Evolution Sex Theory and Windows Vista: Difference between pages

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Since the [[Human Genome Project]] was completed in 2003, many theories based on the findings (or lack thereof) have come to light. The Evolution Sex Theory states that humans are given genetic instructions to be male or female and to have sex with the opposite sex in order to reproduce. Though it's not fully understood how, these traits are thought to promote the genes that carry them. < http://paleodiet.net/Sex_Gene.html >

'''Longhorn''' is [[Microsoft]]'s [[codename]] (for a full list see ''[[Microsoft codenames]]'') for the next version of its [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]] [[operating system]], to follow on from [[Windows XP#Service Pack 3 (pending)|Windows XP SP3]] [http://news.com.com/Reversal+Next+IE+update+divorced+from+Windows/2100-1032_3-5577263.html?tag=nl] and [[Windows Server 2003]]. It was originally expected to ship sometime early in [[2006]] as a minor step between [[Windows XP|Whistler]] and [[Windows Blackcomb]] (Longhorn is a name of a [[sports bar]] at the [[Whistler-Blackcomb]] [[ski resort]]).

Gradually, Longhorn assimilated many important new features and technologies of Blackcomb. On [[August 27]], [[2004]], Microsoft announced that they are delaying release of [[WinFS]] so that Longhorn could be released in "a reasonable timeframe" (officially marked as [[December]] of [[2006]]). Two [[beta version]]s have been planned, the first expected to debut in Q2 2005 and the second in Q4 2005, with [[release candidate]]s to be released throughout 2006.

This theory is based strictly on the 253 million [[base pairs]] of the [[genes]] contained within the [[X chromosome]] and [[Y chromosome]]. <http://www.trueorigin.org/gaygene01.asp >

Longhorn is currently available as a preview release available to [[MSDN|Microsoft Developer Network]] (MSDN) subscribers, and at select Microsoft developer conferences. The preview release is classified as an [[Alpha version|alpha]] version at the moment, and as such its performance and feature sets are not necessarily representative of the release product. As with many products (including all Windows releases since 98) it has since been leaked onto popular [[file sharing]] networks.

==Technologies==

Microsoft labels the key new technologies as "The Pillars of Longhorn", which are:

* '''Fundamentals''': new developments to the basic structure of the operating system including the [[Microsoft .NET|.NET]] framework, further support for [[digital rights management]] (DRM), an application deployment engine ("[[ClickOnce]]"), improvements to the installation of applications (Windows Installer/MSI 4.0), and the Trustworthy Computing initiative, previously known as Pallidium, see also ([[trusted computing]]).

* '''[[Avalon (API) | Avalon]]''': a new [[user interface]] subsystem and [[Application programming interface|API]] based on [[XML]], .NET, and [[vector graphics]], which will make use of [[3D computer graphics]] hardware and [[Direct3D]] technologies. See [[Windows Graphics Foundation]].

* '''[[Indigo (messaging system) | Indigo]]''': a service-oriented messaging system to allow programs to interoperate as part of the .NET framework.

* '''[[WinFX]]''': a new API to allow access to these new features, replacing the current "Win32" API (see [[Windows API]]).

It is worth noting that Avalon, Indigo, and WinFX are technologies that will be made available to [[Windows XP]] and [[Windows Server 2003]] as well, and are therefore not technologies to be exclusive to Longhorn, but rather developed in time for the Longhorn release, to be incorporated in that operating system. This doesn't imply coming visual changes to these operating systems though, as Aero will still be exclusive to Longhorn. The reason for [[backporting]] these technologies is to allow an easier introduction to these technologies to developers and end users.

March 26th Microsoft released a Community Preview featuring both Avalon and Indigo to enable developers to experiment with the new technologies without running the Alpha version of Longhorn. Due to many requests it was released to the general public and is available at Microsoft's website [http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=85ab132b-f1aa-4422-b053-272d79863013&DisplayLang=en].

