Slashdot Mirror
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."
Reading this makes me want to punch myself in the face with all of the marketing-speak.
Avalon: new opportunities for developing exciting applications while reducing complexity
Indigo: radically simplifies how the next generation of connected systems will be built.
AERO: a new design philosophy that delivers a compelling user experience from the moment users start interacting with the computer to the moment they leave.
Compelling? I don't want my UI to be a driving force or something like that. I want it to be easy and simple. Exciting applications? When was the last time that Microsoft Excel got your blood pumping and you wanted to scream HELL YEA! THIS IS AWESOME!!
I'm happy with XP.
I never upgraded the machine I run Windows on from 2000. Why upgrade to XP when everything I need runs on 2000?
>Why upgrade to XP when everything I need runs on 2000?
I don't think you can "upgrade" from Win2K to XP anyway.
"This Web site describes current aspirations, scenarios, and advancements being considered for the family of future Microsoft Windows client operating system offerings, code-named Longhorn. There is no guarantee, implied or otherwise, concerning final Longhorn release features or attributes. This statement of the Longhorn aspirations was last updated April 25, 2005."
and what do we know of MS marketing hype history?
why do people buy new cars when their old one isnt broken? why did you buy a dvd player when your vcr still worked fine? people want ease-of-use and gimmicks. the middle aged computer noobs and cartuning teens will be able to eat their hearts out! even MORE useless blingbling! YAY! (win2k forever 3)
me and my thinkpad, sittin' in a tree, c-o-d-i-n-g...
They're starting the alpha now-- the beta test doesn't begin until it's on store shelves, and lasts until SP1 (what they SHOULD have shipped as the final product) is released.
So: Non developers are fine with what they have and don't need Longhorn. ..but developers need Longhorn, so that they can develop programs so that the non-developers who don't need Longhorn can use Longhorn?
That makes sense (unfortunately, from Microsoft's perspective, it actually does make sense).
Think of it as "working for MS without getting paid."
the nova sold well in Latin America. Strangely people were able to understand that nova was different from no va.
Because it will be bundled with every new computer they buy. Eventually the Windows XP update source will be shut down so you won't be able to get security patches. You'll either need to upgrade or risk having your machine be easily exploitable.
Oh oh oh!! I have an even better one... Microsoft could deactivate your copy of Windows XP or shut down their Windows XP activation process so you can't re-activate new installations once you upgrade your machine. That would be pretty devious of them and probably get them in trouble with the government again, but we're completely at the whim of Microsoft when it comes to installing XP on new machines (unless you have some corp licensed copy or a cracked copy of course).
You're pretty much the exception to the rule.
If all windows code would still run in win95, then most of *that* would run in wine.
And if half the stuff from back in the dos--> win95 days was written RIGHT (ie, with actual exception checking and stuff) most of that would run fine in wine too.
Sorry.. I've had some programs that were sent with flow meters which were originally written (badly) for dos. And then branded as working with "any version of windows". Yeah, it will, as long as it's not an NT based kernel. Since if it is, you get aroud 15% packet loss from the instrument due to the crap code. It's like 8% in win98, and less than 4% in win95.
And between 0-1% in both wine, boches (as it is in dos). But the gui wont work since the person who wrote the code forgot to exception check.
-=fshalor
Parent is marked as funny, goes to show the level of maturity of the mods here.
I use XP at work, my box is up for about 20 days now, I even installed MSDE (the lite version of SQL Server) withouth having to reboot.
Viruses or spyware? Never had any, but I know when to delete that "cute screensaver", instead of cliking thorough.
People bash MS a bit too much around here, IMHO.
Oh well, karma be dammed.
Because DVDs are better than videos. I don't think that comparison applies in this case. I don't think Longhorn will be offering anything of any value other than increased system requirements (which is only of value to the hardware industry).
It's a deal between Microsoft and the hardware industry: Microsoft makes money on its operating systems, the vendors make money on the hardware, they both profit and everyone else gets arse-raped.
There'll soon be a day when you'll need a gigabyte of RAM to send an e-mail or write a shopping list. And it won't do anything that couldn't be done on a tenth of the requirements.
Developers are lazy these days. Computer power increases so quickly the developers get sloppier and sloppier, making slower and more bloated code. They're like a gas: expanding to fill all available space. If they release an upgrade or a new version of some software, they don't just fix the broken bits and make it easier or faster to use than before, they do some of that, and then throw in some bloated eye candy that doesn't do anything.
This means the user can choose between an old, fast, half-usable version, and a new, slow, more-functional version. They could of course make a new, fast, functional version, but there's no money to be made in that. Glitter and hype sells, functionality doesn't.
You posting this statement here says something about you as well, doesn't it?
I use XP at work, my box is up for about 20 days now, I even installed MSDE (the lite version of SQL Server) withouth having to reboot.
Wow, impressive, a desktop box running without a reboot for 20 days and you didn't even have to reboot it to install some "lite" database system.
A couple of pointers:
1. Real Men don't brag about uptime until it can be measured in years.
2. A Real System is never rebooted.
Viruses or spyware? Never had any, but I know when to delete that "cute screensaver", instead of cliking thorough.
What are viruses and spyware, and what is this screensaver stuff anyway? BTW, the fact that you have to worry about stuff like "cute screensaver" tells a lot about MS's security approach, don't you think?
People bash MS a bit too much around here, IMHO.
Actually MS is not bashed enough for the amount of crap they produce and the headaches they induce, IMHO.
I feel so sig.