play nice!
    3. Re:Note the softened code name... by Wonko42 · · Score: 2

      You have a very good point (ha ha). Luckily, the thought of getting impaled by an angry longhorn somehow enabled me to actually leap over a barbed-wire fence. To this day I have no clue how I managed to jump that high without getting snagged, but I did. And boy am I glad.

    4. Re:Note the softened code name... by donutello · · Score: 2

      This has probably been stated before...

      Originally, the next release after Whistler was supposed to be called Blackcomb. (Whistler and Blackcomb are two ski slopes in Whistler, BC). When they decided to add a release between Whistler and Blackcomb they decided to name it Longhorn after the Longhorn bar which is between Whistler and Blackcomb.

      --
      Mmmm.. Donuts
    5. Re:Note the softened code name... by Hard_Code · · Score: 2

      I think the name comes from a mountain/ski range in Washington...not the animal.

      --

      It's 10 PM. Do you know if you're un-American?
  8. As a University of Texas Graduate by Deacon+Jones · · Score: 4, Interesting

    I really, really hate that they are using that name.

    --
    I pulled a jack move to cop this sig
    1. Re:As a University of Texas Graduate by geekoid · · Score: 2

      Get your university to sue them.
      Carl Sagon sued apple.

      --
      The Kruger Dunning explains most post on /. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning%E2%80%93Kruger_effect
    2. Re:As a University of Texas Graduate by JabberWokky · · Score: 2
      Carl Sagon sued apple.

      Yes, but then they renamed the project to Butthead Astronomer.

      Yeah, but he got the last laugh. He renamed *himself* to Carl Sagan.

      --
      Evan

      --
      "$30 for the One True Ring. $10 each additional ring!" -- JRR "Bob" Tolkien
    3. Re:As a University of Texas Graduate by Cadre · · Score: 2
      Yes, but then they renamed the project to Butthead Astronomer.

      The project was renamed even after that to LAW - Lawyers Are Wimps.

      Personally, I think they should have stuck with BHA...

      --
      All editorial writers ever do is come down from the hill after the battle is over and shoot the wounded.
    4. Re:As a University of Texas Graduate by HiredMan · · Score: 2
      The funny thing, aside from the fact that he sued them for an internal code name, is he was just upset that they were using his name.

      He didn't seem to get the association with the other code names: Cold Fusion and Piltdown Man.

      ;) Hint... those were both scientific frauds.

      The replacement BHA wasn't as poetic but it had it's own special charm...
      =tkk

      --
      Bill Gates - Creationist?!?
  9. FYI: Windows "Longhorn" Platform Goals by nherc · · Score: 5, Informative

    From: http://www.microsoft.com/winlogo/hardware/HWrequir ements.asp

    Windows "Longhorn" Platform Goals
    This section summarizes Microsoft's key goals for the combination of operating system and hardware platform advances with Windows Longhorn.
    Client Hardware Initiatives for Windows Longhorn
    In early planning for the Windows "Longhorn" client, Microsoft has identified following core areas for advancing the platform for the client PC:
    PC as a trusted, secure platform.
    These goals include core hardware changes to ensure security, plus support for smart cards and biometric input devices.
    PC fundamentals.
    These goals continue to improve the Plug and Play, startup, and manageability characteristics of the system.
    PC has appliance-like simplicity
    These goals includes advancing OnNow performance with "instant on" improvements, predictable power button behavior, and unified interaction between software and hardware controls. This also includes advancing "quiet PC' goals for targeted markets.
    For PC/device interaction, the goals include advancing standards for physical device connections and for discovery and authentication through Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) and Microsoft .NET Passport.
    PC as a primary form of integrated communications
    These goals include advances in voice quality for real-time communications, and advances to operating system support and hardware integration of digital video and voice input capabilities.
    PC as the center of home entertainment
    This set of initiatives focused on audio/video (A/v) streaming and encoding, by advancing a completely digital audio path and reducing system latencies. These goals also include dramatic advances for usability through easy access connectors, new media support, and graphics support for both two-foot and ten-foot user interfaces.
    PC is the preferred mobile device.
    These goals include advancing support for "ink as input" by commoditizing support for Tablet PC input capabilities for laptops and new form factors. These goals also work to expanding the reach of wireless computing, through advances related to IEEE 802.11, mobile IPv6, Remote NDIS, UPnP discovery, and Microsoft .NET authentication. In addition, these initiatives seek to advance scenarios and capabilities for hot docking and longer battery life.

    --
    'He was a dreamer, a thinker, a speculative philosopher... or, as his wife would have it, an idiot.' - Douglas Adams
    1. Re:FYI: Windows "Longhorn" Platform Goals by SnAzBaZ · · Score: 2, Interesting

      This also includes advancing "quiet PC' goals for targeted markets. what has 'longhorn' got todo with how quiet we, or computer manufacturers, decide to build our PC's?

    2. Re:FYI: Windows "Longhorn" Platform Goals by Anonymous+DWord · · Score: 2

      Sounds like either a standby-type button (like a home stereo), or changing processor actions so you can have variable fan speeds or something.

      --
      "If he thinks he can hide and run from the United States and our allies, he's sorely mistaken." Bush on bin Laden
    3. Re:FYI: Windows "Longhorn" Platform Goals by mickwd · · Score: 5, Funny
      "...predictable power button behaviour..."

      ????

      You mean like a power button that turns the power on, and then off again ?

      Us open-source folks had better give up now - there's no way we can catch up with advances like this...

    4. Re:FYI: Windows "Longhorn" Platform Goals by ZaneMcAuley · · Score: 3, Funny

      You missed one :D

      - To make more money.

