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Longhorn Beta Begins

gcnaddict writes "Microsoft has officially sent invitations to their best beta testers and to WinHEC participants for their Windows Code Name Longhorn beta program. They also unveiled a new Beta Client which promises to be better than the current beta management systems, and will replace other means of beta distribution, including WindowsBeta and BetaPlace all in one fell swoop. While the new, highly anticipated operating system is not up for download, Beta 1 is expected to be up for grabs later this month. Unfortunately, it seems that the preliminary invitation codes are unique per user. Microsoft is expected to allow the public to apply for the beta program later this summer, and as usual, Longhorn will be a part of the Community Technology Preview program."

7 of 400 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Why will I want to upgrade? by StormUP · · Score: 5, Informative

    You CAN upgrade from Windows 2000 to Windows XP professional. You cannot upgrade from Windows 2000 to Windows XP Home. See the following chart for complete upgrade options: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/upgrading/m atrix.mspx

  2. Re:Everything Enabled? by MrZeebo · · Score: 3, Informative

    Offtopic, but how exactly can it be possible for a question to be moderated informative?

  3. Copy Of Invite And Link To Screenshots by monkeyman_67156 · · Score: 5, Informative

    Dear Microsoft Beta Tester,

    We are pleased to offer you an early preview of Windows, Code-Name "Longhorn," by extending this invitation to join the Longhorn beta program. Your participation is completely voluntary. Longhorn Beta Program participants will preview software for the next generation of Windows as well as Internet Explorer 7 for Windows XP and Windows Server 2003. If you choose to participate you will have the opportunity to provide Microsoft with feedback as we continue work on these exciting new releases.

    What is Windows Code-Name "Longhorn"?

    The next version of Windows, Code-Name "Longhorn," promises to be the most secure and intuitive Windows release to date. It delivers on the promise of allowing people to use their computers more effectively and confidently to achieve their goals and pursue their passions. It offers new tools to help protect the integrity of your system and your information, easier ways to find, visualize and organize your information, and provides better integration across applications, devices and systems.

    Longhorn will provide advancements in the following key areas:
    - A strong focus on the fundamentals of the operating system, including advancements in reliability, performance, deployment, and ease of use.
    - Major improvements to help PC users to work smarter and provide exciting new experiences for home users.
    - The next-generation developer platform to make it easier for developers to create breakthrough applications.

    What you can expect if you choose to participate:

    You will be notified by email this summer when the software becomes available to test. The beta software will be available via download. If you elect to receive mailed releases, only major milestone releases (Beta1, Beta 2, etc) will be sent to you.

    Participants can expect access to Windows, Windows Server, the Windows Driver Kit the Platform Software Development Kit as well as Internet Explorer 7 for Windows XP and Windows Server 2003. We may make other software available as well, and it's important to note that some of the above software may not be available immediately after the program gets underway.

    http://anyweb.kicks-ass.net/computers/os/windows/l onghorn/lh5203/install/index.html

    http://anyweb.kicks-ass.net/computers/os/windows/l onghorn/lh5203/post/index.html

    http://xerocool.innereyes.com/general/longhorn_520 3_screenshots.php

    ed2k://|file|lh5203screens.rar|12596567|016AAB080E 47E029C881677C8CE15B56|h=5UIG4BNLHRXSATG6CZWF5WZV5 QR2Y3M2|/

  4. Re:Why will I want to upgrade? by UnrefinedLayman · · Score: 4, Informative

    No, the only difference is not one registry key. This is an old myth that only sloppy computer people propagate.

    http://www.everything2.com/index.pl?node_id=887565 should explain it more clearly for you.

  5. Re:Everything Enabled? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Informative

    Yet how ironic is it to see your own question get modded insightful as well! It doesn't make any more sense this time now, does it?

    Now let's see if this gets modded informative too ;)

  6. Re:Why will I want to upgrade? by StormUP · · Score: 3, Informative

    For one, if you use SCSI, Windows 2000 has a bug where it ignores the write_through flag. Windows XP correctly honors this flag. Some people complain that XP has "poor SCSI performance" because of this, but it is just doing what it is supposed to have done all along -- Namely write the data directly to disk rather than cache(usually to prevent possible data loss or corruption) when the applications ask it not to use the cache. This obviously results in a performance hit, but it is DOING THE RIGHT THING. Sure, in most cases for most users this doesn't matter and most users don't even have SCSI, but this is an important feature for some applications that is BROKEN in Windows 2000.