There were numerous hints this would be the period in time in which the shrouds get lifted, the veils get ripped of and the curtains tucked away on the new shiny name and logo for Windows Server Codename "Longhorn".

Hints

For instance the latest beta builds of new Microsoft products are traditionally the last builds to be referenced by codenames, if there are any in use. Windows Whistler, which became Windows XP in the Beta 2 timeframe is a clear example of this.

Another hint comes from an interview by eweek with Bob Muglia, Senior Vice President, Server and Tools Business for Microsoft. He answered the question when he was going to announce the official name with the following sentence:

"We will announce the official name when we release Beta 3, which is on track for the first half of 2007"

Well, I guess we've all noticed Microsoft released Beta 3 of Windows Server codename "Longhorn" on April 26, 2007 so the big question is when Microsoft will officially reveal the name.

WinHEC

Mary Jo Foley apparently was the first to take a look at the Virtual Pressroom for the Microsoft® Windows® Hardware Engineering Conference (WinHEC) 2007 in Los Angeles May 15-17, 2007. In the little menu it stated "Windows Server 2008 reviewers guide". Microsoft quickly altered the 'Related Links' section and removed the link. Of course Mary Jo made a screenshot of the menu and added it to her article.

Microsoft France

Another hint for the 'Windows Server 2008' name is in the Microsoft France Technet Beta Central Website. My French is a bit rusty, but it clearly states the solid base for your enterprise, cost reduction, flexibility, the new administration tools and increased security. The link at the end leads to a page where you can download the Windows Server 2008 beta 3. On some pages it says Windows Server Codename "Longhorn" Beta 3. On other pages it's Windows Server 2008 Beta 3.

Microsoft Windows Server 2008

Microsoft decided to name Windows Server Codename Longhorn Windows Server 2008. I think there's a lot of information in that product name. Let's take a look at the name and especially the number 2008.

I guess we all remember the Windows 2000 Server and Windows Server 2003 releases. Windows 2000 Server was Released to Manufacturing (RTM) on December 15, 1999. It took Windows 2000 Server two whole months to become Generally Available (GA). This was February 17, 2000. Microsoft signed off on Windows Server 2003 on March 28, 2003 sending it to the manufacturing plants. (RTM) Less than a month later the product was generally available.

I guess Microsoft is still hanging on finishing Windows Server Codename "Longhorn" before the end of the year. This would mean the development team will do its target. This might seem as the optimistic side of the target. If the team does not wing it, they still have 3 months to make it ready for RTM.

I think they know how to focus on the December window for RTM: Just like the Windows Vista team they can strip down functionality and alternatively leave out unfinished functionality. These are hard choices, but at least they won't have to wait for other development teams to supply them with their work.

Concluding

The 'Windows Server 2008' name gives me a sense of how to interpret the 'H2 2007' timeline.

I don't question the quality of this product. I just hope we will find more than enough nice new features we can use in our day-to-day jobs and we can welcome a Release to Manufacturing of the product within the 'H2 2007' timeframe.

Good luck, guys!

Further reading

Windows XP History on OldOS.org
Windows 2000 and Windows Server 2003 on Wikipedia
Microsoft's Muglia Talks Longhorn, Novell and Java
Bob Muglia, Senior Vice President, Server and Tools Business
Windows Server: It's still 'Longhorn' for now
Microsoft: Longhorn Server will be Named Windows Server 200x
Longhorn Server to be christened Windows Server 2008
Longhorn Server Gets A Name: Windows Server 2008
Windows Server "Longhorn" is Now Windows Server 2008
Microsoft Windows Server 2008 logo
Windows Server 2007 removed from MSDN document
Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Released to Manufacturing
Viridian Feature Set Trimmed
Microsoft postpones ‘Viridian’ virtualization features
"Shipping is a feature"

Disclaimer Beta Software

The information on this webpage applies to software from Microsoft that was in testing phase but utilizable by experienced users by the time the webpage was written. This software has not been released for sale, distribution or usage for the general public. The information on this webpage and the beta software are provided "as is" without warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, including, but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose.