Windows "Longhorn" Server February CTP Now Available

#1 Autoexec on 19 Feb 2007 - 22:07

I look forward to the threads re: getting this installed as a desktop OS. C'mon you know it'll be fun.

(2 replies) #2 +ispamforfood on 19 Feb 2007 - 23:22

You do realize that VISTA is the "desktop os" version of Longhorn Server..... right?

#2.1 GP007 on 20 Feb 2007 - 00:42

It's true that Vista is the desktop version, or client as they call it, but the code is pretty much the same at this point, the real changes are in all the server oriented services and so on, like IIS etc that are installed.

People like to run the Server version as a client because it's newer and more bugs are fixed, since they release it after the client version. But when Longhorn Server is released, any security fixes and other low level (even the kernel), changes will be pushed over to Vista in SP1, this way MS keeps the client and Server on the same single code base which helps things.

#2.2 +ispamforfood on 20 Feb 2007 - 19:40

Quote - (GP007 said @ #2.1)

It's true that Vista is the desktop version, or client as they call it, but the code is pretty much the same at this point, the real changes are in all the server oriented services and so on, like IIS etc that are installed.

People like to run the Server version as a client because it's newer and more bugs are fixed, since they release it after the client version. But when Longhorn Server is released, any security fixes and other low level (even the kernel), changes will be pushed over to Vista in SP1, this way MS keeps the client and Server on the same single code base which helps things.

Considering MS instructed its Beta testers to focus primarily on the server applications of the os, i doubt they were expecting to make drastic changes to the Kernel, so I'd say you're pretty safe using Vista. Granted, there could be large flaws to the OS, and they wont ignore them, but i wouldn't be expecting NOTICEABLE changes in "reliability" or any other factor. Vista will probably be 99% as "stable" as LH server. Is 1% gonna mke all the difference? I highly doubt it.

#3 +AltecXP on 20 Feb 2007 - 01:12

Yeah I would actually run this as a desktop OS (as i did with server 2003) if I didn't know SP1 would bring it back even.

#4 cardg on 20 Feb 2007 - 03:27

There are guides over there, you can even use dwm/aero, games, etc etc etc...
But i guess this time they will do something like they did on 2000pro/2000server and not like they did on XP/2003 since 2003 is so better that people who installs it never go back to xp.
The real difference by now is being iis7.

But lets see... let's see...

(1 reply) #5 stgeorge on 20 Feb 2007 - 05:16

If you guys think Microsoft will integrate kernel-level changes in SP1 *for free*, you are on crack. It will be a paid upgrade in 2009. Service packs (with the sole exception of XP SP2, which MS will never again repeat) have always been about bug-fixes, nothing more. Kernel-level enhancements, new software and cosmetic fixes will require cash-money.

#5.1 +cheesegoduk on 20 Feb 2007 - 07:34

Quote - (stgeorge said @ #5)

If you guys think Microsoft will integrate kernel-level changes in SP1 *for free*, you are on crack. It will be a paid upgrade in 2009. Service packs (with the sole exception of XP SP2, which MS will never again repeat) have always been about bug-fixes, nothing more. Kernel-level enhancements, new software and cosmetic fixes will require cash-money.

Wrong.
SP1 will have Longhorn servers kernel and any other bugfixes they discover during the process. We were told in the newgroups that the best way to improve vista after RTM was to continue to test Longhorn server.

So anyone that does run longhorn server as the main OS after RTM will be laughed at because this time around there will be no reason whatsoever

#6 devHead on 23 Feb 2007 - 21:28

I'm running this build right now, and I have to say, I'm quite impressed. Some of the things this build has that I wish were in Vista RTM:

1. The startup and shutdown screens provide you with more information about exactly what Windows is doing before it displays your desktop (or shuts down the computer.)

2. The defragmenter has more options; for example, you can choose specifically which volumes to defragment during scheduled defragmenter, and even when you want to defragment immediately. It also shows which drive is being defragmented at the time, and whether or not you should defragment your volumes.

3. By default, UAC is turned off, but you still have all the features such as Defender and the Security Center, firewall and the like.

4. Plus, maybe it's just me, but it seems more responsive somehow than Vista, especially when running the Aero interface. (FYI, the Aero interface is a Windows feature that must be enabled manually, since it's not installed by default with the Server)

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