OT- Longhorn

[Thermodyne]

That article is the same crap that has been going around for months. And you guys should know better. If MS is to see a fast return on their investment, they will need a big upgrade response after the initial released. That is were the big profits are, the OEM’s all get deep discounts on the preinstalled systems. Also, they want to maximize the potential market by being as inclusive as they can. You can bet that it will run on any low end system that is being sold by Dell right now, and probably any system that XP will run on. There might be a requirement for a 3D card, but I would expect it to run with out one. Perhaps without all of the eye candy. At the very least, it will run on any system that is still within the four year cooperate life cycle. That’s puts it on sub 2GHz systems that were being sold year before Last.

[Solymr]

Originally posted by Markavians:
I mean, windows hasn't changed much since W95, don't expect 'miracles' in the interface changing.

I think Windows has changed rather alot from the old days of 95. XP is a much greater product then 95 was. Sure XP isn't perfect, but how do you expect it to work on 100% of system flawlessly? For that fact, how can you expect 100% perfect software? Human error always will show through, though Microsoft could probably handle it better.

Personally, the "security" features of Longhorn scare the willies out of me. Being Australian and having a government thats still trying to struggle with the concept of ADSL, I'm not sure what their stance would be in regards to Palladium (sp?). I have to agree in that its all just to keep an eye on what the Users are using and the information we're keeping. I'm guessing Microsoft might even sell such information for a price

I don't trust having someone over my shoulder watching everything I do and look at, in case I might just do something I'm not supposed to do. It's like having my girlfriend watching me chat on irc, just in case a girl tries to chat me up

[Fyron]

Another significant change in Longhorn involves device drivers. In the past, Microsoft allowed customers to use non-signed drivers, which helped compatibility, but caused stability problems. No more: In Longhorn, Users hoping to take advantage of the system's exciting new capabilities will only be able to use signed drivers.

This is extremely disturbing... so now, you won't be able to use drivers from companies that do not pay Microsoft loads of money to get the driver signed... super.

[narf poit chez BOOM]

Why is microsoft allowed to do what the government can't? Or at least, has laws againt...

[David E. Gervais]

Originally posted by aiken:
http://winsupersite.com/longhorn/
The most complete source of news and rumors about Windoze Longhorror, in the meantime.

Thanks for the link, interesting look, but I shudder to think what the loading times will be. I bet the 'loading time' is the real reason they suggest a dual processor 4ghz system as a minimum requirement.

LOL, Oh well, I'll probably stick with XP for another 5 years before I upgrade..

Cheers!

[Baron Munchausen]

The 'special features' are more likely the reason for the huge system specs if this is correct. MS has to justify the need to upgrade, but most people are happy with the functionality of Windows 98. We have reached a 'plateau' of computer functionality (the Apple Macintosh interface, actually. Mac 84 = Windows 95 ) and no new 'revolutionary' improvements seem to be in the wings. So they are resorting to 'bells and whistles' to make Longhorn look like some sort of big advance. Voice recognition (first made a default feature in XP) and the 3D desktop will use MUCH processing power and RAM. A second processor to handle all the fancy toys will no doubt make a big difference with Longhorn.

[Phoenix-D]

Funtionality in interface, yes. Where MS gets is by stopping release of updates. No more bug fixes for those new security holes.

It also means things like USB support (not in Win95), support for more than 512MB of ram (Win98 doesn't do that very well), etc..