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Monad Shell Removed From Vista

hggs writes "According to Stephen Toulouse at Microsoft, because of the possible virus threat that targets Monad the shell will not be included in Windows Vista. CNet is reporting that, even though Monad is not to be included on Vista, it will be included on a major server operating system for servers from Microsoft. Codenamed Longhorn server, that edition is due out by 2007." Update: 08/06 04:45 GMT by Z : As Mr. Toulouse states here, the submission here adds one and one and gets three. Monad hasn't been in Vista for about two months. The CNet article is clarifying a previous report stating that Monad could potentially be the first source of viruses in an OS which incorporated it. The interesting news about Monad in the server edition was obscured by the factually incorrect submission, which at first blush seemed to make sense. Mea Culpa.

47 of 330 comments (clear)

  1. FP by Microlith · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Yet another feature stripped from the next release of Windows.

    I guess microsoft figures that only people who spend several thousand for a computer deserve even moderately capable tools.

    Oh well. More and more reason to not bother upgrading, and gear towards an eventual switch to Linux someday.

    1. Re:FP by Nuclear+Elephant · · Score: 5, Funny

      So that leaves Vista with the following features I guess:

      - Slick 'Vista' wallpaper
      - DRM to protect the wallpaper

      Rock on!

    2. Re:FP by chris_mahan · · Score: 2, Interesting

      Or linux folks. The computer being the hardware without bundled software, of course.

      Actually, the people who end up spending the most are the windows users: $899 for the machine, then spending hours trying to get someone to get them a pirated version of office, then spending hours trying to install it without calling ms, typing 16-25 char strings, then spending hours installing their software fireall and antivirus combo, including getting the 29.99 yearly subscription from the vendor's site, then spending days dealing with popups of all kinds such as "would you like to create a passport account", "this application is trying to connect to the internet", and "get vlagr@ Cheap!". Then, later, they spend countless hours cursing their bad luck at going to one, just one porn site, accidentally mind you, and now their machine is slow as molasses, will crash when trying to open a PDF, and will give them more softcore than a subscription to penthouse mag. Eventually they wil spend countless hours trying to get a geek to come over and remove the spyware, only to be berated for not running linux/osX for countless hours, then getting the news: "your box is hosed, gimme the recovery CD, I'm reformatting".

      As an aside, it is, to be honest, quite a pleasure to see the glaze over their eyes as the realization dawns on then that they are about to have to do everything all over, from scratch.

      Finally, unable to take it any longer, they throw in the towel, and head to best buy, where they are going to spend another $1500 on a P4 that is about 800 times faster than what they need, get the Free* (with mail-in rebate) printer, and get the extended warranty for $220, because, as the salesman says: "you can return it anytime in three years."

      So, who's spending the most time and money on computers now?

      I ask you now, my Fellow Slashdotters, Roots, and Grokkers everywhere: don't let your friends run windows!

      --

      "Piter, too, is dead."

    3. Re:FP by falsified · · Score: 2, Informative
      Insightful? Microsoft isn't using it as an excuse. MSH wasn't ready for release by the time Vista will be. One has nothing to do with the other. Monad's insecurity was to be expected since it's still in alpha or maybe early beta. Therefore, it's not being released.

      As an aside, am I the only person who likes what he sees so far as MSH goes?

      --
      HI, MY NAME IS ISAAC.
  2. Poster Wrong. by AdroitOneX · · Score: 5, Informative

    I RTFA and it does not even imply that MONAD will not be included in Windows Vista because of the virus threat. In fact, MS announced almost two months ago that Mondad will not be included in Windows Vista (then Longhorn).

  3. Oh yeah- that will do a lot of good by Marxist+Hacker+42 · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Remove the capability of the command line for home users, but leave a buggy and insecure shell for servers where hackers can have lots of fun messing up enterprise level websites!

    --
    SJW: a person who perceives an injustice, and while correcting it, commits a greater injustice.
    1. Re:Oh yeah- that will do a lot of good by XorNand · · Score: 2, Insightful

      I dunno. I'd rather have to worry about securing the MS boxes that I admin vs. defending them against DDOS attacks from legions of zombies.

      --
      Entrepreneur : (noun), French for "unemployed"
    2. Re:Oh yeah- that will do a lot of good by diegocgteleline.es · · Score: 2, Insightful

      I don't think monad is buggy. I think that Monad's main problem is that it's too flexible - ie: like perl, python, etc. Just like it's easy to write a virus in a few lines of perl, it should be easier for virus writers to write virus with monad.

