ActiveWin.com - The Most Activated Windows Resource

ActiveWin

User Controls

New User

Edit/View My Profile

Active Network

ActiveMac

ActiveWin

ActiveXbox

Careers

DirectX

Downloads

FAQs

Interviews

MS Games & Hardware

Reviews

Support Center

TopTechTips

Windows 2000

Windows Me

Windows Server 2003

Windows Vista

Windows XP

News Centers

Windows/Microsoft

Apple/Mac

Xbox/Xbox 360

News Search

XML/RSS Newsfeeds

Pocket PC Site

FAQ's

Windows Vista

Windows 98/98 SE

Windows 2000

Windows Me

Windows Server 2003

Windows XP

Windows 7

Internet Explorer 6

Internet Explorer 5

Xbox 360

Xbox

DirectX

DVD's

Latest Reviews

Xbox/Games

Fable 2

Applications

Windows 7

IE 8

Hardware

Microsoft Arc Mouse (Red)

Latest Interviews

Mike Swanson

Site News/Info

About This Site

Advertise

Affiliates

Default Home Page

Link To Us

Sponsors: SEO
Search Engine Optimisation
exterminator
lawn care
SEO
Search Engine Optimisation
Search Engine Optimization
Search Engine Marketing
PPC Management
Search Engine Optimization
Search Engine Optimisation
search engine optimisation
Cheap Web Hosting
Webanalyse
online credit card processing
Lenovo Laptops
Text Links
Business Gifts
SEO Services
SEO
cheap websites
Search Engine Optimization
Promotional Pens

ActiveWin.com: New Microsoft Longhorn Build 4008 Screenshots

Time: 14:31 EST/19:31 GMT | News Source: ActiveWin.com | Posted By: Robert Stein

We have posted thirty four Microsoft Longhorn Build 4008 screenshots. These screenshots show the installation process, my documents, desktop, internet explorer, error messages, taskbars, etc. Check it out!

Write Comment
Return to News

Displaying Comments 1 through 25 of 84
Last Page | Next Page

The time now is 8:53:23 AM ET.
Any comment problems? E-mail us

#1 By AWBrian (1916 Posts) at 3/5/2003 2:54:32 PM

<snip>

This post was edited by Brian_MS_MVP on Wednesday, March 05, 2003 at 16:19.

#2 By Cthulhu (709 Posts) at 3/5/2003 3:02:15 PM

Looks like a nice theme they have going. Also like the idea that "Longhorn" will replace both XP Home and XP Pro so there will only be one XP version and that version will be all you need.

#3 By BobSmith (3719 Posts) at 3/5/2003 3:06:36 PM

Brian - AFAIK "Yukon" hasn't made into "Longhorn" yet, so there really isn't much to report about WinFS yet.

Cthulhu - I was just thinking about two editions of "Longhorn" like we have today with Windows XP. Why do you think they'll only make one?

#4 By JeffChapnet (412 Posts) at 3/5/2003 3:08:39 PM

I hope that sidebar has the option of either sliding away or being turned off. I personally don't like the idea of giving up desktop space for the examples I've seen it (the sidebar) used for.

#5 By AWBrian (1916 Posts) at 3/5/2003 3:13:27 PM

You can set the sidebar to autohide, resize and turn it off. Even relocate it if you like.

#6 By RedHook (878 Posts) at 3/5/2003 3:34:46 PM

Cthulhu, why do you think that there will only be one version when

http://www.activewin.com/screenshots/longhorn/Image18.jpg

Clearly says Longhorn XP professional, why make that distinction if there isn't going to be a home edition?

And to be honest those screen shots are not impressive. I call them Windows XP Aqua. I am ready for something new already, something radical. I don't know why MS just doesn't release a radical UI for those of us that are experimental and say "here use it at your own risk", and I don't meant mean a different color theme.

#7 By Lord British (59 Posts) at 3/5/2003 3:36:32 PM

Bob, I am still wondering what the 'winfs.exe' service does exactly and why it can easily use 100 MB of ram? Is it just a search service???

