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'Blackcomb' Renamed to 'Vienna'

By Nate Mook, BetaNews

January 19, 2006, 4:03 PM

Microsoft has changed the code-name for the next version of Windows after Vista from "Blackcomb" to "Vienna," according to company evangelist and blogger Robert Scoble. Blackcomb was named back in 2000, when Windows XP was still known as Whistler. But Microsoft says it needed a name that fit the "Vista" theme.

"The codename for Blackcomb has changed to 'Vienna'. This does not reflect a big change for us; we have used city code names in the past," a Microsoft spokesperson said in a statement. "These code names are derived from cities/locations in the world known for great 'vistas'. The kinds of places we all want to see, experience and that capture the imagination. Vienna fits with this concept."

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By jharmon

posted Feb 8, 2006 - 3:45 PM

I would like to know how do I get beta Windows Vista software from Microsoft. I did this before back when XP was beta, I just forget the process how to recieve it.

Score: 0

By Black-Wolf

edited Jan 23, 2006 - 12:35 PM

Now it's starting to name them by the city....
ha!

Next ones will be Windows Berlin, London, Washington, Taipei and s***

LOL

Score: 0

By paulm

posted Jan 23, 2006 - 1:06 AM

Obviously a slow news day!

Score: 0

By muldran

edited Jan 22, 2006 - 11:13 AM

Vienna? Hmm, this means nothing to me.

Score: 0

By toddsnc

posted Jan 23, 2006 - 6:10 AM

Oh, Vienna....

Score: 0

By hugh750

posted Jan 21, 2006 - 6:54 AM

It looks like microsoft is already planning on making vista outdated.

Score: 0

By john84

posted Jan 22, 2006 - 2:25 AM

They are always working on the next operating system before one is released. So before 'Vienna' is released they will be working on the next. So you always receive an outdated one.

----------
-John
http://www.cybernetnews.com

Score: 0

By tannman1

posted Jan 21, 2006 - 1:57 AM

What POST Vista? Jesus talk about putting the cart before the horse

Score: 0

By JacenSolo

posted Jan 21, 2006 - 6:44 PM

I was thinking the same thing

Score: 0

By wincement

posted Jan 23, 2006 - 12:42 PM

Then I guess EVERY software developer has the same problem. Everyone does it. This is nothing new.

Score: 0

By ds0934

posted Jan 20, 2006 - 9:30 PM

I've been a MS proponent for years. Not because they make superior products, not because their pricing and licensing make any sense at all (they don't), but because it's easy to implement and integrate for most SMB environments. Home users also like it (or Mac OS/X) due to simplicity, games and media features. I really wish the Linux guys would stop arguing with their noses in the air and move towards making more plug-n-play, easy to configure alternatives. I've just started using Linux in the past year and I'm excited for the potential, but it's not quite ready to compete in the same ways as Windows XP is now. I know that'll draw flames, but it's true. Not saying Linux is lower or worse, not at all, it's very solid and powerful, but still not as idiot-friendly as Windows. The future of computing devices has to be "simple" or they won't sell widely. Money is king. Make the thing as simple as a toaster to setup and run, and it will fly off the shelves. I'd like to see a Linux Mac-Mini myself. That would be cool. Who cares about Vista/Vienna/Vaporware anyway.

Score: 0

By JacenSolo

posted Jan 21, 2006 - 6:42 PM

I dunno what brought this comment up...

I'm going to say this once, and I won't argue it... but I'm sick of hearing people say that Windows is the only platform for gaming/media/etc. Go play Doom3 on Linux and STFU :)

Microsoft products aren't superior, but I'm not going to say their too bad either (unless you count WML and IE7)... I'll judge Vista when it's released, but so far I'm impressed.

" I'd like to see a Linux Mac-Mini myself."
Linux can run on Apple hardware :)

"Not saying Linux is lower or worse, not at all, it's very solid and powerful, but still not as idiot-friendly as Windows"
Give it another try then... you'll find that idiot friendly is what most OSes are these days. and anyone that can't get used to any OS (Win, Mac, Lin), I call them too lazy to learn. All three OSes (Modern distros only in the linux one) are easy to learn and VERY power...