      --
      ----- Whats wrong with this picture? http://www.revoh.org:1234/whatswrong
    5. Re:FYI: Windows "Longhorn" Platform Goals by nachoman · · Score: 3, Insightful

      PC has appliance-like simplicity

      And what does this mean for those who still can't program their VCR? Good one MS!

    6. Re:FYI: Windows "Longhorn" Platform Goals by Colz+Grigor · · Score: 5, Funny

      No, this means that Windows Longhorn will predict when the user really wanted to hit the power button and will turn off instantly.

      The heuristics for determining shutdown times have been improving since Windows 3.1. Remember the advent of the Blue Screen of Death in NT 4.0? That was really just a message telling the user "we think it's time for you to shut off the computer".

      ::Colz Grigor

    7. Re:FYI: Windows "Longhorn" Platform Goals by Waffle+Iron · · Score: 4, Insightful
      Us open-source folks had better give up now - there's no way we can catch up with advances like this...

      That's very funny. But that doesn't alter the fact that since the first soft-powered boxes came out a decade ago, I have never seen any OS, open source or closed, that consistently does the right thing on all machines by default when I push the button. Nor have I seen one that has power control settings that are both understandable and functional on all machines.

      I don't think that the problem is as simple as you imply; otherwise somebody would have fixed this mess by now.

    8. Re:FYI: Windows "Longhorn" Platform Goals by sahala · · Score: 2, Insightful
      You mean like a power button that turns the power on, and then off again ?

      I know it sounds silly, but this really is an issue. The general public wants to be able to use a computer like they do any other appliance. The power button is a simple thing, but across different computers the physical power button maps to different behavior. For instance, on notebooks, will it shutdown, hibernate, or go on standby?

      In XP on my desktop, when I hit "Turn off Computer" (under Start, I might add) it asks me if I want to standby, turn off, or restart. But I just told the computer I wanted it to turn off. It was a lot simpler on older machines where if I hit the switch it would cut the power and I'd be done (with a defragmented hard drive).

      Pretty much general users want to be able to use the computer like a TV: sit down, press a button, and have things immediately available. When the user's done, hit the button again and walk away. Not everyone leaves their computer on 24/7.

    9. Re:FYI: Windows "Longhorn" Platform Goals by Hard_Code · · Score: 2

      'Remember the advent of the Blue Screen of Death in NT 4.0? That was really just a message telling the user "we think it's time for you to shut off the computer".'

      Yeah, but that message was always spot-on. Amazing.

      --

      It's 10 PM. Do you know if you're un-American?
    10. Re:FYI: Windows "Longhorn" Platform Goals by scot4875 · · Score: 2, Interesting

      And what does this mean for those who still can't program their VCR? Good one MS!

      They'll still be able to 'play their tapes' and 'record their shows.' People who want to set up to automatically 'record on a sechedule' will have to RTFM.

      As opposed to (long) past OSes where they couldn't figure out how to 'insert the tape.'

      Remove obvious VCR analogies and replace with something PC related.

      --Jeremy

      --
      Jesus was a liberal
    11. Re:FYI: Windows "Longhorn" Platform Goals by mickwd · · Score: 3, Insightful

      OK, I've had a few serious responses to this (and some funny ones :), so here goes.

      The points you're making are exactly what I was making fun of. A computer power button should work like every other power button on virtually every other piece of electrical equipment (and on most people's walls, too). It does a simple function that *everybody* understands. Why on earth did computer makers feel the need to start pissing about with it ?

      TVs often have a standby button (usually on the remote control) and a separate power button. If computer makers want a "power" button to do something other than turn the power on and off, they should put another button there, and use it instead for the extra functions.

    12. Re:FYI: Windows "Longhorn" Platform Goals by sg3000 · · Score: 2

      I have never seen any OS, open source or closed, that consistently does the right thing on all machines by default when I push the button.

      Go here.

      I'm sure Mapquest or whatever could point you in the right direction.

      --
      Insert simplistic political, ideological, or personal proselytization here.
  10. Features I'd like to see in the next Windows by Ubergrendle · · Score: 5, Funny

    - Everything configurable via the command line for power users
    - Non-integrated browser
    - Non-integrated media player
    - Drivers for USB 2.0, Bluetooth, and Firewire
    - 100% documented APIs
    - No WPA

    I would also like the ability to fly, bend metal objects with my mind, and understand women.

    --
    John Maynard Keynes: "When the facts change, I change my mind. What do you do?"
    1. Re:Features I'd like to see in the next Windows by curunir · · Score: 2

      I would also like the ability to fly, bend metal objects with my mind, and understand women.

      Previous attempts at adding flight functionality haven't had less than stellar results...so it'll probably be a while before we see it again.

      However, I can assure you that when you choose to bang your head against after using Microsoft's new operating system against some metal object, it will end up dented.

      As for your third request, it simply isn't possible. I recommend that you request that Microsoft add the "cooking", "laundry", "dishes", "sex" and "stop bugging me and leave me alone" features. That should solve your problem.

      --
      "Don't blame me, I voted for Kodos!"
    2. Re:Features I'd like to see in the next Windows by WeaselGod · · Score: 2, Insightful

      - Everything configurable via the command line for power users
      > Everything is already configurable from the registry. For power admins they can just make a .reg file to apply the necessary changes to all PCs. Though in all seriousness do you have any idea how much work it would take to also make everything configurable from the command line. Almost as much work as it would take to make things configurable in a GUI for *nix.

      - Non-integrated browser
      > There are a lot of integrated components I want out of the OS (like fucking windows messenger) but the browser isn't one of them. I would argue that surfing the web is one of the core features of the computer and thus should be part of the OS. Since IE happens to be the best browser on the market you can't really complain. Its not like they are keeping you from using a different browser.