      Remember that virus use "generic" tecnology, things that everybody has, IOW generic windows installations. If everybody has a powerful shell script like monad it'll be easier for virus writers to write virus. If it's optional, it will not be so dangerous because virus writers won't write virus for something that is not widespread, and still people who wants it will be happy because they'll be able to install it and use it

    3. Re:Oh yeah- that will do a lot of good by vlad30 · · Score: 3, Funny

      "but leave a buggy and insecure shell for servers where hackers can have lots of fun messing up "

      Job Security!!

      --
      Your'e all thinking it, I just said it for you
  4. because of the threat of viruses by cryptoz · · Score: 3, Funny

    Microsoft has decided to not release Windows Vista at all this year.

    1. Re:because of the threat of viruses by chrono13 · · Score: 2, Funny

      Microsoft announces Monad is insufficient for Vista.

      Later this week they plan to unveil Gonad, the new MSShell.

      A senior Microsoft developer leaked some details of the new Gonad shell "When you start the computer, it boots your Gonad and brings up a MShell". When pressed for further information, he said "Not now, I have a headache".

      --
      You have been eaten by a Hurd of GNU.
    2. Re:because of the threat of viruses by mrchaotica · · Score: 2, Funny

      No, no, no -- Gonad is the Free reimplmentation being developed by the guy that works on GNOME and Mono.

      Incidentally, how do you pronounce "MSShell?" Is it "Michelle" like the Beatles song, "mis-sel" as in ICBM, or "MS Hell" as in what happens when you use Windows?

      --

      "[Regarding the 'cloud,'] ownership was what made America different than Russia." -- Woz

  5. Idea by sneakers563 · · Score: 5, Funny

    You could build a pretty good operating system from all the stuff that's been pulled out out Vista. Maybe Microsoft could take all that extra stuff and come out with a "Platinum" version of Vista; call it "Longhorn" or something.

    1. Re:Idea by mrchaotica · · Score: 5, Funny

      No, I think they'll call it "Blackcomb" and release it sometime between 2013 and 2020.

      It'd be funny, if only I were joking.

      --

      "[Regarding the 'cloud,'] ownership was what made America different than Russia." -- Woz

    2. Re:Idea by sharkey · · Score: 3, Funny

      You guys think you're SOOOOO funny. Just you wait until Cairo is out, then you'll see!

      --

      --
      "Outlook not so good." That magic 8-ball knows everything! I'll ask about Exchange Server next.
  6. We get the point... by ItsJustLilOldMe · · Score: 5, Funny
    "it will be included on a major server operating system for servers

    Welcome to the department of redundancy department...

  7. Dear God MORON... by Manip · · Score: 4, Informative

    Mohad was NOT in Vista before all this sudo-virus junk appeared. It was taken out MONTHS ago! Microsoft have been saying for MONTHS that it will not appear in Vista but WILL appear in Longhorn Server.

    Now some attention seekers claim they created a virus, which is no more powerful than anything you could currently do in VBScript and gets headlines. Now you link to a blog that says "There is no virus threat [TRUE!] and Mohad will not be in Vista [TRUE]" and conclude that A == B?! Dear god you people!

  8. Re:Slide more and more... by sH4RD · · Score: 4, Interesting

    You do realize that many of the features in Longhorn/Vista (most importantly WinFS) were due for Windows NT 3.x? The creators of NT were way before their time, but typical Microsoft screwed everything up. If Windows NT 3.x had the features originally planned, I don't think Windows would nearly suck as much as it does now. Instead they have spent 10 years trying to add the features that were supposed to be there in the first place. Imagine where we could be instead. A world where Microsoft might actually not suck. But instead here we are, wishing Longhorn/Vista had all those nice features that would make our experience with Windows (face it, you can't escape from it all the time) a little nicer. Those "MEGA-AWESOME MUST BUY features" have been delayed so long that I'm sure Microsoft doesn't mind leaving them out for later.

    --
    WASTE - The Secure P2P
  9. Just what we needed by thirty2bit · · Score: 5, Funny

    Quick - somebody find vulnerabilities in the WPA and DRM modules. Bonus if you find buffer overflows in the "make Windows unstable" DLLs.

  10. Windows will never be free of viruses by Gyarados · · Score: 2, Funny

    We're told that yet another feature won't be present in Windows Vista by someone who seems to think that there won't ever be a virus capable of penetrating Vista's "security". These Microsoft guys crack me up!

