See Longhorn, don't show Longhorn

Microsoft asks sites not to show LH screenshots..

http://www.windowsitpro.com/Articles/Index.cfm?ArticleID=46188
from WinCustomize Forums

Microsoft is showing off Longhorn this week at WinHec. But they're asking users to not show screenshots of Build 5048 in screenshots on websites. Our friends at Neowin and other sites have been asked by Microsoft not to show such screenshots (the EULA for 5048 indicates that you won't put up screenshots).

So what's the deal? Well there's a lot of speculation. Lockergnome's Chris Prillo put it bluntly - "It looks like ass." as the reasoning MS doesn't want it out there.  5048 doesn't have the DWM enabled by default and when it is enabled, it's quite pokey, even on good hardware right now.  Bear in mind, this is pre-beta stuff. 

15,772 views 28 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Even Paul Thurrott was asked to removed his screenshots. He has however refused so far to do so.
Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Did it really take them that long to make this? Most of the UI's on Windowcustomize are better and more -usable and consistent- than that. Oh no...hope someone doesn't port this Longhorn theme to Windowblinds, and make...no money off of it. And the appearance of new, XP, and _Windows 3.11_ icons is disturbing. Particularly because it shows they're not building this thing "from the ground up".
CursorFX - Customize your Windows cursor
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Well, if I had to guess; I would think that there is aspects of the screenshots that Microsoft is trying to make proprietary.
Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top
And the appearance of new, XP, and _Windows 3.11_ icons is disturbing.

Don't expect any of the GUI graphics you see from these pre beta version to actually be in the release.

And the appearance of new, XP, and _Windows 3.11_ icons is disturbing. Particularly because it shows they're not building this thing "from the ground up".

Making a new OS like Longhorn by writing everything again would be insane. Why reinvent the wheel?
Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Making a new OS like Longhorn by writing everything again would be insane. Why reinvent the wheel?


Well im an anti M$ myself so heres what i say.

"If the wheel was flat to begin with, putting another flat on the rim wont solve your problem"
Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Well im an anti M$ myself so heres what i say.

It's eternally bemusing to wonder if that's the case how is it this comment is on Wincustomize.com?

Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Wow what a disappointment alright. I am so upset that it has taken so long for this product, to be just so-so to say the least. That is why I use Firefox, at least they improve at a regular basis a solid well performing product, and not just another " make over "
Reply #9 from WinCustomize Forums Top
It's eternally bemusing to wonder if that's the case how is it this comment is on Wincustomize.com?


I dont know Jafo, Eternal is a real, real long time, I am bored at wondering about it already..LoL

Good point by the way!

Zero.
Reply #10 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Not entirely surprising- Apple jealously guards its secrets with lawsuits. At least MS has simply made a request.

Another surprise, MS permitted screenshots of the non-revolution that is the "revolutionary" Longhorn. Would have benefited them to wait to release peaks until they actually had something.
Reply #11 from WinCustomize Forums Top
It's eternally bemusing to wonder if that's the case how is it this comment is on Wincustomize.com?


Well, it could be that precisely BECAUSE somebody doesn't like the way the OS works or looks that he would want to customize it.
Reply #12 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Patric....it's the 'anti M$' sentiment I was piqued by....if MS is so disliked there's always Propeller-head Linux and various cat-flavoured Apples....
Reply #14 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Well, it could be that precisely BECAUSE somebody doesn't like the way the OS works or looks that he would want to customize it.

But changing the layout of the GUI won't have any effect of the inner working which make up for most of the OS... Basicly any OS these days can have their GUI changed.
Reply #15 from WinCustomize Forums Top
though it wouldn't make real sense, maybe they at MS don't wan't us folks to get prejudiced against what Longhorn's final build might look like? because most changes made up to build 5048 were affecting internal OS functionality like kernel, while not flashing blatant changes in cosmetics...
Reply #16 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Normally I am one of the early adopters of the Latest and greatest Beta from Redmond, this time however I have taken a pass. I did install the first alpha of LongHorn and wasn't impressed. Most of the obvious stuff was and seems to be able to be duplicated, by DesktopX and other Programs. WindowBlinds gives a nicer and smoother UI, with choices from very talented people that also get a bang out of sharing with their peers or any UI Nut that happens round the bend. Windows XP up until SP2 was and still remains a fairly nice OS. Reletivly stable, has all the Drivers I could want and gives me less to support around the house and in my family, than other previous MS incarnations. From my one install of LH, it struck me and bloatware, with hints of vapourware thrown if for good measure. I am not a MS Basher. Heck I owe my livelyhood to the great Juggernaut called Microsoft, as do alot of the (ahem) bashers. I think you can compare that to the Kevin Bacon 7 steps away phaenomenon.

In all I think MS is playing its' keep the great press machine rolling game, any press is good press. I do think they actually thought they were doing this to protect something that shouldn't or possibly might have been viewable, albeit inadvertantly or unintentionally. On the other hand it might have been that they didn't like the bad press, and was doing an end run around the press, by this stratagy. Look how effective the litigation, and proprietary (trade secret) card has been so far in todays climate.
Reply #17 from WinCustomize Forums Top
And yet there are 2 news items on this site showing 5048 screenshots (?)
Reply #18 from WinCustomize Forums Top
werewolf ...they're linked, not hosted...
Reply #19 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Longhorn Developer Preview (5048) Screenshot Gallery 1

Removed at Microsoft's request.

--Paul Thurrott
April 25, 2005

Reply #20 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Where the link now goes...
Reply #21 from WinCustomize Forums Top
yeah, linked...Wasn't complaining or anything, just curious. Thanks Jafo.
Reply #22 from WinCustomize Forums Top
just went far far high from my mind. Trying to understand what MS wants????
Reply #23 from WinCustomize Forums Top
obviously few people have actually read anything about what is going on with the whole screenshot "debacle". MS claims, which makes perfect sense if you have any idea about the patent system, is that in the 5048 build there are parts of the OS they are still applying patents for. to cover their butt legally, they can't have anyone post screenshots that show off what they're working on. MS is a large corporation and the larger the company, usually, the longer it takes for patents to be passed. whereas a small company/single person could make something derivitive and get it passed through faster since they have less legal issues to deal with since they are more than likely not a world company. everyone wants to go after MS, for whatever reason, and they are just trying to cover their collective bases.

think of this as the car industry does. long before any photos are shown of the new car models, they drive test their machines with car-"bras" hiding everything cosmetic, except for the body shape. if any of you have seen any of the field tests, speed tests, etc. that car makers do, then you would know what I might be referring to. unfortunately I don't have any photos to link to that show what I'm talking about.

keeping screenshots off of the web isn't hurting anyone.

I just find it funny that alot of people (mostly on neoweenie) that judge an entire new OS based on it's GUI, which has yet to be finalized. sort've like judging a skin by it's screenshot and not using it. or we could always use the old stand-by line of "don't judge a book by it's cover."
Reply #24 from WinCustomize Forums Top
think of this as the car industry does. long before any photos are shown of the new car models, they drive test their machines with car-"bras" hiding everything cosmetic, except for the body shape. if any of you have seen any of the field tests, speed tests, etc. that car makers do, then you would know what I might be referring to. unfortunately I don't have any photos to link to that show what I'm talking about.


Yes, there was something on the news in Norway not too long ago when a photographer presented a photo of a Mercedes that had the bonnet covered up when they where testdriving it
Reply #25 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Perception is reality.  Longhorn looking "like ass" at a trade show reflects badly on the OS.

If quality was the only issue that mattered, we'd be using OS/2 today.