. . (not a Microsoft employee (who was the only persong who flamed me over "2003 and Beyond" (but we had a cordial email exchange after that))) when I said I expected there would be a "compatibility module" comming out strategically late, told me "there will be no compatibility module".

Now, how much he knows, I do not know. How stable Microsoft's intentions are is also highly questionable, probably to Microsoft as well as everyone else (there was to be a Longhorn Server - then there wasn't, just an "add-on" to Windows 2003 Server, now there is most definitely and irrevocably a Longhorn Server, etc.).

Microsoft is capable of adopting the attitude, "If they're with us, they'll spend the money to upgrade everyting all at once. If they won't spend the money, they're probably going to Linux eventually anyway".

What's coming out of Microsoft in the last couple of weeks is very uncompromising. Longhorn will require updating everything. Now, if they can only get it all ready at the same time . . .

This is going to be very, very fun to watch.

. . that's why I predicted the compatibility module would be late. Just as in previous transitions, it wasn't planned, but a response to threats of rebellion by the RC1 testers. The programming crew gets a late start and rushes, so the fix comes out late and has bugs up the kazoo. Routine Microsoft MO.