    ...What do you mean he wasn't joking?

  11. The summary couldn't have been more inaccurate! by xiphoris · · Score: 5, Informative

    A clue should've been the title of the article linked to: "A virus for Windows Vista? Wrong."

    From TFA:
    "First of all, in examining the details of the reports, there is no Windows Vista virus described in them. ...The viruses do not attempt to exploit a software vulnerability and do not encompass a new method of attack."

    If one had read either of the two articles linked, one would realize that the so-called "viruses" are nothing more than malicious scripts. No software hole is exploited; the viruses are no more dangerous than any arbitrary piece of code running on your system.

    They are not viruses; they only have the privileges that a user gives them. They're the same as any other executable file.

    If a stranger sends you an executable, be it a script or a compiled program, and you run it, you're already in trouble. These scripts are nothing special.

    Did the article author even read what he was submitting? The author states, "because of the possible virus threat that targets Monad the shell will not be included in Windows Vista", which could not be more deliberately misleading, and is contracted by both articles he links to!

  12. Re:So what they are saying is... by Metasquares · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Will this do?

  13. I guess they've really castrated it now... by Zocalo · · Score: 2, Interesting
    All of the promised new and potentially interesting "pillars" of Longhorn/Vista have been snipped, and now they have cut the promised wonder-shell from the consumer version too? The only thing left that Vista now seems to offer over XP is a new interface theme and the probabilty that you will also need a new PC in order to meet it's realistic hardware requirements. I could get all of that right now without the hardware upgrade using any of several Windows desktop "enhancement" tools. Oh, and IE7, which will also be available for XP anyway for those who haven't already switched over to Firefox or Opera. Seriously, is there *anything* else in Windows Vista that I might actually want to upgrade for?

    Is this really the best response that Microsoft can come up with at a time when there is so much increased dissatisfaction with their endless upgrade cycle? If it is, then the F/OSS communities should probably increase their efforts to target the corporate desktop, because Microsoft doesn't appear to have anything of substance for several years! I'll bet Steve Jobs is laughing too; he's certainly picked the right time to go through the traumas of switching architecture.

    --
    UNIX? They're not even circumcised! Savages!
  14. Re:Everything must go by peculiarmethod · · Score: 2, Funny

    The version number on the My Computer properties will read as different. Commence celebration.

    --
    ** "It's not my job to stand between the people talking to me, and the ones listening to me." -- Pego the Jerk
  15. Worst. Slashdot summary. Ever. by mcc · · Score: 3, Informative

    Or at least the worst in several years. The blurb says basically the exact opposite of what the link says. May I suggest one of the /. editors add a little "update: the above is wrong in every way" to the end?

  16. An announcement from Fedora by ChiralSoftware · · Score: 4, Funny
    "/bin/sh has been associated with security problems in the Unix world since the early 70s. Most Unix/Linux security situations arise when an unauthorized user gets access to the /bin/sh process. Fedora Core 5, due out in October, will not include this dangerous executable. Instead users will control the system through the advanced Gnome windowing system and will be able to develop object-oriented network-transparent applications in the MONO framework."

    ----------
    mobile search

  17. 10 great windows vista features by gullevek · · Score: 4, Funny

    walked around the park.
    One was WinFS and fell into a hole.

    9 little windows Vista features walked around the park. The new shell slipped and fell into the pool and drowned.

    8 little windows vista features walked around the park. DRM bully came and whacked them all dead.

    No new Windows Vista features were left alive, so Microsoft put some new colors in and everybody bought it.

    --
    "Freiheit ist immer auch die Freiheit des Andersdenkenden" - Rosa Luxemburg, 1871 - 1919
  18. Re:tsk.. tsk.. /. by MightyMartian · · Score: 2, Informative

    The problem here is that NT has lacked a decent shell with scripting capabilities since the very beginning. The joke is that *nix has had them for decades, but in the 21st century, MS still can't do it.

    --
    The world's burning. Moped Jesus spotted on I50. Details at 11.
  19. Re:Ladies and Gentlemen by sheppos · · Score: 2, Funny

    I think that's pretty much what I said, but congratulations on getting modded higher than me :)

  20. If only it was VMS... by mechsoph · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Considering that NT is, theoretically the successor to VMS, it sure is lame.