      - Non-integrated media player
      > Again, playing media is now a core feature of the computer. Users expect this functionality out of the box, thus it belongs in a desktop OS (server OS is a different matter). Moreover it should be as feature rich as possible, which will cause some intermingling with the OS. If you want to use a different media player, feel free, there isn't anything stopping you.

      - Drivers for USB 2.0, Bluetooth, and Firewire
      > USB 2.0 and Firewire are expected in a service pack to XP. Bluetooth would be cool though.

      - 100% documented APIs
      > I honestly don't believe that microsoft gains suppremissy by using special APIs. The reason MS products tend to be better then the compitition is that MS puts more people on the team, and hires brighter people. If someone from the office team came and asked someone on the platform dev team to add a special API to make their life easier I think the platform dev would tell the office guy to fuck off.

      - No WPA
      > Agreed. Of course the corperate version doesn't have it...

      Honestly, there is a lot I would like to see change in windows. For example I don't want to pay for Windows Movie Maker or any of the other extranious applications MS has decided to bundle. Some stuff should be with the OS, internet and media integration is a good thing. It provides a richer user experience that most people will use.

      --
      - WeaselGod
      Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet turbines
    3. Re:Features I'd like to see in the next Windows by rainwalker · · Score: 2, Insightful

      I have to refute a few of your points...

      I would argue that surfing the web is one of the core features of the computer and thus should be part of the OS
      I would have to strongly disagree with you. Perhaps this is because I miss the days when I could get all of my Internet fix through my remote shell account from my long-defunct local ISP. Web use (bah, graphics, waste of bandwidth!) may be something you spend a lot of time doing, but a core feature of your computer? Plus, this is certainly NOT the case in the business world.

      IE happens to be the best browser on the market
      Hardly. Go snag the latest release of Mozilla. Quicker, prettier, more customizable, more stable, and it doesn't spam me with pop-up windows. I only drag out IE when some dumbass web designer uses an old version of FrontPage and fills their HTML with non-compliant crap that only IE can decipher.

      Playing media is now a core feature of the computer. Users expect this functionality out of the box, thus it belongs in a desktop OS (server OS is a different matter). Moreover it should be as feature rich as possible, which will cause some intermingling with the OS.
      Playing media falls into the same category as web use as a "core" use of your computer. I use all my computers as MP3 clients (and a central MP3 server), and I STILL don't use it as much as my web browser, and I don't believe that web browsers are a core feature. Again, not the case in the business world. There is also no need for a media player to be integrated into the OS in order for it to be full-featured, I have been using high quality audio programs for years without them being integrated into my OS.

      I honestly don't believe that microsoft gains suppremissy (sic) by using special APIs.
      Go tell this to the Samba team. Go tell this to anyone who has tried to get a mixed-environment Kerberos system working. Go tell this to any one of the various office suite teams that try to decode MS's secret formats. Microsoft's "embrace and extend" policy (in order to make the origional spec incompatible) has been used sucessfully for years.

      Just my opinions. I have no problem with Microsoft supplying free web/media/etc. components that system integrators can include if they wish (and NOT be forced to include, or suffer penalties if they do not), as long as I can easily uninstall them and replace them with components of my choosing.

    4. Re:Features I'd like to see in the next Windows by Pfhreakaz0id · · Score: 2

      what planet are you from and how do I get there? Internet not a core part of a business computer? Web apps are all the rage (for good reason. Much easier to maintain than client/server apps). Mozzilla is nice (I tried the 1.0 release recently), but the number of sites I surf daily that didn't render properly was pretty significant.

      --
      DO NOT DISTURB THE SE
    5. Re:Features I'd like to see in the next Windows by kzinti · · Score: 5, Funny
      I would also like the ability to fly, bend metal objects with my mind, and understand women.

      To bastardize the words of the late great Douglas Adams:

      There is a theory which states that if men ever succeed in understanding women, they will instantly disappear and be replaced with something even more bizarre inexplicable.

      There is another theory which states that this has already happened.

      --Jim
    6. Re:Features I'd like to see in the next Windows by LadyLucky · · Score: 2
      Everything configurable via the command line for power users

      Win2k has always been very good for this. Use windows scripting host if there isnt a command line tool for everything.

      --
      dominionrd.blogspot.com - Restaurants on
  11. Using 3D API's for 2D? by bravehamster · · Score: 5, Interesting
    Following the links led me to Microsofts Longhorn website and another document entitled "Windows "Longhorn" Graphics Bandwidth Requirements". The part I found most interesting is:
    Windows Longhorn will expose new APIs for accelerated 2D drawing. These new APIs will not use existing GDI acceleration but will instead use the Microsoft Direct3D® DDI. New applications, therefore, will make use of the 3D pipeline of the graphics adapter for their 2D / productivity graphics requirements.
    So does this mean that in 2005 my new Geforce8MX will speed up my porn-browsing? Bring it on, Microsoft!

    --
    ---- El diablo esta en mis pantalones! Mire, mire!
    1. Re:Using 3D API's for 2D? by geekoid · · Score: 3, Funny

      No, it means there going to use your cards 3d channel for non 3d tasks. This should really suck when you need that channel for other things, like 3d.

      --
      The Kruger Dunning explains most post on /. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning%E2%80%93Kruger_effect
    2. Re:Using 3D API's for 2D? by Xerithane · · Score: 2

      Well, only when what's being drawn. This really isn't a bad thing. The 3d channels have been opened up much more than 2d acceleration has.

