ExtremeTech Delves Into Longhorn

[Jason Dunn]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,1558,1588159,00.asp?kc=ETRSS02129TX1K0000532' target='_blank'>http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,1558,1588159,00.asp?kc=ETRSS02129TX1K0000532</a><br /><br /></div>"We've been watching the Longhorn development cycle for several years now. Microsoft is attempting its most ambitious operating system project in the company's history, and it seems to be an ever-receding target. We took a look at a very early alpha that was released at the Windows Professional Developer's Conference last fall. At that point in time, the OS still seemed like a collection of disparate parts. The WinFS file system felt like it was added in as an afterthought. Also missing in action was the intriguing 3D user interface, dubbed "Aero," which is built on Microsoft's Avalon API framework. <br /> <br /><img src="http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/images/longhorn-windows.jpg" /> <br /><br />The new 4072 build released at WinHEC appeared a bit more coherent, though it still feels like a collection of parts more than a coherent whole. Still, the parts now seem to fit together better. WinFS seems to be more integrated. But the real gem lay deep inside..."<br /><br />Remember those Longhorn features I talked about that will require 3D hardware acceleration? Pictured above is one of them. :-) The rest of this article is a little quirky - they seem to be surprised that they're finding rough edges and sub-par performance. Uh, guys? It's BETA software that's still well over a year away from being code-complete (possibly longer).

[Kent Pribbernow]

Bear in mind this is not what the finished product will look like. With all due respect to Mac and Linux fans I'm getting sick or reading uninformed rants from platform zealots about how ugly the Longhorn UI is. When looking at this and future builds of Longhorn, you should ignore the overall look and feel because this will scarcely resemble the final release.

Remember what Whistler (XP) looked like during the Alpha and Beta stages of its development?

[Suhit Gupta]

Eh, there are still a couple of years until we see this go gold, it will all work out :).

Suhit

[Steve]

Microsoft faced huge competition with OS ten attracting new users to the apple side of computers. I have a good feeling about Longhorn, because I think microsoft realizes that they have to pump out the best OS the world has seen since XP and OS ten. And... Why wouldn't they? If they screw up, it won't take long at all for them to lose significant market share.

I think we can expect Longhorn to be incredible, even innovative. What we see now is impressive, in my opinion, but I think we'll see even better results in the final release. I'm really looking forward to it. (And skinning it :D )

[Mojo Jojo]

Man that thing looks ugly! (Joking, just joking)

I would rather they spend more time in making it secure and stable first. The graphics almost always come at the end when the object is feature complete. In addition the user interface is the 'first-contact' with an audience and makes the strongest impression, if the graphics were out now they would lose a lot of steam in the 'new/cool' category.

The 'expose' feature is interesting on many levels. Egg or Chicken? :)

[James Fee]

Eh, there are still a couple of years until we see this go gold, it will all work out :).
Well that is just it. How many "changes" have we heard about Longhorn in the past 3 months. Too many to count.

I think we can be sure it has a Start Button, a My Documents Folder and the MSN logo everywhere. 8)

[bryhawks]

Um, guys? It's not even ALPHA yet, let alone beta! Let's have some slack, here. I can't wait to see the new UI - well, actually, I can wait, 'cause I need to, but the longer we wait, the better it will be (fingers crossed behind back).