==Features==

Additionally, Longhorn will include many other new features.

===Aero===

Longhorn will include a completely re-designed user interface, code-named ''Aero''. The new interface is intended to be cleaner and more aesthetically pleasing than previous Windows interfaces. The most visible addition to the interface is the ''sidebar'', an area at the side of the screen consisting of ''tiles'' which display dynamic information about whatever window is currently in the foreground, which is essentially an extension of the "system tray" on the Windows [[task bar]]. Note that the sidebar had been removed as part of the WinHEC 2005 release (Build 5048).

===Search===

Longhorn will feature a new search engine which will allow for instant display of results for a given search. This is in contrast to the search engine of Windows XP, which can take several minutes to display results. The Longhorn search will allow you to add multiple filters to continually refine your search (Such as "File contains the word 'example'"). There will also be saved searches which will act as [[Virtual Folders]], where opening a folder will execute a specific search automatically and display the results as a normal folder. The search will also feature other usability improvements. The Longhorn search is actually built on an expanded and improved version of the indexing service for the search in Windows XP.

===Metro===

Metro is the codename for Microsoft's next generation document format, which is based on XML. It is similar in many ways to [[Adobe Systems]]' [[PDF]]. Metro is intended to allow users to view, print, and archive files without the original program that created it. The name Metro also refers to the print path in Longhorn. With Metro, documents can remain in the same format from the time they are created to the time they are printed. Microsoft states that Metro will provide better fidelity to the original document by using a consistent format for both screen and print output.

While many analysts suspect Metro is intended to be a "PDF-killer," Microsoft insists that they are not attempting to duplicate all the functionality of the PDF. For example, at the time of this writing, Metro is not planned to have the capabilities for dynamic documents.

===Other Features===

* Full support for the "[[NX bit|NX]]" (No-Execute) feature of processors. This feature, present in [[AMD]]'s [[AMD64]] architecture, as well as [[Intel]]'s [[EM64T]] Architecture, can flag certain parts of memory as containing data instead of executable code, which prevents overflow errors from resulting in arbitrary code execution. This should not be confused with [[trusted computing]] facilities provided by a so-called ''[[Fritz-chip]]''.

* Built-in [[DVD]] recording capabilities, including [[Mount Rainier (packet writing)|Mt. Rainier]] support.

* A new installation program that will install Longhorn in about 15 minutes (which is present in alpha build 4074 of Windows Longhorn).

* Native Raw Image support (As used by most digital cameras).

* Native, embedded RSS support, with developer API.

* Some level of file encryption support, which will prevent unauthorized viewing of files on stolen laptops/hard drives.

* The "My" prefixes will be dropped, so "My Documents" will just be "Documents", "My Computer" will just be "Computer", etc.

==Technologies/Features Delayed until future release==

* '''[[WinFS]]''' (short for either ''Windows Future Storage'' or ''Windows File System''): a combined [[relational database]] and [[filesystem]], based on the next version of [[Microsoft SQL Server|SQL Server]] (codenamed ''Yukon''). Working on top of [[NTFS]], it will provide abilities to represent objects and their relationships, rather than just a hierarchy of files and folders. The removal of WinFS from Windows Longhorn was announced in August 2004, and is expected to be released as an update to Longhorn, entering beta stages at about the same time as Longhorn is released, but also will be ported to Windows XP to help end users along with the transition phase to Longhorn. Microsoft's promotion of this technology has spurred the recent trend towards [[desktop search]] tools.

* '''[[MSH (shell)|Monad]]''' A new [[command-line interface]] called ''[[MSH (shell)|MSH]]'', and codenamed ''Monad'' will not be fully implemented in Longhorn, but will exist in it to some extent. It plans to combine the Unix [[pipes and filters]] philosophy with that of [[object-oriented programming]].

==Graphics hardware requirements==

Longhorn's graphics requirements are defined in relation to the different desktop experiences.

