***Next Windows OS Changes the File System***

A leaked test version of the next iteration of Microsoft’s Windows
operating system (OS) for desktops, codenamed Milestone 5, shows
that the company is moving quickly to get the OS into users’ hands.
Now that Microsoft has shipped Windows Server 2003, the company
appears to be freeing resources to move ahead with Windows XP’s
successor, despite its original plans to debut the product no sooner
than in late 2004.

*Microsoft has not officially commented on the release*

A major difference in the new OS is a new foundational file
organization system that will make it easier and faster for users to
find and work with information, no matter its format. This translates
as faster and more reliable searches for information.

The new system has been dubbed Windows Future Storage, or WinFS,
and will replace NTFS and FAT32, which are used by earlier version of
Windows.

The new file system stems from the company’s work in database
development, and analysts are hoping this means a more reliable and
more stable operating system.
 

AMD and Microsoft Plan for Future
Copyright© 2003 RacelineCentral.com

***AMD, Microsoft Plan for the 64-Bit Desktop***

AMD Wednesday received an endorsement from Microsoft for building
64-bit chips into the desktop. With beta releases scheduled for
mid-2003, Microsoft is developing native 64-bit versions of its
Windows XP system designed to support AMD's forthcoming Athlon
64 processors for desktops and notebooks.

This move can potentially give AMD an advantage over Intel in the
race for desktop speed.

According to a report on internetnews.com, Intel has not planned to
make an x86-64 processor because it believes that most desktops will
not need any more than 4GB of RAM until the end of the decade. 4GB
of Ram is the current limit for 32-bit processors.

Intel instead will be focusing resources on getting its 64-bit Itanium
processors for servers to market, with plans for 64-bit desktop
processing technology no sooner than 2008.

AMD and Microsoft argue that 64-bit Windows XP on Athlon 64 will
allow users to upgrade to 64-bit applications as they become available,
while still supporting current 32-bit applications.