Longhorn -- a Tough Sell?
So, it's now called Windows Vista... but let's review some history here, shall we?
Longhorn has already survived several major delays, intense scrutiny from the industry and a radical redesign of its features.
Even though it will be five years after Windows XP's debut, Microsoft could still face a tough sell when it releases Windows Vista next year. With past updates, users had clamored for more stability and security, but analysts say people are pretty happy with Windows XP.
"Microsoft for the very first time is going to be faced with the challenge of being the player whose (operating system) is 'good enough'" as is, said Jupiter Research analyst Michael Gartenberg.
The challenge is one Microsoft has tackled for years with its Office software, but it's a relatively new problem for the Windows side of the house.
Of course, a lot of that may have to do with the fact that Microsoft has been very quiet in recent months. Some details about Longhorn have emerged, but they shed only a modest amount of light on what Microsoft will use as the key selling points for its operating system.
Microsoft has previewed two of the key technologies it has planned for Longhorn: its Avalon presentation engine and Indigo, its Web services architecture, to lack-luster response. Indigo is designed to let programs share data more easily, while Avalon should pave the way for programs that are more visually appealing. But most of the software that will take advantage of the technologies is not likely to arrive until sometime after Longhorn.
Even with its longest-ever time between OS releases, Gartenberg said, Microsoft will have to work to build demand for Longhorn.
"I don't hear anyone saying 'I've got to have Longhorn tomorrow,'" said Yankee Group analyst Laura DiDio.
By the time Longhorn ships, Microsoft plans to have a new version of its Internet Explorer browser, though the company said last month that it will make IE 7 available for Windows XP, a break from the company's mantra that browser updates would require an upgrade of the operating system.
AND MORE DETAILS.... BLAH, BLAH, BLAH FROM MS PRESS RELEASES...
Longhorn will definitely include improvements for wireless networking, both Wi-Fi and lower speed cellular networks. A Microsoftrepresentative said last week that simplifying home networking is "a key focus" for Longhorn. A new Network Explorer will show all the PCs and devices that are connected to a network, and the company plans to offer several options for securing a wireless network, something that remains quite difficult for most Windows XP users.
The company is also planning to bring back into the Longhorn client release some elements of its program to help businesses secure their network. The "Network Access Protection" feature, which helps businesses scan and update machines before they add them to a corporate network, has been moved around on Microsoft's roadmap several times. Yet even these things are slipping: most recently, MS took out Microsoft Server 2003 "R2" release, leaving the impression it would not come into Windows until a server version of Longhorn in 2007.
Longhorn has already survived several major delays, intense scrutiny from the industry and a radical redesign of its features.
Even though it will be five years after Windows XP's debut, Microsoft could still face a tough sell when it releases Windows Vista next year. With past updates, users had clamored for more stability and security, but analysts say people are pretty happy with Windows XP.
"Microsoft for the very first time is going to be faced with the challenge of being the player whose (operating system) is 'good enough'" as is, said Jupiter Research analyst Michael Gartenberg.
The challenge is one Microsoft has tackled for years with its Office software, but it's a relatively new problem for the Windows side of the house.
Of course, a lot of that may have to do with the fact that Microsoft has been very quiet in recent months. Some details about Longhorn have emerged, but they shed only a modest amount of light on what Microsoft will use as the key selling points for its operating system.
Microsoft has previewed two of the key technologies it has planned for Longhorn: its Avalon presentation engine and Indigo, its Web services architecture, to lack-luster response. Indigo is designed to let programs share data more easily, while Avalon should pave the way for programs that are more visually appealing. But most of the software that will take advantage of the technologies is not likely to arrive until sometime after Longhorn.
Even with its longest-ever time between OS releases, Gartenberg said, Microsoft will have to work to build demand for Longhorn.
"I don't hear anyone saying 'I've got to have Longhorn tomorrow,'" said Yankee Group analyst Laura DiDio.
By the time Longhorn ships, Microsoft plans to have a new version of its Internet Explorer browser, though the company said last month that it will make IE 7 available for Windows XP, a break from the company's mantra that browser updates would require an upgrade of the operating system.
AND MORE DETAILS.... BLAH, BLAH, BLAH FROM MS PRESS RELEASES...
Longhorn will definitely include improvements for wireless networking, both Wi-Fi and lower speed cellular networks. A Microsoftrepresentative said last week that simplifying home networking is "a key focus" for Longhorn. A new Network Explorer will show all the PCs and devices that are connected to a network, and the company plans to offer several options for securing a wireless network, something that remains quite difficult for most Windows XP users.
The company is also planning to bring back into the Longhorn client release some elements of its program to help businesses secure their network. The "Network Access Protection" feature, which helps businesses scan and update machines before they add them to a corporate network, has been moved around on Microsoft's roadmap several times. Yet even these things are slipping: most recently, MS took out Microsoft Server 2003 "R2" release, leaving the impression it would not come into Windows until a server version of Longhorn in 2007.
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9:53 PM
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