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Longhorn Server Scrapped

punkass writes "Microsoft announced Tuesday that plans for .Net Server, aka "Longhorn" have been scrapped and they will instead focus on the the release after that, code-named Blackcomb. NT4 came out in 96, 2k in 2000, and Longhorn was due out in 2005-06...Blackcomb seems to be a long time between releases."

22 of 468 comments (clear)

  1. Longhorn isn't .NET server by IamTheRealMike · · Score: 5, Informative

    Please correct me if I'm wrong, but Longhorn is the codename for the next general Windows release, ie meant for the desktop, it's not .NET Server which is something entirely different and without any of the SQL based filing system stuff

    1. Re:Longhorn isn't .NET server by Sycraft-fu · · Score: 5, Informative

      Correct. .NET server is effectively Windows XP server. It's based on the XP codebase and it sure as hell isn't being scrapped, we have a beta installed on a test server right now and it's almost complete (mainly just the documentation needs to be finished).

      Longhorn is the next OS. So MS is going forward with the deskto version for 2004, but is pushing the server version back.

    2. Re:Longhorn isn't .NET server by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

      Windows XP is a client-only OS, there is no XP Server (nOt a Matrix-reference!)
      Windows .Net Server 2003 is the (server)followup to Windows 2000 Server.
      Windows XP (Pro) is the followup to Windows 2000 Workstation.
      And Windows XP Home (finally!) 'replaces' Windows 9x.

      JB

    3. Re:Longhorn isn't .NET server by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Informative

      Indeed, Whistler is .NET Server. Whistler was also Windows XP... first time the desktop and server versions haven't been released together.

      Incidentally, Whistler and Blackcomb are two mountains near the village of Whistler, British Columbia, with rather decent skiing. Even better is the beer at the Longhorn Saloon, location between Whistler and Blackcomb mountains... See, Microsoft does have a sense of humour.

    4. Re:Longhorn isn't .NET server by netringer · · Score: 5, Informative

      You're right. Bill Gates himself talked about Longhorn last week on the Charlie Rose show.

      He said it's a "bet the company" project he's leading for a new easier to use desktop OS where all of the applications have the same easier to use user interface.

      The idea is for example, viewing a picture would use the same user interface as listening to a music source.

      --
      Ever dream you could fly? Get up from the Flight Sim. I Fly
    5. Re:Longhorn isn't .NET server by agallagh42 · · Score: 3, Informative

      You are correct. .NET Server is currently at RC1, with RC2 coming out "any time now". It's currently expected in Q2 2003. .NET Server is the server version of Windows XP (NT 5.1, where W2K is NT 5.0).

      Longhorn for the desktop (NT 5.2?) is in early alpha right now, due out I think sometime in 2004. They just scrapped the Server version of Longhorn.

      Blackcomb (most likely NT 6.0) is the first version that will have the native SQL filesystem. It's due in client and server versions sometime around 2006-2007ish.

      Take all the dates with a grain of salt, because none are set in stone yet.

      --
      Carpe Cerevisi - Seize the Beer
    6. Re:Longhorn isn't .NET server by Osty · · Score: 3, Informative

      Windows XP (Pro) is the followup to Windows 2000 Workstation.

      Just to nitpick your nitpick, there never was a Windows 2000 "Workstation". That was Windows 2000 Pro, the successor to NT4 Workstation, the last of the Windows line to use the "Workstation" moniker.


      Oh, yeah, and to be even more picky, you should say "Windows .NET Server family" and "Windows 2000 Server family", otherwise you'll be ignoring Windows 2000 Advanced Server and Windows 2000 Data Center, as well as the various versions .NET Server will have.

  2. Longhorn is *not* .NET Server by sk3tch · · Score: 4, Informative

    Longhorn is the "codename" for the release *after* Windows .NET Server.

    Windows .NET Server is already at the Release Candidate stages, I highly doubt they're scrapping it...heck, I already received my free Leatherman Pulse tool engraved with the OS' name for trying out the software. :)

  3. Not .NET Server... by Anonymous+Commando · · Score: 5, Informative
    Longhorn is the successor to .NET Server. .NET Server is currently at release candidate 1.

    <ob_editor_bitching>How about a little fact checking, eh?</ob_editor_bitching>

    --
    Corporate Jenga: You take a blockhead from the bottom and you put him on top...
  4. .Net server is not Longhorn.... by Dot.Com.CEO · · Score: 5, Informative
    ...and it has definitely not been scraped. It is in final beta stage, actually.

    Longhorn refers to the next version of the Windows Server OS. I sometimes wonder whether the editors do any fact checking or even read the articles...

    --
    Mother is the best bet and don't let Satan draw you too fast.
  5. .Net Server hasn't been scrapped by theinfobox · · Score: 5, Informative

    If you read the article, it is the version AFTER .Net Server that has been scrapped--code name Longhorn. .Net server has already shipped Release Candidate 1 and RC2 should be out shortly. The final .Net Server should be out next year. Longhorn server and desktop versions were due out in 2004. Since it take corporate environments a couple of years to roll out a server upgrade, MS figured .Net Server would never get implemented by most IT departments(i.e. they wouldn't sell many copies of .Net Server).

    Now, MS is just going to skip the Longhorn release in 2004 and instead go to the Blackcomb release.

  6. No Longhorn Server On Tap by DanGlass · · Score: 2, Informative

    There is a similar article here [pcmag.com].

