LongHorn
Projected Release Date: late 2006
Projected Beta 1: July 2005
Replaces: Windows XP Professional, and Home (Not 2003 Server)
System Requirements: 512 Meg of RAM, modern pentium 4 (or amd equivalent), Direct X 9.0 graphics card
Gui Features:
- Aero interface - transparent windows, a built-in buddy list, and a dockable
task pane. - Avalon - new gui api/features avalon may be backported to xp.
desktop composter - get rid of whiting out screens
high definition support - ability to enlarge legacy apps.
File system/search features
winfs cut from release, there is still new file metadata
search web sites you have visited (already available in google desktop search)
Visualize Documents - see first page of documents, etc. similar to thumbnail view for images in xp.
More file meta data - editable file properties @ bottom of screen in windows explorer
virtual folders w/ dynamic views based on criteria like metadata (similar to features (smart play lists) found in itunes.)
New Save File Dialog to allow for meta-data
LUA (Least-Privilege User Account)
run as standard user(non-admin)/prompt for admin features
already a feature in osx and linux
secure start up. sort of like tripwire? prevents bypassing os with boot disk
etc?
No Execute (NX) security technology in newer AMD and Intel processors.
prevents buffer overruns by distinguishing data from executable instructions
Metro - new default format for print spool. (attempting to replace pdf format)
"My Documents" changed to Documents
mobility - (easier to switch to different ip setups?)
hotpatch without rebooting
black box recorder - similar to dr watson
improved boot performance.
run text box on start menu
Dropped/Delayed/Scaled Back Features
WinFS - Sql Server database will form basis of new file system.
Palladium/Next Generation Secure Computing Base(NGSCB)/Trustworthy Computing
optional feature, must be supported by processor (Intel/AMD).
contains drm features.
Developer perspective:
Avalon:
WinFX (pronounced "Win Effects") - replace win32 api.
winfx is a managed .net library
Xaml - XAML is Longhorn's default language for user interface programming.
xml based UI language.
(eXtensible Application Markup Language, and pronounced "Zammel")
XAML is designed to integrate directly with WinFX.
Text Box in avalon/winfx/xaml
MSAvalon.Windows.Controls.Text
Indigo:
New web service api will replace asmx, .net remoting, etc.
This information is largely taken from Bill Gates Keynote from WinHEC 2005
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