Is Microsoft playing Russian Roulette with Longhorn?
Monday, June 27, 2005 by Frogboy | Discussion: WinCustomize News
Softpedia has an interesting article about Longhorn. Is Microsoft's Longhorn design proactive or reactive? That is, is the development of Longhorn based on Microsoft's own vision or is it playing "me too" to Google and Apple? And as a result, is Microsoft gambling the future of Windows by seemingly hastily refocusing on these feature?
Personally, I think Microsoft has more than enough talent on hand to do what needs to be done. Windows XP is a very solid OS, and SP2 makes it quite secure in the bigger scheme of things. So what "problem" does Longhorn really need to solve? I can think of 3 basic problems in Windows XP that Longhorn needs to address:
1) Search. It's ridiculously time consuming to find stuff in Windows XP.
2) Display. Monitor resolution is being held back by the OS. I want to be able to run at 2800x1600 someday but what good would that do me? I wouldn't be able to see anything on Windows XP, it would be tiny. I want to be able to run at very high resolutions and have my GUI, text, icons, scale appropriately.
3) Security. SP2 does a pretty good job overall on tightening things up. But sometimes I feel like it's a bit hacked. I just want my network stuff secure. I want to know I can surf the net and read my email without worrying that someone's installed a key-logger on my machine or something.
I think Microsoft can deliver on all 3 items. But I too worry that Microsoft's desires to compete a little bit with everyone may distract it from these core things. RSS integration? Who cares. Fancier Media Player? Whatever.
Reply #2 Tuesday, June 28, 2005 9:17 AM
Reply #3 Tuesday, June 28, 2005 10:35 AM
Reply #4 Tuesday, June 28, 2005 6:23 PM
Not to mention everytime Longhorn gets delayed Linux grows stronger.
Reply #5 Tuesday, June 28, 2005 9:24 PM
Who cares about RSS integration? LOL Why should an OS include a web browser. RSS-type information is the new web. The exact kind of thing that Stardock creates products to do....show information in a creative way without going to a browser and manually typing a web address.
Reply #6 Wednesday, June 29, 2005 8:34 PM
Reply #7 Wednesday, June 29, 2005 8:52 PM
| And if longhorn does, then heck why not upgrade the OS???!? |
Probably because like every other MS OS it will have holes in the code and need to be patched...
Reply #8 Wednesday, June 29, 2005 11:58 PM
the government doesnt do anything
case closed
They dont really have to please anyone.
What microsoft is really going to do with longhorn is create some new bs API and it will somehow become the new standard which is ultimately worse than whats already out, then use that to make it harder for everyone else.
Reply #9 Thursday, June 30, 2005 3:49 AM
| Probably because like every other MS OS it will have holes in the code and need to be patched... |
As opposed to all those other OS that never need patched.
Reply #10 Thursday, June 30, 2005 6:57 AM
Personally I reckon why not add new WMP, build in RSS, 3D GUI add as many goodies as they can. Remove old and unused features like FAX support, remote desktop and Im sure many more, at least on the Home Edition, maybe keep them in PRO.
I like XP, it works, yeah maybe install firefox, thunderbird, and an office suite, and you now have a good system if you wish then add object desktop, and any other 'personal' software (design, games, development). Longhorn will have to have lots of good features (like a new file system, oh yeah that’s not in it now!
) if old billy boy want me to 'buy/use' 
it.
Come on, make longhorn worthwhile we've waited long enough for it! 
I'm not a huge microsoft fan but be real linux isn’t friendly enough and not everyone wants to buy a mac to use OSX 
Please login to comment and/or vote for this skin.
Welcome Guest! Please take the time to register with us.
There are many great features available to you once you register, including:
- Richer content, access to many features that are disabled for guests like commenting on the forums and downloading skins.
- Access to a great community, with a massive database of many, many areas of interest.
- Access to contests & subscription offers like exclusive emails.
- It's simple, and FREE!
Reply #1 Tuesday, June 28, 2005 1:01 AM
i really agree for display as i use 1920x1200 resolution on my screen.
haven't had any problems with security