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Hypesphere: nothing to Gates' Windows 7 "next year" quote

arstechnica.com — Reading the mainstream media this weekend, you'd believe that Bill Gates announced that Windows 7 will be released to retail in 2009. The only problem is, he didn't say anything of the sort. What Gates said merely confirmed what we've all known all along: that Windows 7 is being developed on a three-year timeframe.

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  • LANjackal, on 04/07/2008, -3/+43Once again, Ars can be relied upon to separate the hype and trash from the actual truth. Good job guys. I'm amazed at how many "reputable" tech news sources completely misinterpreted Gates' statements too.
    • estvir, on 04/07/2008, -6/+6Because those 'reputable' tech news sources are filled with morons with little to no real experience in the industry. To those with the slightest clue, they know XP SP2 was a 'once off' even (As opposed to everyone thinking that's what SPs normally are) and that Win7 coming out 1-3 years after Vista is not noteworthy.
      • cquinnd, on 04/07/2008, -1/+4Their experience doesn't really play into it, when sites like Digg continue to carry the meme even when corrected information is available, they have no choice but to perpetuate the story, even if/while they try to validate it.
    • wphj, on 04/07/2008, -10/+3Vista's retail release was January 30, 2007
      Microsoft says 3 year time frame.
      That puts three years at the very beginning of 2009. How is that wrong?
      Now I'm definitely not saying I expect Microsoft to get it finished that fast, just that it seems like that's what they are saying now.
      • jarek91, on 04/07/2008, -0/+15umm...2007-2008 is one, 2008-2009 is TWO...2009-2010 is three. That's how it is wrong.
      • cquinnd, on 04/07/2008, -1/+1And Vista went RTM in Nov of 2006, which is the timeline they would be targeting in development of the next version.
    • tyywebb, on 04/07/2008, -0/+7Am I the only one who was anxious to see what Windows 7 has to do with hyperspheres?
  • Spuby, on 04/07/2008, -16/+3wonder how fast the source code for Windows 7 will be leaked, just like the recent leak for vista's sc
    • hartley, on 04/07/2008, -0/+11You obviously didn't read the "source code".
      • Spuby, on 04/07/2008, -1/+1it was a joke, didn't think I would have to put quotes for source code given how popular that story was; the connection was that it would take even less time to post that "source code" with a hint that it would have only cosmetic changes ... guess next time I'll have to write in caps at the end that I used irony in the comment
        • hartley, on 04/13/2008, -0/+1You're on digg, most of the comments here are from people who didn't read the article.
          Next time you read a story, see how many comments there are that relate JUST to the headline, and have no references to the actual article.
    • Stonekeeper, on 04/07/2008, -1/+1http://www.kernel.org
  • colin8651, on 04/07/2008, -6/+17Who her wants Windows 7, if it going to be out next year. Starting from scratch is going to take allot longer than a few years.
    • TRScheel, on 04/07/2008, -0/+8As nice as it is to ponder at them starting from scratch... it would cost far too much and probably cause more problems than solve
    • 000dom000, on 04/07/2008, -6/+1THey really need to get a good job done this time. If something does go wrong it will probably be if it goes modular. IF they want to improve on Vista then they do need to start from scratch, no matter how long it takes. Until then, they will keep pushing VIsta as if it is the dogs bollocks and lose more trust as it is. I'm not against Microsoft, but only if they actually turn around some really good software in the next few years.
    • okaroleo, on 04/07/2008, -1/+3Its possible for someone with MS resources. Also reason why it could take less is if they dropped a lot of legacy support which noone in real world uses. Thats why windows is so bloated. If they start from scratch they have an oportunity to make a truly excellent OS based on top practices and proven methods. More than 50% of XP and Vista is legacy support. I would not mind getting a fresh Windows OS instead of another "downgrade"

    • estvir, on 04/08/2008, -0/+4In ~2005 they 'reset' the codebase for Longhorn (Vista) after Allchin decided it was basically a train wreck (Anyone who had uses any Longhorn builds and knew what it was based on, etc, would agree) so one could say Vista was coded in 2-3 years. Also, of course that wasn't completely from scratch as they used Win Server 2003 as their codebase (A wise decision) and had some previous code to work off and also, the 2 teams working on Windows and the Server version would share code (Binaries and the like).

      Vista was /coded/ a lot faster than what people think but than again, most people on Digg, Engadget and so one don't really think, that's why there's a need for clarifying articles like this from the few sites where there semi-intelligent people.
      • DarkShroud, on 04/08/2008, -0/+2After the SP1 update Vista now uses the Server 2008 code base. I rather like both decisions.
        • estvir, on 04/08/2008, -0/+1Just a little clarification, it always has had the same code base as Server 2008, SP1 simply brought it 'up to date' (Kernel, binaries, etc) with the development Server 2008 received since it was released later.
  • usgovterrorists, on 04/07/2008, -12/+3How about XP Second Edition?

