Neowin.net WinHEC 2005 Coverage

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WinHEC (Windows Hardware Engineering Conference) 2005 has now begun and Microsoft have given the Longhorn preview build to attendees. Build 5048 sports the new "Aero" theme and new search features. Neowin has been covering WinHEC since Monday and here is a roundup of the interesting stuff from WinHEC 2005.

View: Longhorn 5060 Wallpaper

View: Longhorn 5048 DWM In Action

View: Keynote Coverage

Video: Keynote Videos

View: Microsoft Bloggers Lunch Coverage

View: WinHEC Day #2 Pictures

View: Microsoft Wants 5048 Screenshots Removed

View: Longhorn Aero Express & Glass

View: Internet Explorer Session

Video: Exclusive: Jim Allchin Talks Longhorn WinHEC05

View: WinHEC 2005 Neowin Blog

Well, the new version uses Windows Update Agent (WUA) 2.0 in conjunction with its scan results and scanning. If it finds a product which needs a newer version or a new update, it will provide the necessary information about the update and a direct download link. It also will check operating systems and service packs. Windows NT will show up with a red X if it is the operating system used, this is because of the end of support for that operating system. Reports now list the most current updates that are installed and not yet replaced by newer updates.

Baseline Security Analyzer adds support for many new products, with widens the range of support it can give you for your programs and services that need updating. The new version also supports Windows 64-Bit edition and Windows XP Embedded Edition.

Updates with MSBA 2.0 Reporting:

Provide a "not yet approved" score for WSUS server administrators
Current Update Compliance (history) appears in the report
‘Restart Required’ now shown in report
Now offers XML output for all update scanning
• MBSA 1.2.x had XML only for MBSA-style scans, not /HF scans
Elimination of the blue asterisk ‘Note’ message for security updates
Locate update packages, KB and bulletin directly
Maximum bulletin severity and 3rd party related IDs

Error Messages are now handled in an easier fashion:

Many error messages made easily actionable
‘How to correct this’ link in report
• Opens new guidance in main help file
Main help and FAQ work in conjunction with error messages
Web site FAQ topic enhanced over time

This new version of Baseline Security Analyzer looks a very strong release. The integration with Windows Update Services is promising and something that I am pleased to think will ease the process of patching a system that needs it.

#1 teka on 25 Apr 2005 - 03:41

I Really wanted to read about this!

#2 Black Raven on 25 Apr 2005 - 03:48

Keep bringing in new screenshots please.

(1 reply) #3 bush on 25 Apr 2005 - 03:56

what the..? it's ie5

win98 icons. is this what longorn is all about?
:EDIT: everything's cool with the icons. but still there's that internet explorer 5 thing. why?

Last edited by 25347 on 25 Apr 2005 - 07:08

#3.1 nw_raptor on 25 Apr 2005 - 09:32

They always had trouble changing the icons... Look for "MORICONS.DLL"... Those are from Win3.1 days!

#4 Express on 25 Apr 2005 - 04:00

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/winhec/track.../w05tracks.mspx
A lot of tracks at WinHec.

#5 KeR on 25 Apr 2005 - 04:02

well that don't look like much, now does it? But it's still a WIP I guess.

(3 replies) #6 klop on 25 Apr 2005 - 04:05

Wow the screenshots look really nice!!

#6.1 Mongrel on 25 Apr 2005 - 14:23

What? No they don't! They just look different, if you want different download a new style. It's obvious they're not showing off anything good until the real product is released, including the interface theme.

The "Royale" theme that ships with WMC2k5 is way nicer than that. This show's about the technology, not consumeri appeal. Yet.

#6.2 Solarix on 25 Apr 2005 - 15:50

ya i have to disagree they look terrible, nothing to brag about ,kinda looks like 256color mode was used since the tool bar has horrible gradients

#6.3 sphbecker on 25 Apr 2005 - 22:39

I argee with the people who disagree. This does not look as good as XP, just different.

Wait until the offical beta in about a month to take about looks.

#7 johndotcom83 on 25 Apr 2005 - 04:05

soo many features that are not turned on again; hopefully there will be hacks for this build like there was for 4074

(7 replies) #8 alanzeino2002 on 25 Apr 2005 - 04:16

Are there any high-res screenshot out there, I want to port this to msstyles asap

#8.1 unique on 25 Apr 2005 - 04:54

why?

