http://download.microsoft.com/download/a/2/f/a2fc47d2-8bdf-4977-8364-1f38b893dba5/lharch_pdc2003.png
How many words this picture is worth in terms of discussing Microsoft's next-generation operating system may be debatable, but if you compare this with the standard UI/Kernel diagrams published for W2K, the complexity of the new OS is enough to demand padding on your jaw, to avoid bruises as it drops. There is a lot more to this new OS [presuming that what is bruited about now in fact comes to pass, about which there is more than a little doubt] compared to previous 32-bit Windows editions.
An important component of all this is the new "Aero" user interface, about which a cornucopia of articles can be viewed here:
http://msdn.microsoft.com/longhorn/understanding/ux/
The set of communications technologies for building and running the Longhorn communictions infrastructure is described here:
http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/dnlong/html/indigofaq1.asp
While the only appropriate colour I could render my opinions about the Next Generation Secure Computing Base would be incandescent purple, a point worth hoisting aboard, contrary to rumours, is that you won't have to have or use it:
which is fine by me -- I will give up a little security to gain a little liberty.
One last note: the hardware demands for Longhorn are somewhat steep, though not out of line with the direction computer developments are taking. Were I to be buying systems with an eye to installing Longhorn in the future, I think the extra dollars involved in specifying compatible machines now would be very well invested indeed.
Microsoft knows it faces some uphill battles -- but it does seem to be making its next-generation OS fatally attractive.
Posted by jho at December 8, 2003 09:58 PM