14 DAY TRIAL // This week-end, Microsoft has started to get ready for the beta-testing of the new Windows operating system, better known as Longhorn.
The distribution of the beta 1 will be made through the site http://connect.microsoft.com and ex beta-testers of the Windows XP, as well as participants at the last WinHEC conference have been invited to participate.
Microsoft will launch through this address both beta 1 as well as the next updates and the company intends to organize even a public testing for Longhorn, which will be open to all those interested in the new product. Microsoft hasn't revealed yet a date for this event or the way in which it will take place.
This weekend also, a new Longhorn build, 5203, showed up on the Internet. The first beta presented by Microsoft in April was 5048 and Microsoft warned that it's not the beta that will be launched this month.
Microsoft has confirmed that certain features will only be available starting with Beta 2, especially the graphical elements. The testers of the system will also have the privilege of seeing Internet Explorer 7.0 and Windows Server 2003 for the first time.
Another interesting aspect is that although everybody refers to the new operating system from Microsoft with Longhorn, this will not be the official name.
Mike Brannigan has explained in a Windows newsgroup that Longhorn is just a code name and that Microsoft will launch Windows under another name. This is not something new, Windows XP being initially called Whistler, initially called Whistler and receiving the XP name once publicly launched.
Microsoft has not decided yet the name for the new Windows, but in Brannigan's opinion, it will be something to draw the interest of millions of users.
Longhorn will be followed by Blackcomb, the code name for the next operating system Microsoft intends on launching during 2010-2012.