#8.2 alanzeino2002 on 25 Apr 2005 - 04:55

uh, for neowin?

#8.3 unique on 25 Apr 2005 - 07:08

i am sure neowin agrees it is nothing new/special and just looks like a stock windows blind theme from 3 years ago.

#8.4 theyarecomingforyou on 25 Apr 2005 - 11:18

It is a hideous temporary theme - I think we can live without it!!

#8.5 beardly on 25 Apr 2005 - 14:48

I agree.

#8.6 unique on 26 Apr 2005 - 21:22

owned by democracy.

#8.7 EduardValencia on 27 Apr 2005 - 16:39

lol

(1 reply) #9 johndotcom83 on 25 Apr 2005 - 04:20

anyone else noticed the sidebar is gone!

#9.1 boogerjones on 25 Apr 2005 - 06:39

Yes, and I'm glad. And I predict that the sidebar is either not present or disabled by default in the final version. It's just not useful.

#10 Post-It Note on 25 Apr 2005 - 04:51

Finally. I, for some reason, forgot that their was going to be a new build.

This is gonna be one of those news posts with many many comments.

#11 corrosive23 on 25 Apr 2005 - 04:56

LOL I already see this in newsgroups. Damn that was quick.

#12 Webgraph on 25 Apr 2005 - 05:12

Uh, about the Control Panel and Printers icons, why on Earth have they used the ugly Windows 95 ones?

#13 Elendil on 25 Apr 2005 - 05:20

I'm hoping that the icons are just place holders... it's past time to let those ugly win95 icons rest in peace

#14 XxiNickxX on 25 Apr 2005 - 05:25

fugly..

#15 JOEWARE on 25 Apr 2005 - 06:01

xp's theme is much better

(5 replies) #16 mx3 on 25 Apr 2005 - 06:13

I love how so many people just look at the theme and icons. This really isn't about the graphics, folks

#16.1 HoochieMamma on 25 Apr 2005 - 07:37

Finally, someone who understands.

#16.2 Jugalator on 25 Apr 2005 - 08:24

Exactly... How many times does it need to be said to get it through their thick skulls.

Microsoft doesn't even care right now about getting the final UI right.

It'll come late in beta, and this build isn't even IN the beta.

#16.3 PCyr on 25 Apr 2005 - 19:56

Agreed

#16.4 Jack31081 on 26 Apr 2005 - 16:04

true enough, but when you post screenshots, you better well expect people to comment on the content of those screenshots. You know...stuff like themes and icons.

#16.5 Treefrog on 27 Apr 2005 - 13:38

Especially when those screenshots really show nothing other than the look of the GUI. Whats with the wallpaper shot? Are they really so proud of that that they have to show it by itself? Thats just sad.

#17 welshkid on 25 Apr 2005 - 06:56

coool

#18 Rickie on 25 Apr 2005 - 06:59

Weeeee

(1 reply) #19 Cubiz on 25 Apr 2005 - 07:30

I know the look doesn't matter at the moment - but damn, that's an ugly OS.

#19.1 sphbecker on 25 Apr 2005 - 22:42

Yeah, wait for the beta sometime next month. I hope to see a little of what MS plans the final product to look like in the beta. I know that the XP betas didn't look very much like the final product, so we may not know until the very end what the offical theme will be.

(1 reply) #20 packard34 on 25 Apr 2005 - 07:34

WOW!!! Its here, Now lets sit back and wait for a leak ... ... ... ...

Did anyone notice on the start menu there is no longer a user's display picture

#20.1 Simon on 25 Apr 2005 - 07:37

If you switch off the welcome screen xp does the same thing

(4 replies) #21 AlexSpark on 25 Apr 2005 - 07:48

I know you guy say dont look at the style of the desktop yet cause it's an early build

The following screenshot is the first EVER showing of OS X back in 2000. I think you'd agree that it not as ugly as these screenshots

Screenshot

#21.1 jasondefaoite on 25 Apr 2005 - 08:24

Yup, the dock looks pretty nasty there

#21.2 theyarecomingforyou on 25 Apr 2005 - 11:44

Wow - the dock looks pretty rough there; it amazing to see how much it has improved. NEway, I find the amusing thing is that earlier screenshots of Longhorn looked a lot better than these.

