Windows Longhorn
Longhorn is Microsoft's code name for the next version of its Windows operating system, to follow on from Windows XP and Windows Server 2003. It was originally expected to ship sometime early in 2006, and include many important new features and technologies. In August 2004 Microsoft announced a change in plan. Some planned features are to be dropped, and release is retargeted for the end of 2006.
Technologies
Microsoft labels the key new technologies as "The Pillars of Longhorn", which are:
- Fundamentals: new developments to the basic structure of the operating system to integrate new concepts including the .NET framework, further support for digital rights management (DRM), an application deployment engine ("ClickOnce"), and the Trustworthy Computing initiative (trusted computing).
- Avalon: a new user interface subsystem and API based on XML, .NET, and vector graphics, which will make use of 3D computer graphics hardware and Direct3D technologies.
- Indigo: a service-oriented messaging system to allow programs to interoperate, as part of the .NET framework.
- WinFX: a new API to allow access to these new features, replacing the current "Win32" API (see Windows API).
Delayed until future release
- WinFS (short for either Windows Future Storage or Windows File System): a combined relational database and filesystem, based on the next version of SQL Server (codenamed Yukon). Working on top of NTFS, it will provide abilities to represent objects and their relationships, rather than just a hierarchy of files and folders. The removal of WinFS from Windows Longhorn was announced in August 2004, and is expected to be released as an update to Longhorn, entering beta stages at about the same time as Longhorn is released.
Features
Additionally, Longhorn will include many other new features, including:
- a completely re-designed user interface, code-named Aero. The new interface is intended to be cleaner and more aesthetic than previous Windows interfaces. The most visible addition to the interface is the sidebar, an area at the side of the screen consisting of tiles which display dynamic information about whatever window is currently in the foreground; this is to some extent an extension of the "system tray" on the Windows task bar.
- a new command-line interface called MSH, and codenamed Monad. It combines the Unix pipes and filters philosophy with that of object-oriented programming.
- full support for the "NX" (No-Execute) feature of processors. This feature, present in AMD's AMD64 architecture, can flag certain parts of memory as containing data instead of executable code, which prevents overflow errors from resulting in arbitrary code execution. This should not be confused with trusted computing facilities provided by a so-called Fritz-chip.
- built-in DVD recording capabilities, including Mt. Rainier support.
- a new installation program that will install Longhorn in about 15 minutes. This is done by copying a partially-installed copy from the CD (as opposed to a complete install on the computer).
System requirements
Graphics requirements are defined in relation to three different desktop experiences.
Aero Glass experience
This graphics mode includes support for 3D graphics, animation and visual special effects that delivers the richest experience possible in Longhorn. Consequently, this graphics mode requires the following:
Although this may appear expensive by today's standards, it is likely that such a configuration will be entry-level or lower by Longhorn's release in 2006-2007.
Aero experience
This graphics mode delivers the minimum hardware acceleration for the Longhorn user experience and is the minimum required for new systems.
Classic experience
This graphics mode is equivalent to the user experience in Windows 2000. In this mode, Longhorn uses software rendering to display graphics instead of a graphics card. If the system running Longhorn does not meet the hardware requirements for Aero or Aero Glass, this mode will be used.
References
- – Version as of April 30, 2004; retrieved June 10, 2004
See Also
