Microsoft removes WinFS from Longhorn

[Nacho]

Microsoft removes key feature from Longhorn
Future Windows version cut down to size to ensure delivery schedule is met
By James Watson, Computing 31 Aug 2004
http://www.vnunet.com/news/1157709

Microsoft has decided to remove a key feature of its next major Windows operating system, codenamed Longhorn, in order to keep its 2006 shipping deadline intact.

Longhorn was expected to come with a major new file system, called WinFS, which is intended to significantly improve the way users can organise and find information on their PCs - this has now been dropped.
Here is a much better article from ZDnet:

Gates: Inside story on Longhorn
By Ina Fried and Michael Kanellos
Special to ZDNet
August 30, 2004, 4:34 AM PT
http://zdnet.com.com/2100-1104-5329511.html

But to make that date, it had to delay the full implementation of WinFS, an ambitious file system geared at letting users search through all of their files at once.

[rustybrick]

http://msdn.microsoft.com/data/winfs/

http://msdn.microsoft.com/data/winfs/default.aspx?pull=/library/en-us/dnaero/html/wux_topic_storage.asp

"WinFS" is the active storage subsystem in "Longhorn" that is used for searching, organizing, and sharing data. "WinFS" maintains a store of items and their properties, and provides a system service in "Longhorn" to retrieve information when it's needed. Because "WinFS" allows organization and retrieval of items based on properties (such as author or title), users can find things more quickly. Users can also organize, relate, and act on their documents, music, photos, e-mail, calendar information, and other types of items more efficiently."

[garyp]

According to a comment on 7/30 by of MSN chief, Yusuf Mehdi, MSN plans (planned?) to launch a standalone desktop app before Longhorn ships.

Microsoft had been expected to combine Web search with local PC search, but many had anticipated the move would come with Longhorn, the next version of Windows. Mehdi did not give specific details, but said the local hard drive search service would come before that launch."
http://news.com.com/Microsoft+puts+multisearch+tool+on+show/2100-1008_3-5289463.html

[projectphp]

So what the hell will be the point in upgrading? The Win 2k/XP/NT roots are (fairly) stable, especially compared to win 95/98 et al, and with no really revolutionary features, I fail to see how paying for the priviledge of what sounds like a minor upgrade makes sense.

This is actually a bit disappointing. Linux has come a long way, but is still playing catch Apple and MS, and everyone is playing the same desktop game, with only minor differences. If Windows had taken this revolutionary path, and done away with folders, the boldest move they have really ever suggested, it would have really shaken things up a great deal. It may also have forced competitors hands a bit.

As it is, this kinda bodes well for the alternate desktop crowds. Pity all round really!!!