    Where's our versioning file system? Where's our ironclad clustering? (Someone who's a real VMS geek can probably offer more examples)

    Micrsoft hires Dave Cutler, who wrote VMS, and a bunch of the DEC engineers, has them write a brand spankin' new OS to Rule Them All, and they try to sell some retarded crapheap that doesn't have some of the best features of the '80's.

    Of course, the perfectly sensible reason they're selling a crapheap is that performance mattered more than a secure microkernel architecture (which NT, at one point, supposedly was), and backwards compatability with win32 is the only thing keeping people running to back to MS like a crackhead to his dealer.

    Give me my good 'ol 70's Unix. The '80's died, and the 90's just won't.

    1. Re:If only it was VMS... by ozmanjusri · · Score: 3, Interesting

      Someone who's a real VMS geek can probably offer more examples

      I've been away from VMS too long to call myself a real geek, but what I miss most when I'm using other OSs is the consistency.
      Commands mean what you think and work the way you expect. The Procedure Calling Standard makes coding in different languages a breeze. The versioning file system saved my arse more than once too...
      And of course, there was always EDT..

      Trouble is, most of that sort of stuff is the result of solid design, and can't just be ported over. Adding a clever command shell to Windows is a good step, and from what I've seen, Monad has potential to be a very clever CLI, but it's resting on a system which was never designed to be as solid as VMS.

      I've heard Longhorn/Vista described as the result of a collision between VMS and OSX Tiger, and while there's an element of truth there, I'd say the bits that survived the impact aren't the ones which make VMS so rock solid.

      --
      "I've got more toys than Teruhisa Kitahara."
  21. BOGUS STORY SUBMISSION by bonch · · Score: 5, Informative
    Here, read the linked article yourself. The submission says the reason for Monad's removal is the previous Slashdot story about the proof-of-concept "virus." But the article has no mention of that and merely points out that Monad won't be in Vista, which we knew months ago. The submitter made the connection up:


    A virus for Windows Vista? Wrong.

    Hi everyone, Stephen Toulouse here. There's been some commentary the past couple of days regarding a potential Windows Vista virus and we wanted to weigh in with some details. First of all, in examining the details of the reports, there is no Windows Vista virus described in them. Instead, the reports are regarding potential proof of concept viruses in the form of malicious scripts that are developed to affect a new interactive shell codenamed "Monad", which is currently in early phase of beta testing.

    Now to be clear, these reports pose no risk for Microsoft customers. The viruses do not attempt to exploit a software vulnerability and do not encompass a new method of attack. Furthermore, "Monad" is not widely available for general use. It's a beta, and we do not recommend or support the use of beta software in a production environment. Microsoft continues to analyze the feedback from testers as Monad continues to be developed.

    But most important, "Monad" is not included in the beta release of Windows Vista or in Windows Server 2003 R2.

    Monad will not be included in the final version of Windows Vista and there is no relation between Monad and Windows Vista Beta 1. Monad is being considered for the Windows Operating System platform for the next three to five years. So these potential viruses do not affect Windows Vista or any other version of Windows if "Monad" has not been installed on the system.

    It's hard to predict what type of malicious software criminals might develop to attack future versions of operating systems. But rest assured we're on the case! The MSRC will be here to investigate and provide the guidance to help protect customers no matter what attacks may impact customers.
  22. Wow is the headline WRONG! by bjk4 · · Score: 4, Insightful
    I can't believe the slashdot editors let this submission go through. To quote the author:
    "First of all, in examining the details of the reports, there is no Windows Vista virus described in them."
    "The viruses do not attempt to exploit a software vulnerability and do not encompass a new method of attack."

    "...there is no relation between Monad and Windows Vista Beta 1."
    The author is pretty clear that the reported virii had ZERO effect on the choice to include monad or not.

    Yet somehow the submitter was able to conclude "...because of the possible virus threat that targets Monad the shell will not be included in Windows Vista.". Will wonders ever cease to exist!
  23. Re:If MS starts removing components... by daniel23 · · Score: 2, Funny

    right, but stripped of the command shell, of course...

    --
    605413? Yes, it's a prime.
  24. Re:Slide more and more... by FLAGGR · · Score: 2, Insightful
  25. MOD PARENT UP by Uber+Banker · · Score: 4, Insightful

    The article was factually incorrect, even though it linked to correct articles, cited in the parent post. This 'story' seems no more than a waste of everyone's time, yet the submitter that pointed this out is (presently) modded down to -1.