      The thing is, everything will be drawn as a 3d object. Think of an OpenGL based window manager. With proper hardware acceleration this will really kick ass. Of course, us on the Unix side of the fence have already done this and M$ will claim it's innovation.

      --
      Dacels Jewelers can't be trusted.
    3. Re:Using 3D API's for 2D? by GenCuster · · Score: 2

      The thing is, everything will be drawn as a 3d object. Think of an OpenGL based window manager. --
      We call this e17.

      --
      "The poet presents his thoughts festively, on the carriage of rhythm; usually because they could not walk" Nietzsche
    4. Re:Using 3D API's for 2D? by Cutriss · · Score: 3, Funny

      Windows Longhorn will expose new APIs for accelerated 2D drawing. These new APIs will not use existing GDI acceleration but will instead use the Microsoft Direct3D® DDI. New applications, therefore, will make use of the 3D pipeline of the graphics adapter for their 2D / productivity graphics requirements.

      Microsoft Chrome, anyone?

      --
      "Mod, mod, mod...and another troll bites the dust."
    5. Re:Using 3D API's for 2D? by josh+crawley · · Score: 2

      Umm, hasn't Enlighenment always had this?

    6. Re:Using 3D API's for 2D? by Wolfier · · Score: 2

      Seeing WINE's GDI implementation being so complete AND Direct3D support so inadequate, wouldn't it be just a matter of time before Microsoft does this?

    7. Re:Using 3D API's for 2D? by nachoman · · Score: 2

      That's how OpenGL does 2D graphics as well... 3 Dimensions with Orthogonal perspective. All the Z coordinates are set to 0. Looking down the z azis gives a nice 2D image.

    8. Re:Using 3D API's for 2D? by SmittyTheBold · · Score: 2

      news.com.com? What the hell is that?

      --
      ± 29 dB
    9. Re:Using 3D API's for 2D? by SmittyTheBold · · Score: 2

      Sounds like Apple's Quartz, but years later.

      Or maybe the new version of Enlightenment, but with a release date in the next decade.

      --
      ± 29 dB
    10. Re:Using 3D API's for 2D? by DarkEdgeX · · Score: 2

      It's a little strange, too.. as of DX 8.0 they've KILLED DirectDraw (the last revision to DirectDraw was in DX 7 with the IDirectDraw7 interface). Things that make little sense? The fact that while the API supports scaling and rotation of 2D images, hardware vendors didn't bother supporting it (yet, with Direct3D you could make a surface, display only that surface's side to the viewer, and perform basically the same operation all day long). Senseless.

      Microsoft should have stuck it out with DirectDraw and forced hardware vendors to implement the support in their drivers (as they should have anyways).

      --
      All I know about Bush is I had a good job when Clinton was president.
    11. Re:Using 3D API's for 2D? by revbob · · Score: 2
      So does this mean that in 2005 my new Geforce8MX will speed up my porn- browsing?

      Nope, it just means that Microsoft is clearing the decks for MPEG-4.

      By requiring 2D graphics to use the 3D pipeline, board makers can put more MPEG-4 logic in hardware instead of having to parse out the 2D elements in software and send them down a different pipe as the existing spec would (arguably) have required.

      In other words, nothing to see here, move along.

    12. Re:Using 3D API's for 2D? by jafuser · · Score: 2
      I've always wondered when Windows was going to have nifty 3d interface like some games.... Now I just want to know when Microsoft is going to add support for navigating your file system in a 3d environment, slaying old temp files with a light saber, and using force push and force pull to "move" files...

      Ugh.. been playing to much JK2 lately...

      --
      Please consider making an automatic monthly recurring donation to the EFF
    13. Re:Using 3D API's for 2D? by Suppafly · · Score: 2

      cnet

    14. Re:Using 3D API's for 2D? by SmittyTheBold · · Score: 2

      Whenever I see a site like that, I just assume it's a false/trojan site. I mean...use the damn "news.com" domain, not "*.com.com"

      --
      ± 29 dB
    15. Re:Using 3D API's for 2D? by Suppafly · · Score: 2

      well cnet owns com.com and links to all of their various sites from there..

  12. "New" features? by sphealey · · Score: 3, Interesting
    New features, eh? The only thing that saves Microsoft here is how short everyone's memory is in the tech industry. "Seamless file transfer across devices" sounds very similar to the "object oriented files system", which was first promised for the version of Windows that was going to follow NT 3.5 and was announced in 1991 or so. Of course the follow on to NT 3.5 was NT 4, which was released in 1996 and contained few to none of the promised wizz-bangs.

    But now it will be XP 2.0 (dare we call it 3.11?) that will have the good stuff. I am holding my breath, I am.

    sPh

    1. Re:"New" features? by swordboy · · Score: 3, Interesting

      But now it will be XP 2.0 (dare we call it 3.11?) that will have the good stuff. I am holding my breath, I am.

      Somewhat unrelated but along the same thought:

      Will Intel create a 4.77Ghz "Pentium XT" to celebrate the 1000 fold increase in operating speed over the 4.77Mhz 8086 XT processor?

      I'm actually serious. I think it would be appropriate considering AMD's use of the XP trademark...

      --

      Life is the leading cause of death in America.
  13. As a Texas A & M University graduate by krails · · Score: 4, Funny

    And as an Aggie, I think it's damn funny that they'd call it "Longhorn". Guess I'll have to name my test machine I install it on "Bevo" and rename my main Linux server "Beatthehellouttatu". =)

    Gig 'em!

  14. no analog output ? by tandr · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Removal of the analog signal path for CD audio.

    wth?

    1. Re:no analog output ? by dimator · · Score: 2

      Hmm... that would make sense. Forcing CD tracks to go through the OS would allow them to enforce DRM somehow.