===Aero Glass===

This graphics mode adds support for 3D graphics, animation and visual special effects in addition to the features offered by Aero Express.

*Intended for mainstream and high-end graphics cards.

*At least 64 MB of graphics memory, 128 MB recommended, or 256 MB for 1600x1200+.

*At least 32 [[bits per pixel]].

*3D hardware acceleration with capabilities equal to [[DirectX]] 9.

*A memory bandwidth of 2 GB / second.

*Capable of drawing ~1.5M triangles / second, one window being ~150 triangles.

*A graphics card that uses AGP 4X or PCI Express 8-lane bus.

Although this may appear expensive by today's standards, it is likely that such a configuration will be entry-level or lower by Longhorn's release.

===Aero Diamond===

A graphics mode customized for the Longhorn Media Center Edition, and will not be made available in the other editions.

===Aero Express===

The lesser Aero visual experience offering only the basic visual improvements introduced by Longhorn, such as composition based DPI scaling.

*Intended for mainstream or lower-end graphics cards.

*Uses the Avalon Desktop Composition window manager.

*A Longhorn Driver Display Model (LDDM) driver is a requirement.

===To Go===

The new Longhorn look & feel without any visual special effects, similar to the visual style Luna of Windows XP in that it resembles merely an application [[skin (computing)|skin]]. As with Luna, no additional hardware requirements compared to the classic Windows interface.

*A simple option for consumer upgrades, and mobile / low-cost devices.

*No additional requirements compared to the lesser Classic mode.

*Fallback mode in case the hardware requirements for Aero aren't met.

===Classic===

The most basic user interface offered by Longhorn, which is also seen in [[Windows 2000]], or [[Windows XP]] with its visual style Luna deactivated.

* An option for corporate deployments and upgrades.

* Requires Windows XP Display Driver Model (XPDM) or LDDM drivers.

* No graphics card hardware requirements exceeding those of Windows XP.

==References==

*[http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/device/display/graphics-reqs.mspx Graphics Hardware and Drivers for "Longhorn"] &ndash; Version as of April, 2004; retrieved June 10, 2004

*Microsoft (August 27, 2004). [http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2004/Aug04/08-27Target2006PR.asp Microsoft Announces 2006 Target Date for Availability Of "Longhorn"]. Press Release. Retrieved November 30, 2004.

==External links==

*[http://msdn.microsoft.com/longhorn Microsoft Longhorn Developer Center] -- Developer information on Longhorn at [[MSDN]].

**[http://msdn.microsoft.com/Longhorn/understanding/pillars/default.aspx The Pillars of Longhorn]

**[http://longhorn.msdn.microsoft.com Microsoft Longhorn SDK] -- Documentation of the Longhorn APIs made public so far at [[MSDN]].

*[http://www.winsupersite.com/longhorn/ Paul Thurrott's SuperSite for Windows] -- Detailed information regarding Longhorn, including screenshots.

**[http://www.winsupersite.com/reviews/pdc2003.asp PDC 2003 Section] -- Information regarding Longhorn build 4051, released at PDC 2003.

*[http://www.aci.com.pl/mwichary/guidebook/interfaces/windows/longhorn GUIdebook: Windows Longhorn Gallery] - A website dedicated to preserving and showcasing Graphical User Interfaces

*[http://www.longhornblogs.com/ Longhorn Blogs] -- Non-corporate, community-based initiative of Microsoft's next version of Windows

*[http://www.longhornbuzz.com/ Longhorn Buzz] -- Non-corporate, community-based forums dedicated to Microsoft's next version of Windows

*[http://www.windowslonghorn.net/ Longhorn News] -- Non-corporate, community-based news site, dedicated to Longhorn news.

**[http://www.windowslonghorn.net/modules.php?set_albumName=WindowsBetas&op=modload&name=gallery&file=index&include=view_album.php Gallery Section] -- Screenshots from development versions of Longhorn.

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