    It seems that Microsoft may be seeing that making a sound, secure server take more than just slapping a fresh GUI on top of a very tired, 8 year old foundation.

    Since RC2 has not even shipped yet, they are even talking about pushing the .NET server release back farther into 2003.

  7. Re:Code name by ceejayoz · · Score: 3, Informative

    Microsoft (and lots of other companies, too) use codenames - often the final name isn't known yet (what if Windows 95 had come out in '97, for example).

    Here's a list of MS's codenames

  8. Windows NT corrections by Joe+U · · Score: 5, Informative

    Actually, Windows NT 3.1 (the first release) was a multi-cpu architecture operating system that ran on Intel, Mips, Alpha and eventually the PPC platform. It was Posix compatible and compatible with most well behaved Windows 3.1 apps. It had a version of Office for it and even a TCP/IP stack before the Internet was popular.

    I'm not sure what OS you're talking about, but it wasn't Windows NT.

    I won't even begin to get into the fact that longhorn was supposed to be a point release and not a new revision. (This would be Windows NT 5.2 if MS marketing didn't ruin a perfectly good version numbering scheme) (BTW, .net server is Windows NT 5.11, expect to see it in about 6 weeks.)

    1. Re:Windows NT corrections by F.Prefect · · Score: 3, Informative
      Just a nitpick, but .NET Server is NT 5.2. I have a build sitting on a machine right next to me, and ver says:

      Microsoft Windows [Version 5.2.3714]

      --
      --Ford Prefect
  9. Re:What Kind Of Name Is "Blackcomb"? by The+Wookie · · Score: 3, Informative

    Blackcomb is a mountain range that passes through Whistler in British Columbia (at least, that's what I can make out from a quick Google search). I guess that's their way of saying that it is a successor to Whistler.

  10. Re:What Kind Of Name Is "Blackcomb"? by great+om · · Score: 2, Informative

    It is a a good ski resort in British Columbia (right next to Whistler, another ski resort)

    --
    ------- Oh damn.... the Sigfile escaped... -Great OM
  11. Re:This is good. by SwissCheese · · Score: 2, Informative

    Now Microsoft has to give me permission to put a different OS on my box?

    No, when you purchase a computer with OEM Windows XP Pro, you are automatically granted a license for Windows 2000 Pro.

    This is good for businesses as we can order our computers with Windows XP Pro and install Windows 2000 Pro on them. In the future if we ever decide to upgrade to XP Pro on the desktop, it is a "free" upgrade instead of having to purchase an upgrade license.

  12. Server roll-outs are SLOWER than desktops... by zerofoo · · Score: 3, Informative

    I just migrated all of our NT4 servers to windows 2000 advanced server in February, a good TWO years after the introduction of the Windows 2000 server products.

    Since then i've had to apply countless service-packs, security patches, fixes....some of which made some servers unbootable. Lots of organizations still run Windows NT 4 server....why?

    Two reasons:

    1. It suits their needs just fine.
    2. They want to wait until service packs and security fixes slow to a trickle before committing lots of time and resources to the upgrade.

    Does Microsoft think that adding a new product to the mix will make IT managers less gun-shy about a newly released server OS? Gimme a break.

    I won't be moving from windows 2000 server for AT LEAST 3 more years. Even if .Net server was released tomorrow, I wouldn't touch it for about 5 years.

    -ted

  13. Re:What Kind Of Name Is "Blackcomb"? by ShieldWolf · · Score: 3, Informative

    Blackcomb and Whistler are both ski resorts in BC (Longhorn is a Saloon on the Whistler side). The reason these were chosen is because a lot of the Windows Design team go there from Seattle for ski trips.

    --
    just = (My)Opinion.toCents();
  14. Re:This is good. by wilhelm9 · · Score: 2, Informative

    IT departments HATE non-stop tiny changes, each of which requires new testing, and likely breaks several of their applications. This can be seen in the reality that many shops still use NT 4.0 even with its successor 2000, and its successor XP, available. Hell, most IT departments shun at even installing service packs.

    Yeah. In my shop we are running a Windows NT 3.51 as a file/printer/authentication server. Works great, no need to upgrade (or change to Linux...).

  15. You don't understand... by Duderstadt · · Score: 2, Informative
    So - I really have to wonder what crack Microsoft is smoking. They seem to be desperately out of tune with their users in the server market, and the Linux acceptance is proof. Professional users like backwards compatibility, and incremental changes. That is something UNIX and Linux provides.

    Obviously not what you've been smoking.

    Let me let you in on a little secret: Microsoft is not interested in maintaining or incrementally improving the status quo. Microsoft is trying to change the game. And .NET is the lever they will try to use.

    Delaying the next release of a server OS could be a good move for them. It will give customers time to roll out .NET before MS releases a fully .NET OS. Some major players (Like Robert Half) are already rolling out .NET.

    I have never seen a work environment where the in house software was not going through constant changes. What will MS customers be looking at when it's time to upgrade? .NET, anyone?

    They are going to look at .NET components, with their prepackaged remoting and serialization interfaces, language neutrality, etc as replacements for COM components.

    They are going to look at ASP.NET, with its automatic browser detection and code generation, tightly integrated XML binding, cleaner setup, and performance enhancements.

    They are going to look at ADO.NET, with its native XML handling, simplified programming model, true UDA, and its own performance enhancements - not to mention its custom drivers for MS SQL.NET.

    Make no mistake. MS has bet everything on .NET. If is successful, all MS has to do is make sure that Windows runs .NET better than any other OS. How hard will that be?