Say what you want about Longhorn, just don't call it Windows XP Service Pack 3.

Windows chief Jim Allchin, who earlier bristled at suggestions that Longhorn had turned into "Shorthorn," said Microsoft has plenty of new stuff in store for the next version of Windows. Longhorn may be arriving more slowly than expected and it might not have everything that was once planned, but Allchin maintains "It's a big deal."

Among the features in the OS are security improvements, some snazzy new graphics, and a new means of searching and organising information. Rather than having to remember the single folder where something is stored, users will be able to put documents in any number of virtual folders. They can also establish folders that will automatically update, such as "files edited in the last week" or "documents from Jane."

In addition, Microsoft is trying to simplify an array of other tasks, such as adding a PC to a home network or connecting a laptop to a projector.

What is Longhorn?
Longhorn is the code name for the next version of Windows. A server version of Longhorn is also planned.

What is a longhorn?
It's a type of steer. It's also the name of a bar at the base of British Columbia's Whistler mountain, on the way to Blackcomb. Whistler was the code name for Windows XP, while Blackcomb was the moniker for a version of Windows that was originally scheduled to follow Whistler.

When will Longhorn arrive?
Microsoft has promised that Longhorn will be widely available on computers for the 2006 holiday buying season. A beta, or test, version is planned for "early summer," probably June or July. The server version is slated for 2007.

So what's in this Longhorn thing?
Longhorn has evolved quite a bit since Microsoft first demonstrated an early version in 2003. The company has dropped plans to include its all-new WinFS file system and has also changed the way it's implementing a new Web services architecture, known as Indigo, and a new graphics engine, dubbed Avalon.

Among the key features of Longhorn as it currently stands are: security enhancements, a new searching mechanism, lots of new laptop features, parental controls and better home networking. There will also be visual changes, thanks to Avalon, ranging from shiny translucent windows to icons that are tiny representations of a document itself. On the business side, Microsoft said Longhorn will be easier for businesses to deploy on multiple PCs and will also save costs by reducing the number of times computers will have to be rebooted.

Is that all?
No. Among the other features Microsoft has publicly confirmed are: broad IPv6 support, improved client-side caching of data stored on a server, whole-volume encryption, a revamped synchronisation engine, the ability to support laptops with an auxiliary display, automatic hard drive optimisation and a secure boot-up process that helps prevent someone from gaining access to your data if your PC is lost or stolen. There's also probably a ton of stuff we haven't heard about yet.

Is everything final?
No. Allchin has said that getting Longhorn out on time is more of a priority than including every last feature. So if the team hits a stumbling block, some features could be on the chopping block.

Will Longhorn be called Longhorn?
No, Microsoft will give it some official name, probably around the time it goes into beta, according to Allchin.

Will it come in the same editions as in the past -- Home, Professional, Tablet and Media Center?
Allchin said Microsoft is close to a decision there, but not ready to talk about it. "We are moving features around," he said.

How much will it cost?
Pricing, too, is yet to be decided.

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