#21.3 lare2 on 25 Apr 2005 - 15:02

Wow, that was long before someone mentiones OS X

#21.4 D-j-M on 28 Apr 2005 - 17:25

So?

#22 pixlnet on 25 Apr 2005 - 07:50

I think everyone was expecting an actual complete beta of Longhorn. It's great that they've got the under the hood technology out in the developers hands. If you planned to download it for the look and feel and were expecting something to compete with Tiger, you'll have to wait. Microsoft has to have some neat things up their sleeves to pull out at the last minute. Who knows; they have had many setbacks too. I'm definetely happy that there is competition!

#23 bucko on 25 Apr 2005 - 07:53

It's Beta and what do you expect

. Come on XP 64...I want news on that

(5 replies) #24 StuRReaL on 25 Apr 2005 - 07:54

disapointing, I expected to see better things but i still see those damn legacy icons and horrible interface widgets

#24.1 nw_raptor on 25 Apr 2005 - 09:28

Yeah, I was expecting more aswell...

#24.2 PCyr on 25 Apr 2005 - 19:58

Ya, I'm disappointed to. I can't believe they didn't put awsome themes and icons on a build intended for deveolpers.

#24.3 PCyr on 25 Apr 2005 - 20:00

#24.4 Treefrog on 27 Apr 2005 - 13:40

QUOTE

I can't believe they didn't put awsome themes and icons on a build intended for deveolpers.

What's so unbelievable about that? When have MS put an awesome theme in ANYTHING?

I would have to say that an awesome theme is the last thing I expect to see from them.

#24.5 SquareSoft0 on 28 Apr 2005 - 00:48

*WARNING WARNING* SARCASM DETECTED

(2 replies) #25 johnston on 25 Apr 2005 - 08:14

gdgd atleast itsout, what i wanna no is wen it will be leaked

im guessin tonight or tomorrow at the latest lol

Anyway did u see wot that lucky bugger cream and everyone else who went to the x64 got, a briefcase with class stuff in it,

#25.1 alanzeino2002 on 25 Apr 2005 - 10:18

What was in it?

#25.2 Treefrog on 27 Apr 2005 - 13:44

What exactly comprises "class stuff"?

(1 reply) #26 smashguy on 25 Apr 2005 - 09:54

Very Interesting

#26.1 ziadoz on 25 Apr 2005 - 22:14

yea

(3 replies) #27 smashguy on 25 Apr 2005 - 09:56

Great, I can't wait till 22 May 2006

#27.1 Mr. Dee on 25 Apr 2005 - 19:49

Actually, its December 2006. Mid 2006 has been scrapped, Office 12 is coming mid 2006 instead.

#27.2 sphbecker on 25 Apr 2005 - 22:35

Actually, the date has not been pushed back for sure. May 22nd was the release date, but rumors have it that Office 12 will not be ready until late 2006. Most likely MS will want to release the two products at the same time, so that is why people suspect that the Longhorn release date will be later in the year, delayed for the sake of Office 12.

#27.3 sphbecker on 26 Apr 2005 - 18:04

Okay, I will have to take back what I said. MS said as of yesterday that Office 12 will be out before Longhorn and that Longhorn specific updates to office will be released shortly after that.

I hope they don't do what they did with XP, where Office XP came out first, then Windows XP, but the real "designed for WinXP" version of Office was not until late 2003.

#28 LiGhTfast on 25 Apr 2005 - 10:32

yuck i'll not even bother with this if it leaks will wait for something better looking :/

(2 replies) #29 Mace on 25 Apr 2005 - 11:15

it's already leaked

#29.1 neostyle on 25 Apr 2005 - 12:01

who cares....?

#29.2 EduardValencia on 26 Apr 2005 - 03:55

i care

(3 replies) #30 stezo2k on 25 Apr 2005 - 12:08

Looks like IE is starting to look more like firefox...

#30.1 cjrciadt on 25 Apr 2005 - 12:55

Big surprise

Though I wonder what improvements it includes I hope it has any to begin with.