    Read up: MS isn't 100% bad. They have some good stuff and good policies sometimes. Don't complain about them point blank to improve your ego, you'll be the kid that called wolf too many times.

    1. Re:MOD PARENT UP by killjoe · · Score: 2, Interesting

      "Read up: MS isn't 100% bad. They have some good stuff and good policies sometimes. Don't complain about them point blank to improve your ego, you'll be the kid that called wolf too many times."

      Mmm. Interesting philosophy. I wonder if I can apply to other things... Let me try.

      Jeffrey Dahmer isn't 100% bad. He does have some good qualities and does good things sometimes. Don't complain about him point blank to imrove yoru ego, you'll be the kid that called wolf too many times.

      Hey that works pretty good.

      --
      evil is as evil does
    2. Re:MOD PARENT UP by theendlessnow · · Score: 2, Funny
      Read up: MS isn't 100% bad. They have some good stuff and good policies sometimes. Don't complain about them point blank to improve your ego, you'll be the kid that called wolf too many times.

      I'm glad somebody brought this up. Truth is, not even Microsoft can achieve 100% bad, I believe they only claim to be five 9's bad... which is pretty good when it comes to being bad.

  26. Re:Oh hush up! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    I wish you and your rational-thinking ilk would get the hell off slashdot. You're ruining all our M$ bashing and hot-buttoned emotionalism!

    I think I speak for the majority of slashdot when I say we are here to be told what to think, not to think for ourselves.

  27. In later News by zenst · · Score: 2, Insightful

    It was found that a user thru a careful combination could induce the keyboard to cause the operating system to react in unpredictable ways.

              Latest reports are that all keyboard devices will be prevented from attaching to the new Microsoft operating system for users.

      Server systems which have no need for such a device will still be able to use it, possibly in ways so that easier crafting of shell macro's as long as there not called virus.bat :).

  28. Re:Slide more and more... by sharkey · · Score: 5, Funny
    A world where Microsoft might actually not suck.

    Ahhh, a world where Microsoft makes vacuum cleaners.

    --

    --
    "Outlook not so good." That magic 8-ball knows everything! I'll ask about Exchange Server next.
  29. Leibniz Predicted This by Potor · · Score: 2, Funny
    According to Leibniz, Monads have no windows.

    But now Windows seems less and less likely to have Monad.

    What was MS thinking? Windows and monads just don't mix.

  30. Stephen Toulouse here. by Stepto · · Score: 2, Informative

    Hi,

    Thanks for all those who pointed out I never said what the submission is commenting on. I have submitted a correction to the /. submit story item and hopefully we will see an update to the story soon.

    And as for all the other Windows Vista comments in the thread: Thanks for the feedback, we'll take it under advisement. ;>

    S.

    --
    http://www.stepto.com

  31. Internal memo by khellendros1984 · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Microsoft PHB: So, who really cares about this feature? Power users? Bleh, they're all hackers anyhow. Not worth fixing, easier to just pull the feature. NEXT QUESTION!

    --
    It is pitch black. You are likely to be eaten by a grue.
  32. Any bets on what goes out next..... by theGeekDude · · Score: 2, Insightful

    First WinFS, now Monad. Anyone willing to bet on what goes out next before Vista is released?

    --
    Dont waste you time reading stupid sigs like this.
  33. So wth is left now? by jsc19702 · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Ok we've been seen the reverse-feature creep so MS can release this late next year. At this point there sounds like there is little difference between XP and Vista besides cosmetics. Funny thing is you know the damm DRM will make the cut. Bastards...

  34. Slashdot sensationalism overflow recently. by AnalogBoy · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Slashdot has always been anti-microsoft, and in most cases zealously so, but this is just taking it too far. Many valid points are made here, but if the community wants to keep its self-respect, it makes no sense to allow blatantly inflammatory and untrue stories to come across the front page like this. I am a beta tester for Monad. it is nothing special - wmic + cmd + more scripting abilities. msh is not ready for prime time. I can't honestly believe that we're now bashing microsoft in the damned if they do damned if they don't way. They don't release it because it's not ready - the bastards can't write a program! They do release it and it's not up to snuff. Damn them! They released more faulty software!

    I understand the nature of slashdot. I used to be one of the linux zealots prowling the area. I read the front page and, very rarely, the articles. Not quite sure what made me do it this time. But letting disinformation such as this leak to the front page scares me, when useful stories from people are ignored all the time.