      --
      python -c "x='python -c %sx=%s; print x%%(chr(34),repr(x),chr(34))%s'; print x%(chr(34),repr(x),chr(34))"
    2. Re:no analog output ? by jonnythan · · Score: 2

      Um. CD's store information digitally. The analog audio output port on a CD player actually sounds like ass. CD-ROMs have cheapass D/A converters in them to create that analog stream.

      If you extract the audio digitally through the IDE interface or play it through the CD-ROM's SPDIF jack, you're getting the high quality info directly on the CD, not the shit coming out of the CD-ROM's piece of crap D/A converter.

    3. Re:no analog output ? by ZxCv · · Score: 2

      Not to be overly pessimistic about Microsoft's intentions, but somehow I have a real hard time believing they listed that requirement because they want to improve the quality of CD audio that the PC plays. I would venture to bet that at least 95% of the people that use Windows wouldn't notice the difference, anyway. So what is their real motivation? Can we all say "D-R-M"?

      --

      Perl - $Just @when->$you ${thought} s/yn/tax/ &couldn\'t %get $worse;
    4. Re:no analog output ? by jonnythan · · Score: 2

      Send the digital signal to a real system. It'll sound great. (I have a Sony ES amp and NHT speakers.. cd's sound awesome ;))

      -Jon

  15. Re:I heard things by WildBeast · · Score: 2

    "So at least now when your os crashes you can look at a picture of brittaney spears."

    So as not to interrupt your porn slide show :)

  16. Minimum hw requirements by ch-chuck · · Score: 2

    will probably be a 3.2Ghz uP, 1Gb memory and 120Gb disk - and that's just to boot up. More RAM recommended for actually running applications, altho there probably won't be anything left that's NOT already integrated into the "operating system" that comes pre-installed with your new PC.

    --
    try { do() || do_not(); } catch (JediException err) { yoda(err); }
    1. Re:Minimum hw requirements by Xerithane · · Score: 2

      But linux can't be that big, even with M$ messing with it!

      --
      Dacels Jewelers can't be trusted.
  17. Not the next OS by thing_from_space · · Score: 2, Insightful

    This does not by any stretch of the imagination mean that this is the next OS to come from Microsoft. Remember how 2000 was supposed to replace 98 and how it wasn't ready for primetime when Microsoft needed to fluff their coffers? Remember what we got out of that? Microsoft Me!!! It's goning to be near impossible for MS to mess up the NT line, but I wouldn't put it past them to slather on some new features on top of XP Home making it a useless POC and call it their new OS.

    1. Re:Not the next OS by BoneFlower · · Score: 2

      Not to mention that 2000(when still called NT5) was supposed to be out in 97.

  18. Shot in the Dark Guess by twilight30 · · Score: 2, Insightful

    ... but it may have something to do with integrating the Digital Rights Management scheme further, so that ordinary users cannot rip CDs.

    I hope to be proved wrong on this. Wouldn't put it past MS, though.

    --
    ========================================
    Death will come, and will have your eyes
    -- Pavese
    1. Re:Shot in the Dark Guess by bnenning · · Score: 5, Funny
      but it may have something to do with integrating the Digital Rights Management scheme further, so that ordinary users cannot rip CDs


      As an Apple shareholder, I strongly encourage Microsoft to do this.

      --
      How to solve most of our problems: 1.Lots of nuclear plants. 2.Cure aging.
  19. Digital Rights Managements required for Logo? by rabbitpoo · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Anyone else follow the link to the microsoft page from one of the first posts?

    http://www.microsoft.com/winlogo/hardware/HWrequir ements.asp

    The document entitled "Requirements for Client PCs" states that several new devices must be present for the Windows Logo program, they include:

    Audio device that supports DRM

    From the TV and Video section:
    Video device that supports DRM

    And a more vague listing in the "Home Entertainment " section that calls for a "Digital Media device that supports DRM".

    On a side note, they are calling for BIOS makers to setup for being flashed from within the Win32 env, does anyone else see this as a way to open a hole for virus writers?

  20. Can't see the site... by Junta · · Score: 2

    But judging from the information duplicated on slashdot, this is a big hoax. Dta transfer across devices? Umm... gee, that sounds new. All this garbage about using 3D acceleraters for 2D operations? Blatantly stupid, video cards can do 2D acceleration faster than 3D. The extraordinarily absurd description of how video content would reach the screen? And the little one slipped in about analog path for CD being eliminated, that just sounds like prodding people to believe they are doign this for DRM.

    --
    XML is like violence. If it doesn't solve the problem, use more.
  21. Comment removed by account_deleted · · Score: 2

    Comment removed based on user account deletion

  22. And as a fan of... by tswinzig · · Score: 2

    ...Flo's Filet, I must agree with you.

    --

    "And like that ... he's gone."
  23. "TBD" by sulli · · Score: 2
    Interesting, though, that the details are listed as "TBD" in all three of these categories. Hardware vendors who attend WinHEC may wish to object to this sort of thing.

    But what do I care? i use a Mac.

    --

    sulli
    RTFJ.
  24. As a cow by Pope+Slackman · · Score: 2

    I am even more offended than you.

    C-X C-S

  25. TV cards must support DRM! by Col.+Klink+(retired) · · Score: 5, Informative
    Seems any WinTV cards that will want Windows logos will have to support MS's (patented) DRM technology. From the document:

    TV and Video Requirements
    NEW: Video device that supports digital rights management meets compatibility requirements

    --

    -- Don't Tase me, bro!

  26. Let's rephrase this, shall we? by Cutriss · · Score: 2

    With new features like digital rights management, it looks like Longhorn will not just be Windows XP LE (Limited Edition)."