#8 By Lord British (59 Posts) at 3/5/2003 3:38:42 PM

Red Hook, I agree. The bar isn't very useful. More like a big quicklaunch bar that takes up screen real estate.

#9 By BobSmith (3719 Posts) at 3/5/2003 3:55:49 PM

British, I haven't installed it, so I haven't a clue. In a pre release state though, I doesn't suprise me that a system service could use that much RAM. I remember the early betas of .NET Framework 1.0. The ASP.NET worker process could use insane amounts of memory. Between it and VisualStudio .NET a 1G RAM wasn't difficult.

#10 By Neu (100 Posts) at 3/5/2003 3:58:27 PM

> Cthulhu - I was just thinking about two editions of "Longhorn" like we have
> today with Windows XP. Why do you think they'll only make one?

They won't.

The full-featured "Pro"version is codenamed Longhorn. The dumbed-down "Home" version that's coming later this year is to be codenamed Aggie.

#11 By bluvg (1834 Posts) at 3/5/2003 4:01:26 PM

Anyone notice the 2006 date in the "About Windows" dialog (in the upper-right corner)?

#12 By AWJared (13 Posts) at 3/5/2003 4:01:56 PM

remember that this is just a pre release alpha so lots will change and its likely these screen shots won't resemble anything we get when it comes out. though it is likely they will.

i hope i can get on a beta for this

#13 By AlmostFamousER (133 Posts) at 3/5/2003 4:07:49 PM

It is possible that there will only be one version.

As for why it says "XP Professional" after Longhorn, is because it's currently being developed on top of XP Professional.

All Alphas are usually started by working with a final version of the last released OS and then changing from there.

Windows XP Alphas were originally on top of Windows 2000.

I thiink the biggest improvment that Longhorn has right now is the faster install. The new install system is nice, and only taking on average 10-15 minutes is a step in the right direction! Also good to see the removal of the i386 directory.

#14 By sphbecker (1135 Posts) at 3/5/2003 4:31:17 PM

I think there will be two versions. I like Microsoft�s mail-in rebate idea for upgrading XP Home to XP Pro if you wanted Pro but your computer only came with Home.

MS is not going to lower the price that businesses have always paid for Operating Systems, $200. At the same time as long as there is price competition between Windows computers and other preinstalled operating systems such as Linux and Lindows, I do not see MS raising the price of its base OS. If they can't lower and can't raise, that means they will have two, pretty simple I think.

I have been very happy with the Home version of Windows. I do not think they disabled anything that a basic home network would need. I think I will always use Pro, but I do not tell my friends that they must get a computer with Pro or they will be sorry, and not one of them has been sorry, yet.

#15 By sphbecker (1135 Posts) at 3/5/2003 4:37:48 PM

Oh, and anyone who complained that this OS looks too much like XP or is not radical enough needs to get a life. Longhorn seems to be 2, maybe 3 years down the road. This alpha is not a Longhorn Demo, it was built for Microsoft's internal testing.

I will say this. I hope that new theme and its plan Window style is not the only option shipped with Longhorn. I think it looks pale compaired to XP. Just like XP can look like older versions of Windows, I hope newer versions allways keep the XP themes as well as add new ones of their own.

#16 By Lord British (59 Posts) at 3/5/2003 4:49:09 PM

sphbecker, if the user interface hasn't changed much since Windows 95, why would 2 or 3 more years make a difference? Maybe Microsoft is just going in the wrong direction with user interface for some people's taste. I would prefer no themes or "pretty stuff" (on the professional version) and just functionality. If I want pretty I will buy a Mac or the "home" version (if there is one.)

I don't think Longhorn's purpose is to change the interface much. I think it is mainly for the underlying file system change. They have throw in a little visual change in there just for eye candy.

This post was edited by Lord British on Wednesday, March 05, 2003 at 16:53.

