Is Microsoft playing Russian Roulette with Longhorn?

http://news.softpedia.com/news/Microsoft-Plays-Russian-Roulette-with-Longhorn-3742.shtml
from WinCustomize Forums

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.

6,913 views 10 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top
i keep order with files on my computer so i know where they are so i don't really use search - but it really is slow.

i really agree for display as i use 1920x1200 resolution on my screen.

haven't had any problems with security
Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I read through the article. What a bunch of crap! Talking about knowing nothing and making a story out of it. It sticks of frustration. The rhetoric is pretty much subjective. Why don't folks wait till Beta 1 for God's sakes?
ObjectDock - Access shortcuts and frequently used applications from an animated dock.
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I don't really care about search, and feel that security is already reasonable, provided one exercises caution. However, I do agree with #2. Even on my 1600x1200 display on my 20" monitor, I've encountered this problem.

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Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Is Microsoft playing Russian Roulette with Longhorn? - YEP. Everytime they say a feature is going to be in Longhorn then they axe it then they are shooting themslves in the foot.

Not to mention everytime Longhorn gets delayed Linux grows stronger.
Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top
What a horribly short sighted article.

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 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Hey, i totally agree wid Frogboy ... Microsoft is just trying to make sure it's not left behind ... oh, but longhorn is welcome, if it can sport better GUI design! When XP came out, it sold becuz it had a very neat creative, design to it ... And if longhorn does, then heck why not upgrade the OS???!?
Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top
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 from WinCustomize Forums Top
microsoft has a monopoly
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 from WinCustomize Forums Top
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.

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Reply #10 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I for one, wont spend out on a new OS (and probably new hardware) just so I can search faster (which I don’t use, I just organize my files into folders, family photos, friends photos, etc, etc). Or buy a new bigger monitor just so I can take advantage the facility that means I can. Or just so that I don’t have to buy a 3rd party security suite (no doubt tho MS will sell subscription service for there inbuilt security suite).
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