Microsoft cancels WinFS

http://www.betanews.com/article/microsoft_axes_winfs_cancels_beta_2/1151208143
from WinCustomize Forums
What a surprise.....

"The lead program manager for WinFS, Quentin Clark, has announced that his product is no more -- at least in its current form. Just one week after a slew of WinFS sessions at TechEd, Microsoft has decided not to continue development on the new file system, canceling the expected Beta 2 release.

Although the status of WinFS has already changed a number of times, it seems Microsoft has finally given up on once-lofty plans to completely re-architect the way Windows stores files. The idea of WinFS, or Windows File Store, was to create a "sea of data" that abolishes the need for the standard file and folder hierarchy"



microsoft
2,299 views 10 replies
Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top
This is going to haunt MS for ages.
I'm well annoyed that this project is put dead. It was one of my favorite features in Longhorn when they announced it. Then they dropped it from Vista and then totally.
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Reply #3 from JoeUser Forums Top
Pfft, I doubt it. I think they are highly motivated NOT to include snazzy features sometimes, given that people buy their products with or without them. I think they probably pondered it and realized that they would spent more in development getting this out soon than they'd get back in terms of sales because of it.

Since whatever comes after Vista will be mainly competiting with Vista, they need to put the least amount of glitz and glamor they can in it while making people feel like they got their money's worth. They probably decided that what is now called FS would be more mature later on, and would be a big perk to upgrading then. With all the new stuff in Vista, they probably felt they were giving away FS for nothing.
Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top

With all the new stuff in Vista, they probably felt they were giving away FS for nothing.

That's a thought, Baker.  The old adage "there's always next time"....

Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top
If Microsoft does wait to put WinFS in the version after Vista, I hope they don't wait another 5+ years...
Reply #6 from JoeUser Forums Top
I wish I could say this news surprises me, but Microsoft creates vaporware so often it's pathetic. I'm sure they'll ressurect this one later on as they get competition from Google and others, and as they realize that they're hitting the top ends of effectiveness in the old Windows supported file systems.
Reply #7 from JoeUser Forums Top

Since whatever comes after Vista will be mainly competiting with Vista, they need to put the least amount of glitz and glamor they can in it while making people feel like they got their money's worth. They probably decided that what is now called FS would be more mature later on, and would be a big perk to upgrading then. With all the new stuff in Vista, they probably felt they were giving away FS for nothing.

I have seen that from MS many times, yet this:

it seems Microsoft has finally given up on once-lofty plans to completely re-architect the way Windows stores files.

tends to indicate it is dead dead, not just in hibernation.

Reply #8 from JoeUser Forums Top
Note the:

"has announced that his product is no more -- at least in its current form. "


...though. I don't think microsoft every really trashes anything completely, and it is pretty obvious that they HAVE to improve on the file system eventually. I doubt seriously they'd start over from square one. More likely they wieghed the hype everything in Vista is getting and decided to shove it back to the next windows version. Don't give the kids all the candy at once, or they won't appreciate half of it.

It didn't make sense to release it after the release of Vista anyway. Who knows, though, maybe they came up with some great new DRM scheme that requires a HAL-style overseer with a nice, soft voice saying "I can't let you do that, Dave..."
Reply #9 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Or...

"My mind is going.........."..........

Reply #10 from WinCustomize Forums Top
though. I don't think microsoft every really trashes anything completely, and it is pretty obvious that they HAVE to improve on the file system eventually. I doubt seriously they'd start over from square one.


Touche. But when? I think post BG.