    Please don't screw up again Microsoft!
    • nblsavage, on 04/07/2008, -13/+9Please screw up again Microsoft, the computer world would be better off without you.
  • BlackholeStorm, on 04/07/2008, -2/+10The whole "windows next year" thing was ridiculous anyway, I mean, even if that was the release, Microsoft would never be able to make that date. I'm surprised many people believed it. Anyway, a good article, thx Ars.
  • gregdbowen, on 04/07/2008, -9/+3How about Vista light for developers - no bells and whistles, micro memory footprint, strong legacy support, as a free download for smitten Microsoft customers.
  • DiggOrNotToDigg, on 04/07/2008, -6/+4I bet the nonsense first from Gawker Media.
  • fuhcough, on 04/07/2008, -12/+3/me covets his XP Pro SP2 cd-rom.
  • jlebrech, on 04/07/2008, -3/+3Most likely Windows 7 might/should be a low level virtualization system that can have its own tightly intergrated drivers and then it would virtualize previous versions of windows and also Linux. Then later on they could release a bolt on that would be legacy incompatible but would turbo charge the Certified application in the same way that apples universal executables work.
  • mjpr, on 04/07/2008, -10/+7who actually believes any Microsoft release date?
  • t4m5t3r, on 04/07/2008, -13/+2i heard windows 7 would be out for 2010, about a year ago, so 3 year time frame, 2010, seems right to me, and plus look at Vista, its *****, i know theres alot of people out there sank some serious cash into a sub standard "vista ready" system, and therefore have convinced themselves its not a big steaming pile of *****, but a fact is a fact, cant really change that!!

    And since vista is killing microsoft, it would make sense to put it out of its misery NOW and not waste anymore money on it, although i personaly HOPE MS keep pushing vista, because it will just add to their demise all the faster, and the faster MS die the faster we can actualy start moving foward with innovation, intead of endless EULA's and ***** copyright based monopoly building business practices!!
    • Wang, on 04/07/2008, -2/+5"vista is killing microsoft" - really?
    • KraftDinner101, on 04/07/2008, -0/+9You sir, are a moron.
    • estvir, on 04/08/2008, -0/+4Killing Microsoft? They had record profits, showed completely unexpected growth, Vista is bringing in money, Office 2007 is bringing in boatloads of money, etc.

      The only person who thinks Vista is incredibly bad and killing Microsoft is a moron.
      • sybesis, on 04/14/2008, -0/+1thinking vista will help is still a moron. If you look at the vista acceptation from the people you'll see that people aren't moving very fast from xp to vista...You'll see too that linux and mac are eating Microsoft market share...

        You'll see that if Microsoft has to support windows7 while xp and vista...people will get pissed off if it work on xp/vista but not 7...
        I think all of this is getting funnier each day. Microsoft is definitively loosing. it will take the time it need but, Microsoft isn't definitevly getting more market share. Microsoft Office 2007 is a joke,
  • Shaman760, on 04/07/2008, -17/+3Looks like M$ has painted themselves into the proverbial corner.
    • santaliqueur, on 04/07/2008, -1/+13M$, I get it! Using the dollar sign for an S! Clever.
      • grimward, on 04/07/2008, -1/+3Yes, all the cool ubuntu kids are doing it these days.
  • Wang, on 04/07/2008, -1/+2Ironic that this ends up being yet another article "telling it how it is" with no hard information to back it up whatsoever :)
  • daxsymbiont, on 04/07/2008, -7/+3It'd be a BIG THICK MIDDLE FINGER up your arse having a BRAND NEW pc with Vista and after a year "your windows is old".
    • insertAliasHere, on 04/07/2008, -1/+9Let's stop all progress until all daxsymbiont's hardware/software is almost obsolete. Then we can put out new stuff.
      • daxsymbiont, on 04/08/2008, -0/+1the hypocrisy is yours is obsolete.
  • jzuska, on 04/07/2008, -7/+3I'm not replacing my pirated version of XP. I already forked out the cash for vista and it was a total disappointment. I MIGHT upgrade if the next version is faster. That's MIGHT.
    • DarkShroud, on 04/08/2008, -0/+1Maybe you should fork out the cash for a decent PC. Between a TigerDirect Bare bones PC and Newegg a decent computer can be had for less than a grand these days.
  • PrestonBworth, on 04/07/2008, -5/+0What the hell. I just got Vista, how a new windows? I don't have any problems with Vista but tons of other people do. Most people still have XP. Can't they wait for the market to saturate with Vista before making a new OS? Modules can suck my ass.
  • grimward, on 04/07/2008, -3/+2Ahahaha, ars technica yesterday: windows is going to be modular! ars technica today: we dispel the FUD!... hilarious!
    • cquinnd, on 04/07/2008, -1/+3Windows has been moving towards more modular designs for quite a while.
      Those are completely different issues.
      • grimward, on 04/08/2008, -0/+1The ars article regarding windows 7 being modular was all speculation, there's no verified data to back that article up.
  • tictac888, on 04/07/2008, -2/+1Even thogh it's untrue, will it be enough to trigger an 'Osbourne effect' ?