    --
    "Mod, mod, mod...and another troll bites the dust."
  27. Want to see a graphical slashdotting in progress? by ZaneMcAuley · · Score: 2

    http://slashdotted.neowin.net (this is a valid URL, any name before neowin.net shows their statistics :D)

    Here is the graph :D

    http://mrtg.datacolo.com/switch1/?log=neowin.htw eb server.com&png=daily

    --
    ----- Whats wrong with this picture? http://www.revoh.org:1234/whatswrong
  28. Re:It's the devil i tell you! The devil! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    By breaking this seal, you agree to the following terms and conditions:

    1. Your first born child belongs to us. You agree to pay all shipping and handling charges in sending child to us, as well as paying ongoing maintenance fees for said child.

    2. You agree to make a weekly blood sacrifice of an Open Source developer using your PC as an altar. Failure to comply will result in the loss of one limb.

    3. You agree not to enage in Open Source development or other intellectual property destroying activities, which we will not define here, but we'll recognize it when we see it. Failure to comply will result in the loss of another limb.

    4. Your soul, of course, belongs to us.

    5. WE STILL DON'T PROVIDE ANY DAMN WARRANTY!!!

  29. What the... by shades66 · · Score: 3, Interesting


    Just read through the requirements and the following caught my eye..

    1) USB always full power. It looks like they must have shares in battery spares!?!?.. Why should they dictate how power management works. Shouldn't they be working around the hardware instead of expecting to dictate how the hardware works...

    2) Memory requirements.. Why are they asking this? They should make a system that can run in 64Mb MAX so that we can use the rest of the memory for the applications. It annoys me that with every new version of windows it takes up all the base level memory (ie when XP was released 256Mb was starting to become the norm. But XP needed that as a base just to load smoothly..)

    3) Win32 Flashable BIOS .. This worries me A LOT!!. With the past realiability of Microsoft products the last thing I want them doing is playing with the BIOS. I can imagine now all the queue's in PCWORLD at the service desk because they tried installing Windows X and now their computer won't even switch on..

    oh well. got to laugh at Microsoft trying once more to try and take over the world (They may get the hint one day that they can't)..

    I do wonder how many people will want this version of windows with all its anti-theft rubbish. Personally when I use my computer I want to use it the way I want not they way Billy Gates want's me to. That is why I use Linux. It is fairly simple to use, The applications I need are as good (if not better) than their windows counterparts. It allows me to experiment and learn without annoying restrictions. I know what is running on my machine, I can use what I want to access my machine, I know what the machine is logging behind the scenes, I can customise what I want without voiding my licence, I don't have to pay for bug-fixes (The patches from 95 to 98 to ME to 2k to XP cost a fortune...).

    Anyway rant over...

    Mark.

    --
    ---- There are 10 types of people in the world. Those that understand binary and those that don't
    1. Re:What the... by pretoris · · Score: 2, Insightful
      ... Why should they dictate how power management works. Shouldn't they be working around the hardware instead of expecting to dictate how the hardware works ...

      Because it makes sense. If Microsoft can program for hardware that works in a set, defined way they can get an OS that is works much more smoothly, actually other OS's could to. Look at MacOS X. Apple knows excatly what to expect from the hardware and can code accordingly. That doesn't mean that the OS will be more stable, just that it could be...

  30. Longhorn? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    Sounds like more Microsoft bull.

  31. hey!!!!! by the_2nd_coming · · Score: 2

    features like seamless content transfer across devices

    it looks like MS sees that apple has gotten it right.

    --



    I am the Alpha and the Omega-3
    1. Re:hey!!!!! by ZxCv · · Score: 2

      MS has seen this for years. Every new release of Windows has some UI feature or trait that was copied blatantly from, or at the least, obviously inpsired by, Mac OS. With any luck, the next thing they'll copy will be anti-aliased text throughout the OS.

      --

      Perl - $Just @when->$you ${thought} s/yn/tax/ &couldn\'t %get $worse;
    2. Re:hey!!!!! by scrytch · · Score: 2

      > With any luck, the next thing they'll copy will be anti-aliased text throughout the OS.

      That feature was in the Plus pack for Windows 95, the interface for which had UI elements ripped off pixel-for-pixel not from MacOS, but from NeXT. XP has sub-pixel antialiasing for LCD screens throughout the OS. And it doesn't take half the CPU time to do it ... how's Quartz workin out for ya?

      --
      I've finally had it: until slashdot gets article moderation, I am not coming back.
    3. Re:hey!!!!! by ZxCv · · Score: 2

      The "feature" has been there for quite some time, but how well does it work? Not very well at all, if you ask me. When was the last time you heard someone talking about how beautiful and clear the on-screen text in Windows looked? Yet, I hear that kind of comment about OS X every day.

      --

      Perl - $Just @when->$you ${thought} s/yn/tax/ &couldn\'t %get $worse;
    4. Re:hey!!!!! by ZxCv · · Score: 2

      Like I told someone else, ClearType has been available in Windows for a while, but how well does it really work? Not very well at all, which was my entire point. Never once have I heard someone say how beautiful and clear the text on my XP machine is, yet I hear that kind of comment every day about my OS X machine.

      I won't deny that a lot of UI features in 95 came from NeXT, but some were more obviously ripped from Mac OS (Recycle Bin and My Computer come to mind immediately).

      I don't know where you get "half the CPU time" either, but from someone who actually uses OS X day in and day out, I'd have to say you're a bit off. Perhaps in 10.0 that would have been accurate, but certainly not with 10.1.