If you ask me, I'd say Windows is getting slightly better all the time. But MS needs to stop forcing IE, WMP, Messenger, and other programs onto us... if they did that, I'd like it better (and don't suggest third party tools!)

BTW, what distro you using, ds0934?

Score: 0

By expert01

posted Jan 22, 2006 - 10:58 PM

They NEED to keep these bundled with Windows. How are you going to download Firefox if you don't have IE when you install your OS? How many n00bs (most people who own computers) are going to know how to get a program to play their songs? For christ's sake, these are the same people that buy a new computer when their old one is running slow from spyware! They don't know how to upgrade, or install a new OS. Until Linux or OSX get sold by Dell and Gateway and the other people that have cheap computers everywhere, they'll never be mainstream.

Score: 0

By PC_Tool

posted Jan 23, 2006 - 2:38 PM

C:\> ftp

ftp> open ftp.mozilla.org

Pretty easily, I'd wager.

Score: 0

By GeorgeSantayana

posted Jan 20, 2006 - 2:16 PM

Vienna is an apt name.

Like Vienna sausages, it's best to not know how Windows is made.

Score: 0

By debugged

posted Jan 21, 2006 - 11:41 AM

Haha, very funny use of an Otto von Bismarck quote

Score: 0

By Xquire

posted Jan 20, 2006 - 1:34 PM

Vista
Isn't
Efficient
Not
Now
Anyway

Score: 0

By JacenSolo

posted Jan 21, 2006 - 6:45 PM

I don't think that was nessercery.

I expect Vista to be built on XP tech, so it'll get the job done, at least.

Score: 0

By john84

posted Jan 20, 2006 - 11:29 AM

Looks like Internet Explorer 7 - build 5299 screenshots and such got leaked:

http://www.cybernetnews.com/?p=263

Score: 0

By PC_Tool

edited Jan 23, 2006 - 12:52 PM

If you're going to link to a site that hosts porn adverts, please be responsible enough to warn users who might be at work when reading.

It's as simply as putting "(NSFW)" after the link. (Not Suitable For Work)

Thanks.

Score: 0

By JacenSolo

posted Jan 21, 2006 - 6:35 PM

Internet Explorer 7 greatly disappoints me.

Score: 0

By googun

edited Jan 20, 2006 - 7:05 AM

"These code names are derived from cities/locations in the world known for great 'vistas'. The kinds of places we all want to see, experience and that capture the imagination. Vienna fits with this concept."

I have to admire Microsoft's Marketing Department's propensity for writing crap. On this basis can we look forward to "Windows Playboy Mansion West"?

Score: 0

By rearden

posted Jan 20, 2006 - 10:12 AM

All marketing departments do is write crap.

Score: 0

By joesnow

edited Jan 20, 2006 - 4:48 AM

maybe it's just the server software that compliments Vista, just like 2003 officially released well after XP did.... i haven't read up on whether or not a server OS will be included in the Vista lineup all at once...but ya never know.

Wks > Server
win3.11 > NT 3.51
Win9x > NT 4.0
Win2000 > NT 5.0 (win2k server)
WinXP 5.1> NT 5.2 (2003 server)
Vista > ?"Vienna"?

Score: 0

By expert01

posted Jan 22, 2006 - 11:03 PM

The official name of the Vista server edition is "Windows Server 2007". It's been found in several pictures inside Vista.

Score: 0

By Sn4k3

edited Jan 22, 2006 - 1:07 AM

Just to add here.. there is a Server OS that goes with vista also and it's called "Longhorn server" so far and i'm not sure if they'll be changing it or not..

An Vienna won't be out until at less 2010.. which is 2 years after the release of Vista R2. which i think is due out in 2008.

Score: 0

By Soa307

posted Jan 20, 2006 - 1:23 AM

Vista isn't even on the market and they are already giving news on the post-Vista OS... It may be a codename, but press has never hit this fast... Something is up...

