Windows 'Longhorn' Kicks Off (On Paper)

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."

Comments

proposed requirements for the next Windows

[56ker]

Here's the link to it Just click here!

Oh joy.

[Kenja]

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?

The much anticipated...

[swagr]

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

Re:The much anticipated...

[Quill_28]

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

Re:The much anticipated...

[x0n]

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

Re:The much anticipated...

[Anonymous Coward]

(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.

Re:The much anticipated...

[JabberWokky]

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

Note the softened code name...

[GeneralEmergency]

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

Re:Note the softened code name...

[GTRacer]

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...

As a University of Texas Graduate

[Deacon Jones]

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

FYI: Windows "Longhorn" Platform Goals

[nherc]

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.

Re:FYI: Windows "Longhorn" Platform Goals

[mickwd]

"...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...

Re:FYI: Windows "Longhorn" Platform Goals

[ZaneMcAuley]

You missed one :D

- To make more money.

Re:FYI: Windows "Longhorn" Platform Goals

[nachoman]

PC has appliance-like simplicity

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

Re:FYI: Windows "Longhorn" Platform Goals

[Colz Grigor]

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

Re:FYI: Windows "Longhorn" Platform Goals

[Waffle Iron]

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.

Re:FYI: Windows "Longhorn" Platform Goals

[mickwd]

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.

Features I'd like to see in the next Windows

[Ubergrendle]

- 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.

Re:Features I'd like to see in the next Windows

[kzinti]

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

Using 3D API's for 2D?

[bravehamster]

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!

Re:Using 3D API's for 2D?

[geekoid]

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.

Re:Using 3D API's for 2D?

[Cutriss]

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?

"New" features?

[sphealey]

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

Re:"New" features?

[swordboy]

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...

As a Texas A & M University graduate

[krails]

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!

TV cards must support DRM!

[Col. Klink (retired)]

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

Re:Shot in the Dark Guess

[bnenning]

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.

What the...

[shades66]

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.

Re:Longhorns trademark?

[Kredal]

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?

Nice name

[DotComVictim]

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.

Competition

[papasui]

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.

Uh Oh

[kick_in_the_eye]

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

How appropriately named.

[MongooseCN]

Bend over so MS can give you the Longhorn..

No Analog path for CDs

[jparker]

From the doc:

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

Longhorn?

[r_j_prahad]

What a cheesey sounding name.

Comment removed

[account_deleted]

Comment removed based on user account deletion

trolling

[Anonymous Coward]

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