Microsoft Lifts Curtain on Indigo Software

daria42 writes "Microsoft has released an early version of Indigo on the Microsoft Developer Network. Indigo is a new communications system intended to let Windows programs more easily connect to other software. Indigo was one of the three original "pillars" of Longhorn, however under the new plan it will be re-tooled to work with Windows XP and Windows Server 2003, in addition to Longhorn."

Comments

Certainly not -- they're scrapping the Win32 API

[Kip Winger]

I may have been trolled, but the change from Windows XP to Longhorn will be about as big as between Windows 9x and Windows NT -- they changed the kernel between the two families of Windows, but left much of the Win32API, with its ugly legacy and infinite tackons, from DCOM to MFC.

Everything in Longhorn will be based on the .NET framework and sandboxed, with the Win32 API scrapped. Longhorn's ability to run the Win32 API will be through a compatibility layer, similar to the DOS compatibility layer in XP. However, WinXP's ability to run Indigo and Avalon, the two pillars of Longhorn, will be done through a forward compatibility layer.

Fortunately, they're doing everything clean this time with XML and SOAP, with an open API, as opposed to binary-only files, arcane RPC calls, and endless piles of undocumented, insanely messy code dating back until the early 90s. There actually might be some interoperability this time around -- Longhorn SAMBA certainly won't be nearly as hard to code and reverse engineer, especially with Mono in hand.

More details: http://msdn.microsoft.com/Longhorn/understanding/p illars/default.aspx

Re:XP - Longhorn

[NanoGator]

" I still don't see the benefits of XP over 2000 as a lowly end-user."

I use XP-pro at work, 2k at home. When I'm at home, there are a few reasons I'd rather have xP. I'm not trying to talk you into switching to XP (I doubt you'd be all that happy if you did) but I figured I'd share in case you or anybody else is considering it.

1.) I like ClearType. YMMV.
2.) XP's image viewer is nice for viewing sequences of images. Some of you probably know what I'm implying. ;)
3.) You can run multiple simultaneous users on XP. Mildly nice, but if you're the only user, hardly worth mentioning.
4.) You can actually LOCK the taskbar so you don't accidently drag that around. I'm extremely hacked off that I can't do this in 2k. Because of this feature, my Task-bar is quite useful since I've tweaked it.
5.) Grouping of common tasks (i.e. several folder windows) and system tray items takes a little getting used to, but in some cases it's very useful. (Potentially annoying, too. But you can always choose.)
6.) The start menu shows the most recently used stuff. Not the greatest whoop-de-doo ever, but I have to admit I've saved a little time as a result of it.

XP has grown on me. I haven't had stability or security issues with 2K or XP so I can't tell you that it's better or worse in that regard. 2K to XP is sort of like getting a moon-roof for your car. You pay more for it, and it has its uses, but you probably wouldn't miss it if you didn't get it.

Okay, I'm not being terribly on-topic here, but I imagine there are people out there wondering if 2K to XP is worthwhile.