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osborne_effect
  • chris9902, on 04/07/2008, -0/+11No! you mean nobody fact checked it? shocking!

    In other news: you're on the Internet.
  • hasslinthehoff, on 04/07/2008, -7/+2Let's hope for Microsoft's sake this is total rewrite of Windows and not just a new shine on the same turd they've been polishing for 20 years.
    • etx313, on 04/07/2008, -3/+2I hope so too, but i doubt it. They really need to just rewrite the thing and abandon the freaking window 3.1 compatibility. It's 2008 MS, seriously. Yeah, it will suck at first, but if you do it right the pain will be worth it.
      • cquinnd, on 04/07/2008, -0/+2Actually they are moving in that direction. There was a betanews(?) article about it dugg just last week
  • etx313, on 04/07/2008, -7/+3Maybe they should work on Vista first. I actually tried to install it again over the weekend, after pulling my video card out to stop the installer from blue screening it installed. Now most of my 3d apps run like crap or not at all. Good thing I still have my osx86 drive intact.
    • moyness, on 04/07/2008, -0/+2After you install OS, make sure to install your Videocard's Drivers.

      ;)
  • YodaJones, on 04/07/2008, -7/+3By the time Microsoft can release a new operating system the world, not necessarily the United States, will have moved towards open source solutions. If the United States does not embrace this they will most likely loose what little technology lead that remains.
    • frepnog, on 04/07/2008, -0/+4you are ***** crazy if you really believe this.
    • moyness, on 04/07/2008, -0/+3I think Three years (if 3) is a little toooooooooooooooooooooooo low of a timeframe for World domination by Open Source.
      • sybesis, on 04/14/2008, -0/+1i think it's fair enough to make a lot of damage...
        in 2009 every computer in russian school will be linux powered.
        it is like that in other foreign country...france is moving there too.
        3 year is enough to conquer more big country...
        let say
        Japan
        England
        France
        Russia
        Korea
        China

        the only big country that i see missing would be canada / US / australia / germany

        anyway, i would say 5 years.
  • gregdbowen, on 04/07/2008, -3/+2I think Microsoft or supporters are doping this post, burying anti-vista comments.
    ''I'm amazed at how many "reputable" tech news sources completely misinterpreted Gates' statements too.' +30 - yeah right
    • cquinnd, on 04/07/2008, -0/+2Actually most just repeated the misinterpretation originally presented on the few sites that were there to listen to the speech.
  • morphie, on 04/07/2008, -2/+1Who says it's Windows 7 they'll release? Maybe it's a new release based on Windows 6.
  • spacebuddy, on 04/07/2008, -3/+3They should fix Vista first.
  • kalel90, on 04/08/2008, -3/+1Doesn't mean there shouldn't be something to it. Wishful thinking FTW
  • faskippy, on 04/08/2008, -0/+1I want this moniter:
    http://www.cinemassivedisplays.com/MasterPlex_30D. ...
  • DarkShroud, on 04/08/2008, -1/+2People complain they want a basic version of the Windows OS and then complain about Vista Home Basic.
    People complain that MS doesn't do anything new. So they release an OS using the 6 generation of NT and people complain it's different.
    People complain about memory problems MS creates SuperFetch, now people complain that half the memory they paid for is being used in a proper fashion
    People wanted a new flashy Interface, MS creates Aero and makes it run off the video card processor & memory and people still complain.

    People just like to complain. How often do you people buy iPods? Vista is a great step forward, just update your ancient PCs and get over it.
    • mrBitch, on 04/09/2008, -0/+1RE your comment : " People complain they want a basic version of the Windows OS and then complain about Vista Home Basic. "

      I think you misunderstand the differences between "basic" as in "no options" and "basic" as in a basic, easy to understand UI which still has more advanced "power user" options available when you wish to invoke those options.

      For more info ( blog from a windows developer learning to use OSX ) :
      http://www.davidalison.com/2008/04/mac-after-two-m ...
      " the Mac interface does not force you to see all of the options directly from the surface level. Most of the applications have very light menus and options.
      Initially I thought this meant that OS X was a light weight - what I learned was that I just had to spend a little time digging and suddenly a much larger number of options were available. UI folks refer to this as progressive disclosure. I refer to it as clean and uncluttered."
      • DarkShroud, on 04/09/2008, -0/+1Actually I think you've misunderstood my post. There are people who want a cheap stripped down version of Windows just for things like email, internet, & possibly a Word Processor.
  • neko, on 04/08/2008, -0/+1Redo from start
  •  

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