#17 By bluvg (1834 Posts) at 3/5/2003 4:52:44 PM

Lord British--point understood: "If I want pretty I will buy a Mac." But it reminds me of Grandpa Simpson: "My car gets 40 rods to the hogshead, and that's the way I like it!"

#18 By parker (1508 Posts) at 3/5/2003 5:04:21 PM

#10 Wouldn't the dumbed down version be called LCB?

(Thats an inside joke. The Longhorn is a pub in Whistler BC at the foot of Whistler and Blackcomb ski hills. The LCB is the government liquor store).

#19 By zeratore (1 Posts) at 3/5/2003 5:19:19 PM

One Word, UGLY

#20 By sphbecker (1135 Posts) at 3/5/2003 5:20:50 PM

Lord British, I disagree. I understand that in some cases the pretty stuff can interfere with performance and some people dislike it; for those reasons it should always be an option that can be disabled.

To answer your question, "why would 2 or 3 more years make a difference?" The Theme service was one of the big things added to XP, it allowed Microsoft much more flexibility in customizing the user interface. Because that service is there, I think that each version of Windows will be accompanied with its own set of themes (and hopefully include past themes as well). If you don't like it, turn it off and go back to the Win2000 style GUI. I would like to see a single option somewhere that could change all needed options to make XP look like 2000 (Control Panel, Start Menu, Folder views, everything).

I hope your wish never comes true. I would prefer no themes or "pretty stuff" (on the professional version) and just functionality. I think the Pro version should always have everything the Home version does. I would hate to have to choose between something I like on Home and something I like on Pro and not be able to have them both. I do agree that Windows should allow the installer to choose to leave off cretin parts of the OS if he chooses (such as "pretty stuff"), but I think most people would agree that Pro needs to be a superset of Home.

#21 By BobSmith (3719 Posts) at 3/5/2003 5:30:02 PM

beck, slight correction, you mean "Visual Styles" not themes. There is a huge difference.

#22 By Lord British (59 Posts) at 3/5/2003 5:37:07 PM

sphbecker, I wasn't wishing that they get rid of it in the professional version, just default it to a standard "visual style" or theme or whatever they are that I turn off :) I didn't mind the gradient title bars in Win2k but the gradient and border on the menu highlight in Longhorn is starting to get to be a bit much. I thought the quick launch bar was great in windows 98 but they turn it off by default in XP and the new bar is too much. I don't know how they should change the UI but it should be more functional than nice to look at. If it is both, then we both win.

#23 By JWM (736 Posts) at 3/5/2003 5:47:30 PM

I wish they would redo the interface instead of just applying themes to Win95, but I guess this is primarily a business OS. Perhaps updating the UI would cause too many compatibility issues.

#24 By Cthulhu (709 Posts) at 3/5/2003 6:01:03 PM

Here's why I think they'll have only one...

http://www.activewin.com/screenshots/longhorn/Image30.jpg

See that part about limiting your kiddies internet time? Why would that appear in the Pro version if they wanted to sell the Home version with that functionality? It doesn't make sense to me for them to do that when they could just say "there is only one Longhorn version" and make everyone pay the same price. No more $100 difference in cost (everyone pays the higher price.) If Image30 were in the Home version, I'd agree, but it's in the Pro version, and it uses that specific language making me think that Longhorn is the "end all and be all" for the XP-like OS.

Plus it just makes plain ol' sense to have one code version to worry about supporting...

But that's my opinion, at any rate.

This post was edited by Cthulhu on Wednesday, March 05, 2003 at 18:03.

#25 By BobSmith (3719 Posts) at 3/5/2003 6:53:33 PM

cth, hmm, i hadn't thought of that. It was my understanding that home was a subset of Pro, so if home has it, pro has it too. If that logic is correct, that would seem to deflate your reasoning. I suppose we'll have to wait a bit and see what happens.

Write Comment
Return to News

Displaying Comments 1 through 25 of 84
Last Page | Next Page

The time now is 8:53:23 AM ET.
Any comment problems? E-mail us