Introduction: When Microsoft announced that the next generation of Windows will be released in 2006, it will shocked the industry again when it comes with the original important component Winfs (Window Future Storage). I have discussed this change with Microsoft, now I present these important information as quickly as possible. However, I also hope to update this article in the future. So please continue to pay attention. At the same time, I will update my Longhorn FAQ on this weekend.
In 2004, it was not smooth for Longhron. As the release date is postponed, Longhorn has become a computeous theme of many computer column writers. Many of them have even compared to Object-oriented operating system engineering Cairo in the mid-1990s. This is not enough, just like Cairo, Longhorn will include technologies such as Kitchen Sink. Clearly, you must give it in Longhorn.
Just like three years ago, I wrote in the evaluation of Windows 2000 development, Microsoft's handling of small stage projects is more excellent. I wrote this "I think, if there is an experience worth learning here, it is the time for the giant operating system. Although Windows 2000 is a great product, its development cycle and its complexity are very good. It's hard to accept. After Microsoft needs to develop a stable basis, then add new features on the basis of the previous year. For example, Microsoft should develop an Active Directory and Intelligent Mirror (IntelliMirror), ready to be prepared Release these products. Let users think all new features and changes in Windows 2000 are really required. "Now use" longhorn "to replace" Windows 2000 ", with" Avalon and Indigo "replace" Active Directory and intellimirror, you understand what I mean. Longhorn is really big.
But now this is no longer like this. On Friday afternoon (August 27, 2004), Microsoft revealed some information for many industries: Microsoft will slim in Longhorn, and publish some key technologies from this everyone. Even this notice is so concise, we can still see some signs of development of Microsoft:
Never ship. No Microsoft products have been postponed as many times like Longhorn, and its release date has been postponed in 2004 in 2005, and then postponed to 2006 or even longer, some rumors said that they will postpone 2007. Longhorn brought excitement to users to cool down, and became a tauntable object.
Office 12. The original plan is to experience dramatic changes since the fall of last year with the Longhorn client as Longhorn-Special release. The earliest plan is that Office 12 can only run on Longhorn. Later, Microsoft said that in order to facilitate more users, Office 12 will support Longhorn and Windows XP. Now, Microsoft plans to release Office 12 before Longhorn.
Also true, the LONGHORN server version. The result of this problem is completely dependent on you, some people say that Longhorn server version will be released to the customer a few years later, and some people say that will be released with Longhorn's desktop version. This summer, I learned that the Longhorn server version will be listed about 9 months after the LongHorn client is released. This schedule still appeases under the new plan.
Decomposition of the whole. Since last fall, Microsoft has been promoting Longhorn's three core pillars, WinFS storage engines, Avalon display layers, and Indigo network service platforms. Microsoft indicates that these features are unsearous core technologies in Longhorn. But after a series of meetings of this month Microsoft Academy, I found that Indigo almost completely and quietly added XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) and Windows Server 2003. This news is very surprised, it has proved that Microsoft's previous arguments about Longhorn is not true. I am thinking, do you still have the same change like this in the future? Go back to the starting point. During some of the meetings mentioned above, I found that I have been developing Longhorn's core Windows team gave up their previous work results and has started their work, and they now use Windows XP SP2 code (former Longhorn The version is utilized is based on Windows Server 2003 code). All of this shows that Longhorn may be further extended unless a miracle.
In fact, some dramatic things have happened.
Change is good
These changes occurred in accordance with the Microsoft Products Manager Greg Sullivan, because an internal article on reviewing Longhorn history and looking forward to its future. "Basically, put down Windows XP SP2 does not say, this is the timing of inventory and evaluation of Longhorn Engineering and evaluate the most logical," he told me. "We need to build a successful order, take a look at the position we are. As a company, we know a lot from SP2, as well as the discussion of our partners, and communication on PDC and developers. We are very good to do what they look forward to. We have drawn a ambitious plan map on the PDC, and have undoubtedly embark on the track of the ultimate delivery. No matter what the changes have occurred, we The goal will eventually reach. "
Here is the changed content.
New Longhorn Delivery Guide
Microsoft said that Longhorn will be delivered in 2006. But don't think that it means later in 2006: Their Longhorn will be "Broadly Available" in 2006. That is to say that Longhorn will be listed earlier in 2006, not in the end of the year. "Make us specify the final release date," Sullivan told me, "That will be what we have never done. We have promulgated some Beta version guides, but not the final version. Clarification of our route map Especially the business users are very helpful. We use 'Broadly Available' meaning what our goal is in the first half of 2006, and expects to be in the mid-2006. Such clarification is very good. "
Put the important components of Longhorn into Windows XP and Windows Server 2003
Since last year's PDC, developers and independent software developers (ISV) began to make requests to Microsoft to deregular key technologies in Longhorn into Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 so that they can be awardable for a broader user group. Microsoft accepted these requests and adds the Avalon display layer and Indigo network service architecture, and the appropriate WinFX developer library to XP and 2003. These products are also joined when the Longhorn is released.
