Everyone's bashing Longhorn already... how badly do we need a new Windows?

[ski]

Do we really need a new version of Windows?

Sure, little things can be improved for certain users so that it's easier to view/find pictures and other silly things like that, but...

Windows XP has run rock-solid for me for the past 3-4 years. I don't see much need for improvement. People are bashing the screenshots for Longhorn already, saying that all it is is Windows XP with a new background and translucent windows (it's an exaggeration, I know).

Is there something you want more out of Windows that any previous version can't give you?

[zero2dash]

I agree; I don't think I'll upgrade to Longhorn. I had a hard enough time swapping 2kPro for XP Pro, but now I'm comfortable; I'm not giving my seat up for something I've already heard a lot of hype (and not enough "change") about. Besides, all this newfangled stupid digital rights stuff getting thrown into everything now, plus the rumors about Microsoft and Gator...doing...something (who knows)...eh not sure I trust them with a new OS.

XP Pro = secure/good enough for me.

[SecretIkon]

I'm using XP Home Edition on my notebook and Pro on my desktop. I'm happy with them both. I don't i'll switch over to a new OS yet. I'm really liking XP now the way it is. No need to upgrade to an new OS (I hope).

[eSDee]

Hmm let's see...

1. Firewall ON out of the box
2. Administrator account password REQUIRED out of the box
3. Windows Update ON out of the box

I think Windows XP is pretty good, especially some of the wizards built in (photo wizard, new printer, etc.) Perhaps some more good wizards would be nice. My biggest issue with XP is security, so if they take care of that I would consider upgrading some of my more knowledgeable users to Longhorn.

[navyones]

I used a Beta version of Longhorn, I was not impressed. I suppose that the final version of Longhorn will be better. I just didn't see where it was any better than XP.

The Beta version was no where near as stable as Windows 2000, which I think was the best version of Windows.

[ski]

On a lighter note, I remember when XP came out that the big retailers were giving away hundreds of dollars in free stuff after rebate if you bought XP for $200 or $300 or whatever it was. If they do that with longhorn in 2 years, I'll probably get it for the goodies.

[PrObLy]

On a lighter note, I remember when XP came out that the big retailers were giving away hundreds of dollars in free stuff after rebate if you bought XP for $200 or $300 or whatever it was. If they do that with longhorn in 2 years, I'll probably get it for the goodies.

If my student discount is still good in a couple years, I'd gladly pay the 6 dollars to give it a try

[Merlin]

Is there something you want more out of Windows that any previous version can't give you?

A boot up time of less than 10 minutes.

[Jeffbx]

There's not a lot of overt look & feel differences with Longhorn, so if that's what you're looking for, then don't bother with an upgrade. Most of the differences are in the back end:

WinFS (I don't think this will make it into the initial release, but it'll probably be a service pack). Replaces NTFS as the new file system. No longer FAT based, but will be a database instead. More efficient, faster, more stable, etc.

WinFX and Avalon - new development interface that will allow blending of documents, media & UI - this is the cool looking stuff.

Indigo - communications infrastructure between web, OS & other services.

Also, keep in mind that Beta 1 was just released... it's still in pretty early testing stages. There are a lot of changes & updates coming before it's ready for release.

[zero2dash]

2. Administrator account password REQUIRED out of the box

They should do what Linux/OSX does by default...user accounts are created with user account priviledges, and administrators must be manually logged in; then you can use the computer as a "user" but enter the "root/admin" password as necessary.

That's one of the greatest things about a non-Windows OS that Microsoft should implement.

[krayzie1]

A boot up time of less than 10 minutes.

Takes me less than 1 min to boot windows, maybe you should be looking at your system if it takes you that long to boot into windows. Try unchecking the options on the software you install thats says "Turn program on when windows starts?"

XP is by far the best OS right now, i've tried a lot and its plenty stable for me. My brother has the exact same setup as my computer (I built it) and he does nothing but complain about stuff not working. I'm like look yours is the same as mine so its something you are doing thats messing things up. You can build a stable OS but its hard to predict what stupid things people will do to it.

[Grubbie]

Also, keep in mind that Beta 1 was just released... it's still in pretty early testing stages. There are a lot of changes & updates coming before it's ready for release.

Yup, I will be loving to switch over to Vista as soon as possible. I actually just got a job as a contract employee testing parts of longhorn yesterday, so it will be fun to see the changes that it goes through from august till release.

I just think it will be a lot more secure the xp, since it was all redesigned and they put security higher up on the list of important stuff.

[Markel]

I'll buy a copy or two if they put out the $40 "developers"/"partners" deals and some of the good folks here at G|A link us up again.