      --

      Perl - $Just @when->$you ${thought} s/yn/tax/ &couldn\'t %get $worse;
  32. Windows Longhorn by bigjohnandsparky · · Score: 2

    A beta copy of Windows Longhorn has just been made available. Check it out here:
    http://ftp.die.net/mirror/humor/microsoft/w inrg.sw f

  33. Re:Longhorns trademark? by Kredal · · Score: 3, Funny

    The first line was correct... let's rewrite that, shall we?

    Wouldn't stand in court
    It's just a project codename
    Not the product name

    There, doesn't that look better?

    --
    Whoever stated that signature sizes should be limited to one hundred and twenty characters can just go ahead and kiss my
  34. Nice name by DotComVictim · · Score: 5, Funny

    I think it's quite funny that the codename "longhorn" refers to the beetle family, cerambycidae, well known pests of forests and ornamental plants. The larvae consist of worms that bore into the host, making it more susceptible to future infestation and disease.

    The analogy between this and the Windows operating system invasion of the corporate desktop is quite amusing.

    1. Re:Nice name by sean23007 · · Score: 2

      Where does it say that the codename "Longhorn" refers to a beetle? Usually the word "Longhorn" brings to mind a large, powerful beast upon which hundreds of individualist cowboys were able to make their living, on account of their extreme reliability and...

      Actually, that's even more amusing :)

      --

      Lack of eloquence does not denote lack of intelligence, though they often coincide.
    2. Re:Nice name by stubear · · Score: 2

      Actually Longhorn is a bar at the ski resort histler. Their latest names have come from this area; Whistler, Longhorn and Blackcomb.

  35. Competition by papasui · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Say what you want about Microsoft but the fact is that each time they release a new operating system. They are encouraging growth in the market. Open source groups have more reasons to make something thats a free equal (or better than) to Windows, while they are also imposing higher system requirements forcing hardware companies to sell more hardware and make faster parts. The fast parts yield more complex applications do to the fact that since Windows has higher minimum requirements the software users will already have faster systems that can run the software quicker. I don't know about you guys but I can do a lot more with my PC now than I could back when it was a 486dx2 with 8 megs of ram.

    1. Re:Competition by ReindeerBeer · · Score: 2, Insightful

      I honestly can't believe that I'm reading this.

      The fact that you can't do anything with your old 486 (I'm assuming with Microsoft products) is exactly what's wrong with Microsoft products. I was using a 486 SX (older than yours!) until very recently as a firewall for my home network. I upgraded that to a P75, and everything is speedy. Try doing that with Microsoft. But I guess you would rather have to keep spending more money upgrading your computer every time Micorosoft comes out with a new O/S....

      Hardware will continue to improve with or without Microsoft. In fact, Microsoft tends to lag behind hardware advances, requiring you to upgrade to their new version just to be able to use new hardware (USB and Win95). Microsoft is simply becoming lazy, and doesn't seem to realize the effectiveness of optimizing code. I wouldn't worry about hardware companies becoming lazy if Microsoft stops creating bloatware - consumers will always want faster/better stuff.

      -John

    2. Re:Competition by Dolly_Llama · · Score: 2

      How's the weather up there in Redmond?

      --

      Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known. -- Carl Sagan

    3. Re:Competition by (H)elix1 · · Score: 2

      I'm a long time fan - so don't take this wrong. I dis-believe. There is no way you can be running Win2K with Visual Studio 6, a current version of IE, and any services (like IIS or a db) running on a p-180 and call it zippy. Might be stable enough - but oh, the pain! I give my brother hardware like that to chop up into whatever he is calling art that week. Hate to break this to you , but if you are trying to use a p-180 to do code - you are a long way from the 90% yourself.

      Heck, I'm typing this on a slow p-600 w/512M RAM. It is headed to the server room to run nothing more than a linux cs server as it is way at the bottom of my hardware food chain. A 1G duron should not cost much over $50 these days....

      --
      +++ UGUCAUCGUAUUUCU
    4. Re:Competition by (H)elix1 · · Score: 2

      Ah, well... OK, I'm making EJB's - running a copy of Weblogic, Oracle, and VisualAge - along with a buch of other stuff. As it can take several minutes for the portal server to start up, I'll keep the "typical" end user machine waiting for testing and hang onto the fast box for development. I suspect we differ on our interpretation of snappy...

      I must keep you away from the appropriations committee. If my wife even had a hint that a GF4 may not really be needed for coding, I could loose my funding! (grin)

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      +++ UGUCAUCGUAUUUCU
  36. Uh Oh by kick_in_the_eye · · Score: 5, Funny

    Don't confuse this with the new Lindows Wonghorn release.

  37. RMS would never allow it by A+nonymous+Coward · · Score: 2

    Emacs is his baby, and I doubt very much whether either party wants it included with Windows.

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    Infuriate left and right
  38. How appropriately named. by MongooseCN · · Score: 5, Funny

    Bend over so MS can give you the Longhorn..

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    Outdoor digital photography, mostly in New Engl
  39. No Analog path for CDs by jparker · · Score: 4, Interesting

    From the doc:

    Proposed requirements for advancing audio capabilities include:
    Removal of the analog signal path for CD audio.

  40. Not Like What You Think by 4of12 · · Score: 2

    seamless content transfer

    Sure, a great idea, technically sound from the standpoint of making device API's easier to deal with and make the consumer experience easier, too. Kinda like the UNIX concept of "everything is a file", except maybe, everything is "copyrighted digital content".

    So look for inserted technology in the way of DRM or, as I prefer to name it, CUR (Content Use Restriction).

    Yep, I can see it now: seamless nice setup of interdevice PKI after the device keys and your VISA card number (embedded into the Longhorn Authorization process) are verifed over .NET.