Score: 0

By TheBeastH6

edited Jan 20, 2006 - 7:59 AM

I'm frightened. And that was a serious statement.

Score: 0

By DigitalSin

posted Jan 19, 2006 - 9:39 PM

yay

now I can sleep

Score: 0

By eastmpman

edited Jan 19, 2006 - 9:07 PM

From a software developer's standpoint, it does make sense to have codenames, to at least keep everyone on the same page.

BUT, I do believe codenaming a project 7 to 8 years before a release candidate is even expected is not only silly, it's a waste of time, and god knows a waste of money, or resources in Microsoft's case.

I wonder how many people got paid in efforts of changing the codename, and how long it took them for that matter? What a shame.

Score: 0

By dmainzman

posted Jan 19, 2006 - 7:51 PM

wait, wait... WHY did microsoft name the OS two OS's from now BEFORE the last one?!
It just doesn't make sense... and why are they even thinking about it? They should still be working on Vista!
*mumbles* I hate Microsoft.

Score: 0

By drumcat

posted Jan 19, 2006 - 8:41 PM

Internal clarity drives efficiency... or some crap like that.

Score: 0

By wincement

posted Jan 19, 2006 - 5:29 PM

Nifty.

What confuses me though: How is it a codename if everyone knows it?

Score: 0

By Banquo

posted Jan 19, 2006 - 8:56 PM

The code names aren't secret, they're just names the developers use until they come up with the final name.

Score: 0

By wincement

posted Jan 20, 2006 - 1:48 AM

I know. It was a joke. =/

Score: 0

By John_Bedin

posted Jan 20, 2006 - 5:13 PM

va' fanculo stronzo

Score: 0

By wincement

posted Jan 20, 2006 - 5:37 PM

You have a serious problem, and I pity you for it.

Score: 0

By PC_Tool

posted Jan 23, 2006 - 4:43 PM

I give...what's it mean? (Bablefish is proving useless)

Score: 0

By drumcat

posted Jan 19, 2006 - 8:40 PM

Because no one knows what they're going to market it as...

Maybe Vienna will be "Windows XP3, the revenge". Who knows. Until then, they need the internal name.

Score: 0

By PC_Tool

edited Jan 19, 2006 - 5:24 PM

Windows 95 was Chicago, right?

Named after the Windy City for all the holes in it?

Sorry...I just couldn't resist the temptation.

My bad.

Score: 0

By Kamika007z

posted Jan 23, 2006 - 2:21 AM

....

cornball :P

Score: 0

By TheBeastH6

posted Jan 20, 2006 - 7:57 AM

Whoooooooooooosh. Sounds like 95, wondering how my PC speaker began its own symphony.

Score: 0

By Macross74

posted Jan 19, 2006 - 4:26 PM

WOW, still cannot understand why they did not stay to a year or version.

Score: 0

By RobertM

posted Jan 19, 2006 - 5:03 PM

It's a code name.

Not that I have much faith in them to make a sensible final product name, either, but that's not what this announcement is about. In fact, I'm kinda wondering why a code name is so important they felt the need to change it and that this big a deal is being made of it, but I guess that doesn't really matter.

Score: 0

By Banquo

posted Jan 19, 2006 - 4:25 PM

Now whenever I think of the next version of Windows the first thing to come to mind are those little canned sausages. Microsoft sure has a way with code names. Why are they even announcing this? Seems they would want to keep the spotlight focused on Vista. Really makes people want to run out and buy something when they are already talking about replacing it.

Score: 0

By dzjepp

posted Jan 19, 2006 - 4:25 PM

What? Is this about development of a new os, AFTER vista? Damn, and that product isn't even out of the door yet...

Score: 0

By Desides

posted Jan 19, 2006 - 4:21 PM

I have to wonder what Microsoft is doing developing a post-Vista OS when Vista is still a year off, and XP SP3 is two years off.

Score: 0

By expert01

posted Jan 22, 2006 - 11:05 PM

Vista is supposed to be released in mid to late august.

