UGN Security
Posted By: EndGame Microsoft to debut 'Windows Vista' - 07/23/05 02:04 PM
Microsoft Corp., the world's largest software maker, said on Friday it will call the next version of its operating system "Windows Vista" as it prepares to release a wave of new products after posting its slowest-ever year of growth.

Windows Vista, formerly known by its code-name Longhorn, is scheduled to launch in the second half of 2006, five years after Windows XP, the longest time lag between releases of its flagship operating system that runs on nine out of 10 personal computers worldwide.

Microsoft has promised numerous enhancements in Windows Vista, including better security, graphics and computing over the Web.

"It's in the consumer area that they have the best hope of rapid adoption," said Rob Helm, analyst at independent researcher Directions on Microsoft.

Brad Goldberg, general manager, Windows product development at Microsoft, said the new name was aimed at "communicating the idea of clarity."

More details on Vista will be released at a developer's conference in September, Goldberg said, and a beta, or test version, will be released by Aug. 3.

New products, including Windows Vista, the next version of Office, new database software and the Xbox 360 video game console are expected to help Microsoft return to double-digit growth after the company said on Thursday that yearly revenue grew 8 percent to $39.79 billion, the slowest yearly growth since Microsoft went public in 1986.

Shares in the company fell 2.6 percent to $25.75 on Nasdaq on Friday after it said earnings for the current fiscal quarter would be just below Wall Street's expectations.

Analysts brushed off the slower revenue growth and first- quarter outlook, saying long-term contract renewals would help the company return to double-digit growth.

Unearned revenue, which reflects long-term contracts that have been signed but not recognized as income, were $350 million higher than Microsoft had projected at $9.17 billion, indicating strong business demand for future products.

"Office 12 seems to be driving unearned," said Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. analyst Charles Di Bona, referring to the next major release of Microsoft's family of business programs.

Microsoft's unearned revenue balance for the business division that included Office grew the fastest in the latest quarter, rising $542 million to $2.8 billion.

Di Bona said investors may have also been concerned over an increase in marketing spending in the latest quarter that cut into Microsoft's operating profit, but said the stock remained undervalued at current prices.

At current prices, Microsoft is valued at 16 times projected earnings, compared with the average 24 times earnings valuation seen for the broader software sector.


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Posted By: Artic Warrior Re: Microsoft to debut 'Windows Vista' - 07/25/05 07:09 PM
Jesus, talk about money.
I hope IE7 will be up to standards.
Posted By: EndGame Re: Microsoft to debut 'Windows Vista' - 07/26/05 08:21 AM
heyyy ArcticW
been a while hasnt it?
where u been?

personally, not using my main computer for programming or any attempts at hacking and having never encountered a problem in the area of being hacked, i can honestly say im content with windows xp. :gasp:

yes, i have run into my fair share of problems but nothing a call into my computer support couldnt fix.
*shrug*

if they claim windows vista's going to be better, il be more than happy to contribute to bill gates retirement fun.
Posted By: Artic Warrior Re: Microsoft to debut 'Windows Vista' - 07/26/05 09:30 PM
Yeah, we had uni holidays and my patience for dial-up interent goes only so far. But now im back on the optus broadband. Thankgod!!!

Im just sick of exploits in IE6 and the fact that it has taken them so long to bring out a new version of windows is what has allowed so many programmers to take advantage of all the reg codes. I think. Either way if they say that there is an increase in internet security then I will stick will Bill aswell. For now.
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