4-16 13:58:33 EDT, [log in to unmask] (Glenn Cole)
writes:
 
>
>    In a separate article at the same site, Mr. Gates stated that Cairo
>    (NT with a W95 interface, as I recall) and Memphis (W95 without the
>    DOS foundations) are now scheduled for late '97/early '98.
>
>    FWIW.
>
 
That is incorrect.  Cairo is the next major version of NT which is supposed
to be completely object oriented and will have support for PnP, mobile
computing and Power management, amongst other things.
 
Windows NT 4.0 now in wide beta distribution and due for release this summer
is essentialy NT 3.51 with the Windows 95 interface, improved graphics
performance, the Internet Information Server (IIS) and TAPI.
 
Nashville, which was supposed to be Windows 96 has been pre-empted and as
such will not come out as a release.  Windows 95 has only shown a few bugs,
mainly dealing with Netware integration, infra-red printer connections and
security issues.  These issues have already been addressed with a service
pack available free from the Microsoft web site.  It was made available in
late-February, early March.   There may be more service packs between now and
the release of Windows 97 code-name Memphis.  The aim seems to be Windows NT
server and workstation for business and Windows 9x is home and mobile
computing use.
 
Any notebook from a reputable company, no older that 12-18 months, will shine
with Windows 95.  If you have a docking station, as I do with my Compaq
410cx, you can take advantage of warm docking, or hot docking, depending on
your system.  You can also have multiple configuration with automatic
recognition of devices and multiple network clients.  The power management in
Windows 95 really stretches the battery(ies) of your notebook.
 
Windows NT is currently not the way to go for Mobile Computing as it lacks
drivers for various PC-cards and power management is non-existant.  Further,
NT is not good at multiple configurations.
 
Windows 97 will see closer integration between Windows NT and the Windows 9x
platform. Microsoft plans to announce a new strategy called Worldwide Windows
Driver Model which will allow manufacturers to build drivers which can run on
both NT and Windows 9x. Windows 97 is also supposed to use the Windows NT
kernel.  I also heard voice recognition will play a big role in Windows 97.
 
Windows 95 is an operating system in its own right.  It does not run on top
of DOS but it does have knowledge of DOS.  This was required in order to
support the various DOS-based games and applications which people would have
on their systems.
 
One of the big problem with Windows 95 has been the drivers.  Many people
have devices for which no 32 bit protected mode drivers were/are available.
 Also, the 32 bit drivers which shipped with Windows 95 were the A.00.00
variety.  In the 6-9 months since the release of Windows 95, manufacturers
have released newer versions of their drivers.  I discuss all these issues in
my Window 95 TnT page at the Hicomp web site.  If you find that Windows 95 is
slow or unreliable or gets strange errors, I suggest that you visit the site
and read or download the Win95TnT page.
 
Kind regards,
 
Denys. . .
http://www.hicomp.com/hicomp