Score: 0

By yohimbe9

posted Jan 19, 2006 - 5:10 PM

They're doing the same as all other companies do. Some things you just know won't make it into the next product so you have to think beyond it. Take a look at the Mozilla timeline and you'll see plans for 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 2.0 and 3.0.

Score: 0

By Desides

posted Jan 19, 2006 - 9:06 PM

I'm well aware of how Mozilla works. Most of the work being done on Firefox 3.0, however, is being done on the Gecko engine right now, rather than the actual product. Given that Microsoft still isn't finished with Vista's core features, I'm really not sure how they can already have Vista's successor OS underway--especially with the multiple side-projects they'll have to contend with, such as XP SP3, Vista SP1 (it's going to happen, let's not kid ourselves), WinFS, Monad, and whatever features they've decided to cut from Vista's launch in order to finally ship it.

Score: 0

By yohimbe9

posted Jan 23, 2006 - 7:49 AM

Exactly, they'll cut features but not stop developing them. Companies have a dream of where they want their product to be. Marketing/Sales determine when that product ships, engineers determine what part of the "big picture" can be built in that timeframe. Ford wants a flying car I'm sure, but their engineers are saying "give us a couple of decades" and then Marketing says, "OK, keep working on the Focus but also on "Project Daedalus". Most people work on what's going to ship, some are working on the overall dream.

Score: 0

By Mark Gillespie

posted Jan 20, 2006 - 4:44 AM

They need a target and project name, to put development work towards.

Developer fred, working on technology x knows his work is being targetted at Vienna (or Vista, oe XPSp3 or whatever).

This is no big deal, this happens in every software hosue around the globe.

Score: 0

By horsecharles

posted Jan 19, 2006 - 4:18 PM

Vista Vienna!! rumba, caramba...scratch, scratch..huh, huh, huh..dance, dance, dance, dance..........keep on dancin'........

Score: 0

By TheBeastH6

posted Jan 20, 2006 - 7:58 AM

Doll-Dagga Buzz-Buzz Ziggety-Zag... Godmod grotesk burlesk drag...

Score: 0

By brinkeguthrie

edited Jan 19, 2006 - 10:53 PM

I am laughing on the ground. Let's see...about a year or less til Vista comes out.
It's still got a lot of bugs..uh, features.

This is the name for what comes AFTER that?

What in Heaven's name for? Who could POSSIBLY be working on an OS for a decade from now?

Will Larry and Sergey please release GBrowser (I KNOW it's in beta somewhere in their basement skunkworks) so I can ditch IE?

And no, no thanks, no FF for me.

Score: 0

By bourgeoisdude

edited Jan 21, 2006 - 10:59 AM

"What in Heaven's name for? Who could POSSIBLY be working on an OS for a decade from now?"

Where have you been? MS started working on Windows XP immediately after Windows 98 came out. Windows 95 had been worked on since before Windows 3.1 was even released. Windows 2000 was being redesigned as soon as NT 4.0 was beta (in 1995!) That's the way MS does things. That is also why people who cut down microsoft for design flaws are USUALLY full of sh!t too.

Score: 0

By expert01

posted Jan 22, 2006 - 11:04 PM

Microsoft has been working on some features of Vista since 3.1

Score: 0

By JacenSolo

posted Jan 21, 2006 - 6:50 PM

"That is also why people who cut down microsoft for design flaws are USUALLY full of sh!t too."
I think you've been living under a rock :)

Anyway... as for the name thing, I'll take Windows 2006 over Windows Vista anyday :P

Windows XP will always be Windows 2002 to me.

Score: 0

By Mark Gillespie

posted Jan 20, 2006 - 4:45 AM

Go with Opera then...

Score: 0

By #include

posted Jan 22, 2006 - 12:56 AM

they should name the next version "code name"

Score: 0

By ArKay74

posted Jan 23, 2006 - 4:33 AM

why not just "next version"?

Score: 0

By PC_Tool

posted Jan 23, 2006 - 5:30 PM

and then next-next version?

that could get looooonng.

Score: 0

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