Though the deadlines for releasing Longhorn components imposed by Microsoft were virtually impossible, the company managed to complete Community Technology Previews (CTP) versions for the Microsoft Developer Network partners.

According to statements originating from Bill Gates, Longhorn should have been based on four "key elements": Windows File System, or WinFS, the Avalon display system, the Indigo communications subsystem and API-s providing the system with a better driver management, and with easier install and launch facilities for applications. Such functions were supposed to be built upon WinFX, the replacement of Win32.

Microsoft introduced ever since January a preview version of the Avalon display system, a presentation subsystem for the 2005 Windows.

Though the initial plan was to integrate it in the Longhorn version only, Avalon might also be revealed as an add-on for Windows XP, Windows Server 2003 and other Windows versions to be released.

The display system is to be simplified, just like WinFS, as the initial design was too complex for such short deadline. Avalon's main goal is to unify the way the operating system creates, displays and handles documents, media files and user interfaces.

Indigo appears as a Microsoft effort towards Web services and higher inter-operability (by converging the internal and external applications of any company), all of them under high security and stability auspices, and based on capabilities requested by corporate clients.

Indigo is planned as a Net Framework 2.0 extension, providing access to this technology to millions of Visual Studio developers. Indigo is to be compatible to the current Web Services like ASMX, .Net Remoting, .Net Enterprise Services, WSE and System.Messaging.

RESURSE

Microsoft wants no more passwords for Longhorn