Windows 7 - A light at the end of the tunnel?

For many people, the transition from Windows XP to Windows Vista was a rough one. Others refused to make the move altogether either because of the negative publicity it received  or a software / hardware incompatibility of some kind.

Originally, it was planned that Windows codename "Blackcomb" (a.k.a Windows 7) was to be the successor to Windows XP and Windows Server 2003, but there were some development delays and Microsoft decided on an interim release of Windows. They named this interim release codename "Longhorn" - or as we know it, Windows Vista. Due at least in-part to the many changes to the nomenclature, the interface and the addition of a security feature coined "User Account Control" (UAC for short), Windows Vista flopped hard, leaving many users very unhappy.

Windows Codename "Blackcomb" was renamed to "Vienna" in early 2006 and then again to "Windows 7" in 2007. In 2008, Microsoft announced that Windows 7 would be the official name of the new version of the Windows operating system. The Windows 7 beta is now available for public download. From the reviews I have been reading, performance - which was a big issue for adopters of Windows Vista - has greatly improved, already surpassing Windows XP and Windows Vista in the Beta phase.

A comprehensive list of new "features" available in Windows 7 can be reviewed here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Features_new_to_Windows_7

Microsoft has also created a blog for those following the development of Windows 7, entitled "Engineering Windows 7". There is a lot of good information here for those who are interested.

As far as a release date, Microsoft has not said anything official - but people are speculating that this release is due for RTM (Release to Manufacturing) before the close of 2009. For the uninitiated, the release cycle works like this:

Pre-Beta – This release at the PDC introduced the developer community to Windows 7 and represents the platform complete release and disclosure of the features.

Beta – This release provided a couple of million folks the opportunity to use feature complete Windows 7 while also providing the telemetry and feedback necessary for us to validate the quality, reliability, compatibility, and experience of Windows 7. As we said, we are working with our partners across the ecosystem to make sure that testing and validation and development of Windows 7-based products begins to enter final phases as we move through the Beta.

Release Candidate (RC) – This release will be Windows 7 as we intend to ship it. We will continue to listen to feedback and telemetry with the focus on addressing only the most critical issues that arise. We will be very clear in communicating any changes that have a visible impact on the product. This release allows the whole ecosystem to reach a known state together and make sure that we are all ready together for the Release to Manufacturing. Once we get to RC, the whole ecosystem is in “dress rehearsal” mode for the next steps.

Release to Manufacturing (RTM) – This release is the final Windows 7 as we intend to make available to PC makers and for retail and volume license products.

General Availability (GA) – This is a business milestone and represents when you can buy Windows 7 pre-installed on PCs or as full packaged product.

 

(from: http://blogs.msdn.com/e7/archive/2009/01/30/our-next-engineering-milestone.aspx)

In conclusion, I am looking forward to many of the much needed improvements offered by Windows 7, but I am also aware that the cutting edge can often times be the bleeding edge - as such, I will be patient with any "production" deployments of the new Operating System and remain leery of any hype surrounding its release.