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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."

33 of 400 comments (clear)

  1. Beta begins? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    I didn't realize Microsoft was releasing it to consumers this early.

    1. Re:Beta begins? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

      You should dream about something more realistic, that could actually happen. Like you getting a date, Slashdot without dupe-stories or me spending a day without a computer.

  2. highly anticipated? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    Euhm, highly anticipated?

    What is CowboyNeil smoking?

    1. Re:highly anticipated? by FLAGGR · · Score: 5, Funny

      Highly anticipated by virus writers. Gotta get a head start.

  3. Everything Enabled? by opello · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Have they disabled a lot of stuff like they have in the 'rc' releases of longhorn? Or is all the 'glits' tossed in (visual effects and the like)?

    1. Re:Everything Enabled? by dmayle · · Score: 5, Funny

      Re:Everything Enabled? (Score:5, Informative)

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

      Could it be the same way a question can be moderated funny?

      Note to mods: this joke doesn't work if you don't mod this up funny ;-)

    2. Re:Everything Enabled? by toddestan · · Score: 4, Interesting

      Note to mods: this joke doesn't work if you don't mod this up funny ;-)

      I love these games! I'll take a +5 Interesting please.

  4. Sweet! by ShyGuy91284 · · Score: 5, Funny

    Where's the torrent?

    --
    In undeveloped countries, the consumer controls the market. In capitalist America, the market controls you.
  5. Sounds like a PR firm made the info page here... by powerline22 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    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!!

  6. glits? by DoorFrame · · Score: 4, Funny

    I assume that where you wrote 'glits' you meant to write 'bling'.

  7. At least they added a new feature by noidentity · · Score: 5, Funny

    Let's just hope Microsoft doesn't remove this beta management system by the time Longhorn is released, as has happened to so many other features.

  8. Re:I know I speak for Sladhotters when I say... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    It'll run, but it'll run like Christopher Reeves.

  9. let me explain something about longhorn... by C0vardeAn0nim0 · · Score: 4, Interesting

    here in brasil (and maybe other latin countries like italy too) is said that a man cheated by his wife or girlfriend has "horns". so what makes microsoft think that i'll want "long horns" ???

    --
    What ? Me, worry ?
    1. Re:let me explain something about longhorn... by Glonoinha · · Score: 4, Funny

      Now why I want an OS named after a breed of cattle... I can't answer.

      Maybe the guys writing it worship cows or something?

      --
      Glonoinha the MebiByte Slayer
    2. Re:let me explain something about longhorn... by Jester99 · · Score: 4, Interesting

      It's named after a bar.

      XP was code-named "Whistler," a large ski mountain north of Redmond. The next version of Windows was therefore suposed to be codenamed "Blackcomb" -- the other mountain in the ski area. Except that Blackcomb's feature list got so long, they realized it'd take them five or more years to pull it all off, so they decided to split the more neccessary features into a release that'd come out sooner than Blackcomb. The obvious choice of name for this release is called Longhorn -- the bar that sits between the Whistler and Blackcomb mountains. :)

      So when you think Windows, think beer!

    3. Re:let me explain something about longhorn... by yuriismaster · · Score: 4, Funny

      Kimarhi not have long horn.

      Biran with long horn BREAK Kimarhi's horn.

      Kimarhi will have beta OS, defeat Biran's long horn.

  10. Already got this... by intmainvoid · · Score: 5, Funny

    With all the features dropped recently, can't I just participate in the beta with my copy of XP?

  11. Wrong name by iamdrscience · · Score: 4, Funny

    Longhorn? More like shoehorn, the way they're trying to cram all these new "features" into it.

    With all the visual frosting MS is laying on Longhorn is turning into an episode of "Pimp my OS"

  12. Re:Why will I want to upgrade? by Donny+Smith · · Score: 5, Insightful

    >Why upgrade to XP when everything I need runs on 2000?

    I don't think you can "upgrade" from Win2K to XP anyway.

  13. Bah! This is Microsoft, remember? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    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.

  14. Wow, great! by ratta · · Score: 4, Funny

    How much will i have to pay to try the beta?

    --
    Wondering why i am doing so strange posts? I am trying to get a "+5,Flamebait" or "-1,Insightful" rating.
  15. I can't wait by WormholeFiend · · Score: 5, Funny

    to see which color they picked for the Screen of Death.

  16. 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

  17. Re:Why will I want to upgrade? by FireFury03 · · Score: 4, Funny

    Because the new IE included in Longhorn includes Clippy saying "Hey, something about your grammer isn't right!" when posting to slashdot!

    Clippy: "You look like you're downloading a virus, do you need help with that?"

  18. Re:Why will I want to upgrade? by bsharitt · · Score: 4, Funny

    *<---------------Parent Comment

    *<---------------Your head

  19. Wow. by Kingpin · · Score: 4, Funny


    Quite impressive as XP obviously isn't even out of beta yet.

    --
    Unable to read configuration file '/bigassraid/htdig//conf/14229.conf'
    Geocrawler error message.
  20. Re:I know I speak for Sladhotters when I say... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Christopher Reeve is dead you insensitive clod! ...which I must admit only strengthens your position.

  21. 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|/

  22. trade invitation by elmartinos · · Score: 5, Funny

    Will trade 50 gmail invitations for one longhorn invitation

  23. Re:Why will I want to upgrade? by Koyaanisqatsi · · Score: 5, Insightful

    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.

  24. 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.

  25. Re:Sounds like a PR firm made the info page here.. by ThyPiGuy · · Score: 4, Funny

    With comments like that you can't be taken seriously. If you actually ever sat down and used excel to its full potential you would find that it has some incredible features. I use it everyday, and no, it has never once crashed. And yes, some times I do want to scream, hell yea this is awesome. The Microsoft bashing is getting to be a little excessive. Everyone else doing it doesn't make it cool or right. Get a grip.