#30.2 lare2 on 25 Apr 2005 - 15:06

These tollers are getting slower over the time.

first 20+ post before someone mentioned OS X. and now here's come FF

#30.3 y0sh on 26 Apr 2005 - 16:52

That wasn't a troll. It was a good observation.

You, sir, are the troll.

And stop calling everyone fictional characters.

(2 replies) #31 ViperSnake on 25 Apr 2005 - 12:20

(fires up skinstudio)

I'm making a theme of that already for Windowblinds.

#31.1 hodgear on 25 Apr 2005 - 12:21

Can someone see if the new fonts are in there? Thanks!

#31.2 -DarkPhoeniX- on 25 Apr 2005 - 14:33

ditto on that, I was already working on a skin, but I'll just change it slightly to match the new build.

it's a good thing that wb supports transparency on the start panel, and the screenshots are png format instead of jpeg.

on that note, does anyone know how to edit the shellstyle data? Stefankas' mod is good, but I want to make it even thinner to match the WinHEC build, or even add in a file properties display (I checked, and the file properties display should be configurable)

(4 replies) #32 phedot on 25 Apr 2005 - 13:37

In the desktop image what is that under the All Programs label? Ir looks like a text box...

#32.1 theyarecomingforyou on 25 Apr 2005 - 15:07

It looks like a search box - it doesn't look very good, but it is probably just there to make it easier to test its functionality.

#32.2 phedot on 27 Apr 2005 - 20:59

It was mentioned at the Bill Gates Sunday keynote by Arvind Mishra:

If I bring up the Start Menu, you can see now we've got a field, a text entry field down in the left-hand corner, now all I have to do is type in the name of an application, I just type in notes, and I hit enter, and I'm into Notepad. If I think of something that's a little bit harder to find that we use periodically, like Solitaire, because no one ever plays that, I just type in, Soli, enter, and I'm into Solitaire. It's just that simple to launch an application on the Windows PC. I will never launch one personally the same ever again.

#32.3 Treefrog on 27 Apr 2005 - 21:10

Ahh, taking a cue from the mini-commander in Gnome and KDE, though those reside on your actual panel or taskbar and do not requre you to open the menu panel

#32.4 chrisxtreme on 29 Apr 2005 - 04:47

Can this also be used as an address bar?

#33 RaiderOnline on 25 Apr 2005 - 14:50

This screenshots suck'z

Looks like some visual style for WinXP.

(4 replies) #34 bingham. on 25 Apr 2005 - 15:07

i dont understand how this got leaked so fast

#34.1 theyarecomingforyou on 25 Apr 2005 - 15:09

Microsoft are handing out copies to people that attend - it was inevitable that it would be leaked this quickly.

#34.2 skinnyjm on 25 Apr 2005 - 16:10

It only takes as long as the upload.

#34.3 EduardValencia on 26 Apr 2005 - 03:57

and microsoft is aware of this,it's like a type of publicity to the geek world

#34.4 EduardValencia on 26 Apr 2005 - 04:03

(3 replies) #35 warwagon on 25 Apr 2005 - 15:20

well atlease they have good music while you wait for the keynote to start

#35.1 xmintox on 25 Apr 2005 - 15:29

ARGH MAKE IT STOP

#35.2 bucko on 25 Apr 2005 - 16:30

What time is 9:30am PDT in GMT time?

#35.3 Tasadar on 25 Apr 2005 - 16:33

It's 17:30 and it should have started already. That music is getting annoying.

(1 reply) #36 bucko on 25 Apr 2005 - 16:34

Perhaps Bill Gates is late

, Edit wups that was meant for Tasadar comment.

#36.1 bucko on 25 Apr 2005 - 16:44

It's on!

#37 tiger2k on 25 Apr 2005 - 16:41

are u guys sure this starts at 9:30, the room looks pretty empty and dark to me

(1 reply) #38 Timan on 25 Apr 2005 - 16:42

Hmm anyone else see what I see?

WinHEC Sign, no music but I see people walking and moving I think.

#38.1 Dr.Jones on 25 Apr 2005 - 16:44

there is music, turn up the volume

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Neowin.net WinHEC 2005 Coverage

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