According to one Redmond watcher, the next version of the Windows operating system, Longhorn, will be ready for manufacturing in May 2006 and will ship to the public in seven different versions.
Paul Thurrott, who runs the SuperSite for Windows Web site, says the seven editions will each be designed to cater for a different Windows user market.
The seven versions will include the Longhorn Home Edition, Longhorn Premium/Media Center Edition, Longhorn Professional Edition, Longhorn Small Business Edition and Longhorn Mobility/Tablet PC Edition.
It seems Microsoft is also hoping to bookend the user market by aiming for both the very high end and those OS buyers with less to spend.
According to Thurrott, Longhorn will also be available in what Thurrott calls Longhorn Überedition and will offer all the functionality of the Home, Premium, Professional, Small Business and Tablet versions in an all-in-one package.
At the other end of the scale, Redmond will be launching a Starter Edition: a stripped-down, lower-cost version of the operating system. It's a strategy that Gates and co have already been pursuing in several countries with Windows XP.
Microsoft declined to comment on the likelihood of a multiple Longhorn release. A Microsoft spokeswoman said: "We have not announced details regarding the specific versions of Longhorn we will make available."
However, she added that Microsoft will "continue to support the usage scenarios our users require and will support new scenarios as appropriate".
Microsoft currently has Home, Professional, Tablet and Media Center iterations of its OS on the market.
The spokeswoman said no decisions had been taken as to which editions would make it through the gates of Redmond although Thurrott believes it's just names that need to be rubber-stamped.
Talkback
If Thurrot thinks he can escape critisim just because this isnt his board, well think again..... ramble, ramble!!!!!
Won't work. Just will not work. Windows is supposed to be the friend of the low-tech user and having 7 different versions will just confuse everyone.
How about one version that is virus free Microsoft. Still I don't think most people will buy this update (whenever if finally arrives) but will upgrade when purchasing a new beige box PC
Before Microsoft issues any new operating systems why haven't they fix what's already out there, is it that they haven't made enough money with XP? I would like to see things tightened first with XP, close up all the wholes before issuing any new OS's.
Microsoft should give up on the NT series and do what Apple have done.
Take Linux and make something new with a Windows like front end. At the moment I use linux or OSX at every opportunity because I like unix and hate Windows; I would gladly accept a hybrid because I would be able to use unix and its associated security while at the same time getting all the driver support I need and being able to run MS Office, which I prefer to Open Office.