Longhorn M4 Build Review

Gsurface writes "I finally got my hands on the new Longhorn build, 4008, that was announced two days ago. After installing it and looking around through it, I decided to write a review expressing some thoughts on the new build. This new longhorn build, upon the prompt to "press any key to boot from cd..." jumps directly into a GUI that is unique. This build Microsoft decides to abandon the setup interface of XP and dress Longhorn on its own. "

Comments

Isonews

[Anonymous Coward]

It's great to see that Slashdot is picking up the slack left behind from Isonews. anybody got an ftp for 0-day warez?

For all of Lambda

[IdiotBoy]

LETMESMELLIT!

Screenshots HERE!!

[pardasaniman]

Get your latest screenshots here!!!

http://www.kde.org/screenshots/images/1152x864/k de 300-snapshot2-1152x864.jpg

But will it run Tux Racer?

[Anonymous Coward]

Thought this might be informative -- while working as a game counselor for Nintendo, I am often asked the same questions about a certain game. I even get the occasional request from confused Linux fans for information on Tux Racer, and in the hopes of clearing up any uncertainty you might have, I am posting the most popular ones here.

I can't collect enough herring in Twin Paths, help!

This is perhaps my most-often asked question. There's a common misconception that you have to have a good time to get credit for Twin Paths, but the limiting factor in this case is herring. Most players try the second path, which has more herring and a faster average speed. Unfortunately, neither path has enough to satisfy the requirement on its own. You must take the first path, then SWITCH OVER to the second path after the first two groups of trees. Some players also prefer to switch BACK to the first path to get the extra herring near the end of the level, but that's tempting fate in my opinion. Rest assured, though you might lose a little time going overland in this method, it's not enough to make a difference.

What is the highest jump attainable in Tux Racer?

Many people think that the highest jump can be found in Who Says Penguins Can't Fly? , where speeds in excess of 150 kph are commonplace. But since the entire level is essentially one big straightaway, there are no opportunities to set up a jump, and you have to rely on hitting the ramp at a glancing angle, counting on luck to propel you to a high altitude. The best you're going to get in this situation is a z-value of +13230. Believe me, some of the easier levels such as Twisty Slope or even Frozen River can give you a run for your money if big air is what you're looking for. In particular, the mountain to the left at the beginning of Frozen River can be used as a speed boost to attain values as high as +39740, or almost 120 feet in the air!

Is there any way over the big ramp in Sentinel Towers?

Contrary to what you may have heard, it's the angle of the ramp that's important to the height of your jump, and not the length. In fact, as you may have found out the hard way in Sentinel Towers, long ramps can be your worst enemy. To make the jump, you need to maintain a speed in excess of 84 kph all the way up to the base of the ramp. This requires a little planning in advance, so right after you exit the first ice canyon, make a beeline for the ridge on your right. Taking the most direct path will keep your speed on until you make it to the point of no return near the big ramp. Taking the most direct route off the ramp can also work wonders: you should always jump off near the right and then steer left after you hit the other side.

NOTE: If you're trying to complete the jump for the herring bonus, there's a quick & dirty way to do that by taking the roundabout route at the right of the ramp and then jumping over to the other side. Be careful, though: unless you hit the right jump, you will fall down the crack and have to reset.

How can I play as the Coca-Cola bear?

This feature is "officially" non-existent, so don't tell. ;) To get this feature working, you must complete, as Tux, all levels up to Path of Daggers in the Canadian Cup. Then go to practice mode and replay Path of Daggers, taking the path around the ice spikes at the beginning. When you get to the first turn, the one leading across the series of jumps, ignore the turn and go STRAIGHT OVER the embankment, flying into the clearing below. The easiest way to do this is to aim for the patch of snow in the middle of the embankment. If you maintain a speed over 50 kph, you will hit the slope at the extreme left side of the map and go straight through to a hidden ice tunnel underneath. At the end of the tunnel is a coke bottle which you must touch. (Alert players will notice that the bottle is actually on the plane of the level's exit, and the only way out is to touch a point in this plane, which gives you credit for this secret.)

Why?

[forkb0y]

While I recognise that slashdot is a community that covers users from the whole of the OS spectrum, is it really necessary to see thinly veiled advertisements for M$ products such as this? Don't you understand how happy it makes the beast to see his product chatted around on this site in particular? Don't you understand that in so doing, and by helping to expose and document the flaws in said product, you are doing their testing job for them (for free)? Couldn't you be doing the same thing for the open source community instead?

Just my opinion, not meant to be a troll.

Re:great.....

[Anonymous Coward]

For that matter, why don't you just revert back to your old user name, Eric?

By the way, if anyone wants pictures of "$$$$$exyGal," feel free to write to the following e-mail address:

ekrout@bucknell.edu

Note to Gsurface

[Stonent1]

Why post a review of something on slashdot when your site can't handle it?

using mysql

[Anonymous Coward]

any suprise why the site isn't working? They are using mysql. MySql blows.

Fresco NOW!

[Anonymous Coward]

We need Fresco, now, please; or at least soonish.