As a result, the decision to "carefully extract" the three, much-hyped pillars "leaves Longhorn on shaky foundations and Microsoft will have to muster all of its marketing smarts to highlight the benefits of the under-hyped operating system fundamentals such as security and management capabilities".
Jump likewise feels that the removal of WinFS in particular means that the client version of Longhorn at least is unlikely to be as "revolutionary" a release as first expected.
"WinFS was very compelling, but Longhorn is still changing every six months so it's a bit early to say whether it will be very different to XP. We'll just have to wait and see what's included, but it appears to be just another Windows OS that's more of an evolution than was originally planned," she says.
Mark Quirk, head of technology at Microsoft's developer and platform group, acknowledges that making Avalon and Indigo available for Windows XP SP2 and Windows Server 2003 SP1 means that "the core of Longhorn is an evolution of where we are today".
"We do see the usability and productivity characteristics of Longhorn as more revolutionary, however. We know computers are still hard to use and manage and we expect Longhorn to deliver major improvements here," he adds.
While Quirk refuses to be drawn on specific functionality, saying that Microsoft doesn't "want to give the game away too early", he does hint that more will be revealed when the vendor ships the first Longhorn beta, which is expected some time this summer.
He also indicates that the supplier's key marketing messages now relate to increased reliability, security, and usability, which, he claims, will result in higher levels of end user productivity and "empowerment".
Another key catchphrase, "ease of deployment", will also be highlighted. "We're doing a lot of work on deployment both for new customers and upgrades. We think it's one of the most fundamental areas to address and we'll have new facilities in Longhorn to make it easier to upgrade," Quirk says.
Talkback
You asked, so I'll answer...
"NO" !
Microsoft products are always overhyped.
I still use Windows 98/NT and in rare cases 2000.
When Microsoft reeeeally has something that I "NEED" then I'll switch.
Until Mickeysoft shows me something I HAVE TO HAVE (as in "I" want it) I'll stick with what I have.
And since I am in charge of what my company does with computers, I will never allow anything newer from them in this building!
And since there's no such thing anymore as using Microsoft's software without them having all your info on record, I'll probably never switch over. I STILL believe I have the right to use someone's software without having to have a RELATIONSHIP with the software creator.
I don't need calls from them asking why I'm not constantly buying their lastest crap, or if I'm interested in new crap.
The only thing that's "reducing prices" are an increasing number of alternative solutions out there that certain people dont want you to know about. Let alone experience fully.
Pretty simple for me really, im a home user and although business is where ms makes its money most home users have living rooms, and that's where ms wants to expand in.
for me i want prettier graphics, of course all of the pillars as described but as long as i get vector graphics/icons and a cool and customisable new interface with stickkies then im happy
think about it xp will be 5yrs old, the way the industry has come on with mobile devices, 3d screens, water cooling, wireless and security it will be a no brainer - can't wait!!
Just switch to Linux. Make your own decisions about when and how to upgrade. Take control of your life.
I, too, am a home user. I don;lt wnat cute graphics. I want a steady OS that will run the programs I've already got and an occasional new one. And I don't want to ring up anyone for permission about anything. So I'm using win2000, but may go back to win98, because some new programs refuse to load on win2000 unless you have Service Packs installed and I don't want them either.