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A Microsoft spokesperson who has been following our coverage of Windows Vista over the last few days, contacted me in regard to the naming of Longhorn Server -the next version of Windows Server, that is expected to start in the timeframe of the Windows Vista beta.

She also coined the term 'Vi' which is becoming a popular short name for Vista, meaning six in Roman numerals. She said "Just reading your posting on "WinVi" and wanted to let you know that Vista is the name for Longhorn client only. Microsoft is not announcing the name for Longhorn Server at this time, but the current plan is to follow the existing naming convention of Windows Server 2003"

Windows Vista is version 6.0, but bink of Bink.nu found an interesting domain registration of Windows07, which seems to confirm that Microsoft is indeed gunning for a Windows version that carries the number 7 in its name.

It looks like we could be seeing Windows Server 2007 after R2, R2 is currently in beta and is built on the Windows Server 2003 SP1 platform, it adds optionally-installable components that customers have requested.

View: Windows Vista Coverage

Note: This is a Beta release . Therefore, do not install these builds on machines you depend on. If you have a previous version of Avalon, Indigo, or .NET Framework 2.0 installed you must read this (http://lab.msdn.microsoft.com/vs2005/uninstall/) before download.

Indigo is the codename for Microsoft’s unified programming model for building connected systems. It extends the .NET Framework 2.0 with additional APIs for building secure, reliable, transacted Web services that interoperate with non-Microsoft platforms and integrate with existing investments. By combining the functionality of existing Microsoft distributed application technologies (ASMX, .NET Remoting, .NET Enterprise Services, Web Services Enhancements, and System.Messaging), Indigo delivers a single development framework that improves developer productivity and reduces organizations’ time to market.

Avalon is the code name for Microsoft's unified presentation subsystem for Windows. It consists of a display engine and a managed-code framework. Avalon unifies how Windows creates, displays, and manipulates documents, media, and user interface. This enables developers and designers to create visually-stunning, differentiated user experiences that improve customer connection. When delivered, Avalon will become Microsoft's strategic user interface (UI) technology.

This Beta1 "RC" release supports Visual Studio 2005 Beta2 and the .NET Framework 2.0 beta 2. There is also an updated WinFX SDK, including documentation, samples and tools available for this release.

IMPORTANT: Installing the Avalon and Indigo Beta1 "RC"(ISO)
The download bootstrapper of Microsoft® Pre-Release Software Code Named “Avalon” and “Indigo” Beta1 RC is currently unavailable in preparation for the final Beta 1 release that will be available to the general public shortly. Therefore, in the interim, you can download the ISO image of the RC bits.

Accessing the ISO File
An ISO-9660 image file is an exact representation of a CD, including the content and the logical format. The most common use of an image file is to write it to a blank CD-R resulting in an identical copy of the original CD including file name and volume label information. ISO Images can also be extracted directly to a file location by many CD-R utilities. For more information about image files, please visit the MSDN FAQ.