"We received a strong feedback on Winfx and other components," Sullivan said to me. "This is a brand new platform. We will provide Avalon and Indigo to Windows XP and Windows Server 2003. That is a significant thing. Don't wait for Longhorn deployment, developers can use these APIs (application interface ) Aiming in a hundred tens of thousands of PC. This is definitely a good news. "He simultaneously eliminates a misunderstanding: adding Avalon to Windows XP does not mean that the UP user interface will appear in XP. That is incorrect. Avalon is a display layer that provides rich multimedia experience and strong display technology. But Windows XP looks Windows XP after installing Avalon. These means XP users can only enjoy Avalon-based programs and services. To get the User interface of Longhorn, you have to upgrade to Longhorn.
Longhorn will not include Winfs when it is initially released
There is a bad news that the Winfs storage engine that is fried very hot will not be included within Longhorn. But Sullivan quickly clarified a misunderstanding, which is about WinFS and its practical effect. "Longhorn will still bring a very rich search experience," Sullivan said. "They are incorrect with local search. They are components of different platforms. So local search is still available, and we will pay a very attractive full text search tool in Longhorn to users, and new appearance For these appearances such as 'finding my item'. But it doesn't have depth integration nor giving up the platform using the API. However, there is no difference in the end users. We will provide a user in Longhorn. Very attractive built-in local search tool. "
When Longhorn is released, Winfs will be released in beta, and will also load the Longhorn client and the Longhorn server side at the same time, but the following will wait until 2007. The extended period of this year actually answered the key user request, because the previous paragraph about WinFS will release the public with the LONGHORN server version. Now, Microsoft clearly tells us that Winfs is key components in Longhorn. By the way, the existing Longhorn users will get it free of Winfs free, although it has not officially announced that it will give it to the customer.
In addition, unlike Avalon and Indigo, WinFS will not join Windows XP and 2003, respectively. This is a product that is dedicated to the Longhorn era.
So what is the things in LONGHORN?
Amless a single email for all full-time employees, Jim Allchin, Vice President of Microsoft, said the company's customers "appreciate our imagination", but they want to be delivered to themselves as soon as possible. He said that Microsoft will deliver the following as the user in 2006:
The highest quality of the highest quality in the operating system has been released, including the fast desktop search tool, and the latest, most intuitive file organization mode based on the security leap of Windows XP SP2, such as attacking customers from attacks, viruses And Malware's well-hazardous new technologies flexible and powerful tools can reduce consumption in enterprise users, including image creation, editing, and installation technology; there are more improved improvements in reliability for customers. Including sound diagnostic architectures for rapid detection, analysis, and repair issues, as well as new backup tools for data security, let developers excited to enrich API [Application Programming Interfaces]
"We promise to broaden the availability of Longhorn client in 2006 and broaden the API assembly to emphasize our high-asgency of Windows platforms. We also desire to deliver high quality innovation products as required by our users and developers." He Say. "We will not take shortcuts in the superiority of the product. Our rich imagination is a whole; the changes we publish plan will enable users to enjoy our phenomenon early." New schedule
Therefore, now Longhorn has a new schedule. Sullivan told me that Microsoft did not release more pre-alpha and alpha versions. Instead, Beta 1 will be the next milestone. But not this year, but on the 2005 PDC. By early 2006, Longhorn will arrive at the Release Candidate phase and is likely to be released in 2006. "The acceleration of delivery and the extensive distribution of Longhorn technology should be seen as a good news," Sullivan summarizes. Now, because of this clearest schedule, we can make precise planning in advance.
in conclusion
I include Microsoft to have enough time to doubt these revised plans, but on the development of this product, this new plan is undoubtedly very meaningful. Because of a large number of senior users and the reason for techniciary, Microsoft's Longhorn program has been greatly weakened, even if it is a good reason. But I think it should be an important fact: Longhorn will still be a major Windows release, whether it is the client or server side. Recently, Mac OS X and Linux improvements are difficult to shake XP's leadership in technology and usability. When longhorn is released, it will still stand on the top peak of PC. Description White Point, even if there is no Kitchen Sink, Longhorn is still a big point of operation of operating system technology.
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--Paul thurrott updated 8 August 2004, 2004
