Slashdot Mirror
Microsoft Developing Windows for Low-End Machines
Jeff writes "According to the Washington Post, Microsoft is developing a version of Windows to run on old machines that currently run 95 or 98. It would be very similar to XP, but run faster on the older hardware. The move is to appease businesses and universities that don't want to scrap the old hardware. This is likely aimed at preventing Linux from gaining market share where MS is currently alienating their customers."
The best thing about this is that they will be forced to make their code more efficient to work on slower PC's. They'll integrate that code into future versions of the OS and we'll feel that efficiency and increased quality. This will also force the competition to do the same thing, building a culture that leads to more efficient OS's. Best news I've read all day.
Folks, this Microsoft thing just isn't taking off. So many versions of Windows and code forks. For business reliability and maximum TCO, take a look at Linux!
If thou see a fair woman pay court to her, for thus thou wilt obtain love
from TFA:
...
"SEATTLE -- Microsoft Corp. is working on a new Windows-based operating system designed to help companies make older machines run better."
bwa ha ha ha ha
I'm sorry, I just can't read any further; if I laugh any harder, I may rupture my appendix.
multifariam.net -- yet another nerd blog
What will it come bundled with? I hope it comes bundled with atleast IE so that as soon as people install it they can get on the web and download FireFox ;)
fuvoo: watch something
Does anyone else smell what I'm referring to in subject!
I wanted to say positive but all I see is a central server controlling our desktops more than ever before.
because that would require actual work on the part of microsoft
If they didn't include the first two, they wouldn't need the last two.
Buhdum-PISH. Thanks, I'll be here all week - and tip the waitress, they pay her less than me.sigs, as if you care.
Will this version of Windows be the hardcore gamers OS of choice?
A stripped down, bare bones version of Windows XP is what the gamer masses have been claiming for since years. As long as there is the latest DirectX, this means more horsepower for resource intensive games without the hassle of tweaking Windows till it bleeds in order to acheive the maximum horsepower for resource intensive games.
Hell yea, bring it on! Since I do all my work on other operative systems, I'd be willing to part with some dough to add it to my multi-boot as the gaming OS of my rig, at least for those games that don't run well under the latest Cedega.
If Microsoft really cared about it users, this version would be available free of charge for registered Windows XP Home and Pro users.
Hack your mind out of its sandbox.
I, for one, embrace our new thin-client-wielding overlords.
Gamingmuseum.com: Give your 3D accelerator a rest.
That's like Ford re-introduing the Pinto, but just a stripped-down version featuring only a rusty rear bumper and a gas tank.
You'll have to tow it behind a Ford pickup truck fitted with a special firewall/blast shield.You were 80% angel, 10% demon. The rest was hard to explain. - Over The Rhine
"Math in a song is good."-Linford
I would like a biscuit.
A cookie would work too. I'm not too picky.
I thus don't think it's a good idea to name a project after a mountain top famous for failed and deadly attempts to finally climb it.
:).
Even worse: According to wikipedia "Eiger" means "Ogre". Great naming
(Can a German please confirm the translation?)
Persistent networks are a mistake.
Then you need to switch to AOL.
You, my friend, have missed your calling.
Someone gets paid to write political attacks. I bet it's a lot.
I am sure you could wrestle 7 figures (but only 5 or 6 for tax purposes) for that skill.
Keep up the good work.
(No really, great analogy)
(in case you may still think I am joking, I am not)
The truth about Led Zep should never be told on
why not just make a 'faster windows' all around, that runs fast on both old and new hardware?
Didn't ya know? every version of windows has a hidden kernel level idle loop to make it chunky and slow. It starts off to make any computer feel like a pentium 75 and only slows down from there. The additional duration of that idle loop is proportional to the size of the registry. Windows is slow? It's not an accident. It's a design feature.
Even their filesystem is fat!
Hell, I am running it on my box at home that only has 640k of memoery. . .
>>>In fact, one reason we recommend Windows XP for many applications over, say Mac OS X, is the ability to remote into machines easily and with built-in software
>
remote into machines easily and with built in software? Is that what we call vulnerabilities now?
I manage a huge windows cluster with a third party app. called Sobig.Z.XP!
Like the kids around here are saying these days, You windows guys are the SuXorz.
The government which is strong enough to protect you from everything is strong enough to take everything from you.
Someone doing accounts payable doesn't need to install MySQL or .Net or Max or Doom3.
Geez! Give me a break! It was either play Doom3 all day or sit here reading Slashdot. Oh wait...
"I am the king of the Romans, and am superior to rules of grammar!"
-Sigismund, Holy Roman Emperor (1368-1437)
perl -e "eval pack(q{H*},join q{},qw{70 72696e74207061636b28717b482a7d2c717b343 637323635363534323533343430617d293b})"