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Microsoft to Release a Thin-Client Windows XP

Posted by timothy on from the see-also-ltsp dept.

repking writes "I'm reading on Brian Madden's Thin Client Web that Microsoft is about to release (don't know exactly when) two new versions of Windows XP targeting the thin-client market (This products ARE NOT the Lite XP versions that Microsoft is about to release on certain countries like Brazil). Codenamed Eiger and Mönch, these two new releases would let you 'convert' old PC into thin-client Devices. Is Microsoft trying to compete with open source projects like PXES or ThinStation?"

3 of 349 comments (clear)

  1. Terminal Services by hwestiii · · Score: 0, Redundant

    Would this be like a stand-alone Terminal Services client?

  2. Re:Small buisness by Professor_UNIX · · Score: 0, Redundant
    Windows 2000, however, still allows your copy of XP or 2000 to be a "free" Terminal Services CAL (and it is permitted under the Windows 2000 Server EULA.)

    If you're already running Windows 2000 or Windows XP then what is the point in connecting to a Terminal Server? The only time I've ever been interested in wanting to connect to a Windows Terminal Server is from a Mac or Linux desktop in order to run Windows programs faster than I can in VirtualPC or VMWare and I'd have to buy a CAL to do that.

  3. Re:Small buisness by Creepy+Crawler · · Score: 0, Redundant

    I admit I know a bit about Citrix, but some of those points seem obtuse. Dont get me wrong, this (loosely) advert is pretty darned informative as I didnt know that Citrix could do those..

    ---Citrix gives you UPD I & II (Universal Printer Drivers roxxors)

    Whats wrong with LPD or Cups? Apple likes CUPS and any unix understands the ol Berkley Line Printer Daemon. Even windows can be aimed at a LPD (tcp)port.

    ---Citrix gives you the ICA protocol, more efficient bandwidth usuage.

    Ive not compared them, but how does the following compare: VNC compression, X with LBX module, ICA protocol, and gzip.

    ---Citrix gives you Secure Access Gateway for SSL Encrypted sessions through any web browser.

    For single user access on MSWin platforms, you can use VNC which even provides java-based app to access desktop. BTW Sun has a java client for almost every OS conceived ;)

    ---Citrix gives you published applications. (awesome)

    I dont understand... Maybe Im reading what this does wrong but why would you need to publish an app? Wouldnt you just copy it to the server and make links?

    ---Citrix gives you load balancing.

    Agreed. Other load-balancing setups are a bear. Citrix is actually easy to manage.

    ---Citrix gives you MultiMedia, Browser, and Flash acceleration.

    Well, I for one wouldnt play multimedia over a network pipe. Id rather actually decode the frames locally but having the capability is neat. Flash is stopped at the flashstopper with a pretty "start" icon.

    ---Citrix gives you a common clipboard with a local desktop.

    Can anybody say "running joke"? Yeah, ever since all the programs on Linux fragmented from the Mime clipboard that resides in Xwindows, C&P has been a gas on that platform...

    ---Citrix gives you dynamic client names.

    ??? So does Bind.

    ---Citrix gives you silent client rollout.

    Erm, whats that exactly?

    ---Long story short, if you think that all Citrix gives you is some nifty management tools then you REALLY need to look at the product.

    Many people pay big money to link together sets of programs and management tools. Thats what Citrix is. If you took away the management tools, it wouldnt be worth a nickel.

    --