    Michael Eisner will be giving plaudits to Microsoft for "achieving what Intel and the hardware manufacturers said was too difficult".

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    "Provided by the management for your protection."
  41. Longhorn? by r_j_prahad · · Score: 3, Funny

    What a cheesey sounding name.

  42. "seamless transfer across devices" by evilpaul13 · · Score: 2

    That sounds to me, like it'll have lots of drivers for PDAs and Digital Cameras and just auto-mount them as if they were a HDD. Of course the site is /.'ed so I can't read the story, but I hope MS found something else to add other than just that.

  43. Anti-Microsoft opportunity! by Alsee · · Score: 2

    The best way to kill off sales of a current product is to announce how great the next version is going to be.

    If any /. readers happen to be a writer for the New York Times for example, maybe you could write up an article about how great Microsoft's next version is going to be! Watch people in droves hold off on upgrading to XP! Praise can be a better weapon than FUD. Weeeee!

    -

    --
    - - You can't take something off the Internet! That's like trying to take pee out of a swimming pool.
    1. Re:Anti-Microsoft opportunity! by Alsee · · Score: 2

      talk about requiring DRM support in the next release

      Shhhhhhhh!!!!

      Don't tell them about that until the next version comes out, after they've already held off buying XP!

      -

      --
      - - You can't take something off the Internet! That's like trying to take pee out of a swimming pool.
  44. Re:Interesting name choice by tps12 · · Score: 2
    SE/030 is octal, so that's actually the SE/24, kind of a scaled down education market version of the SE/30.

    Seriously, though. SE/30's are sweet. Still useful after all these years, and so small.

    --

    Karma: Good (despite my invention of the Karma: sig)
  45. Weird, I don't see anything about IPOD?!? by wo1verin3 · · Score: 2

    hrmf.

  46. Re:Ensure that file associations are appropriate by Chris+Johnson · · Score: 2
    That _is_ interesting. Wonder if the judge in the antitrust case would have an opinion on Microsoft requiring that all OEM data files can only use the Microsoft middleware?

    I believe this also conflicts with something Quicktime does: I don't like it, but it can create a small file on the desktop that's little more than an ad to 'upgrade to Quicktime Pro!'. This file must associate to Quicktime, of course- and hence violates Microsoft's guidelines...

  47. Re:who cares by Toraz+Chryx · · Score: 2

    May I take this moment to inject some rampant BeOS fanboyism into this thread?

    \m/ BeFS \m/

    That is all.

  48. Comment removed by account_deleted · · Score: 4, Informative

    Comment removed based on user account deletion

  49. Not Quite by XScB · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Actually I believe Longhorn is named after this bar in Canada at the foot of Whistler. Whistler having been the codename for Windows XP.

    So instead of a cowboy, think of Ballmer dressed as a Mountie or Moose.

    Kinda scarier I think.

  50. Comment removed by account_deleted · · Score: 2

    Comment removed based on user account deletion

  51. Re:I can just see it now.... by Thing+1 · · Score: 2
    Push the power button and it says... Invalid Boot Sector:The OS you are trying to load is not Longhorn... Please call microsoft.

    They've already started: I went to create a new Hotmail account for a throwaway registration, using Mozilla 0.9.9 on Win2K. I got a message saying my browser was "no longer supported" or "an outdated version" and to upgrade to Microsoft's latest Internet Explorer.

    I could have manually changed the headers, but I went to Yahoo instead.

    That's not the point, though; the point is Microsoft's in the position where they can dictate to the consumer, and the consumer has no choice.

    Luckily we have Open Source. Or, conversely, thank Microsoft we have Open Source/Free Software; without their strong-arm tactics it would be (commercially) as unnecessary as Napster would be, if music CDs cost $2 each.

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  52. METAPAD by sofar · · Score: 2

    METAPAD is a much more feasable alternative. not only is it a good and stable replacement for notepad, it's also completely free. Not to mention it isn't bloated but just a lovely lightwight text editor just what it's supposed to be.

    Funny how these jewels go so unnoticed so often

    /me quickly returns to vi

  53. Comment removed by account_deleted · · Score: 2

    Comment removed based on user account deletion

  54. Re:Uhhh... by Pfhreakaz0id · · Score: 2

    I thought the slashdot story said 1.0 released, and I downloaded it, 'cause I hadn't tried it in a while. You are correct. Upon examination it is 0.99. Whatever. It's still quite a few.

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    DO NOT DISTURB THE SE
  55. trolling by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    flaming grits, M$, linux, hope this fails,BSD, conspiracy, and f you all because my obscure ___ is better.

  56. Re:who cares by Toraz+Chryx · · Score: 2

    BeBits they should have BeOS 5 personal edition mirrored somewhere (I think)

  57. That looks suspiciously familiar.... by gusnz · · Score: 2

    Step 1) Substitute "CBDTPA" for "Windows Longhorn" in the feature list.

    Step 2) Reread it.

    Is it just me, or does this talk of trusted, secure platforms and completely digital audio paths seem strangely familiar...?

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  58. Who cares? by s390 · · Score: 2

    Who cares what unwanted bloat and pandering to Hollywood's RIAA/MPAA goons Microsoft plans for their next revenue-extraction cycle? Irrelevant, that's all. Microsoft built it's empire on "good enough" software, but now most people have hardware and software that's "good enough" for what they want to do with it, so they have no need to pay OEMs or Microsoft again. They who have lived by "good enough" are about to die by it. And good riddance to bad software. I'm buying LEAP Puts on Microsoft stock.

    A study that documents the corporate backlash against Microsoft's overweening greed is here.

  59. Comment removed by account_deleted · · Score: 2

    Comment removed based on user account deletion