* Now the wait is for Longhorn Server
Happy New Year! I was recently watching an old episode of The West Wing in which President Bartlett was delivering a canned speech to some group. Originally scheduled to be delivered in the Rose Garden, inclement weather forced it inside at the last moment. Still, he began with the same opening: “As I look out at this wonderful vista…”
Perhaps, sometime this year, you too will gaze upon this wonderful Vista. At least this marks the first January in a while in which we haven’t speculated on when the newest Microsoft desktop operating system would ship. Vista is now the current version and will likely be coming in on all the new desktop PCs you buy this year. That could mean lots of extra work for the help desk as the learning curve for the new interface in Vista will likely be just as steep for those moving from Windows XP (and Windows 2000) as the move from Windows 2000 to XP. It may well be “better” in an abstract, well-designed-for-the-novice-user way. But it does change the habits of people who have used the older systems. Be ready for that, and be sure your people know how to handle the most common questions.
The target of our speculation can now move to Longhorn Server – or whatever it will be called when it finally ships. And that ship date is no firmer today then it was back in May when I suggested it was “due out in about 18 months”. I’ll still say first quarter of 2008 with maybe an early release to OEMs by year-end. But I’d only give that about 75% chance of occurring.
If you want Microsoft to keep you up-to-date about Longhorn developments, including the availability of beta software, register at the Technet Longhorn site. Of course, we’ll continue to tell you about the major developments – and roadblocks – as they become known.
