I realise that. There are extremely few programs that do have complete rewrites, but if you were to say 'Windows 7 is similar to Windows NT 3.1 because it shares the same codebase' you should be shot! Its pretty general now that referring to 'codebase' between programs, say Office 2010 and OpenOffice, means a completely different codebase, but comparing it between different versions of the same program typically refers to the situation where the code has done some very significant changes. There is a far greater difference between XP/Server 2003 and Vista than there is between Vista and Windows 7, or XP and Windows 2000 for that matter. Actually drivers did change between Vista and 7. Audio drivers have changed, networking drivers have changed, Video drivers have changed a little (WDDM 1.1 vs WDDM 1.0), although WDDM 1.0 drivers are compatible. The driver compatibility thing is a bit of bull, considering the changes I just mentioned. They should have at least numbered it 7.0 with it being called Windows 7. Afterall, at the end of the day its just the number they decide to whack on it. I still stand by what I said: 95 --> 98 --> 98SE --> ME --<> 2000 --> XP --> Server 2003/XP x64 --<> --> Vista --> 7 --> 8 In otherwords, I was using the term 'codebase' to refer to progressions through major versions. If you don't use that definition, then codebase is just another word for program. Different program, different codebase!
According to the Build Website there are "pre-conference sessions" ahead of the main event on the 12th of September. Any chance something new will be revealed then already? build windows.com/Agenda
Everything indicates that Microsoft will make available a pre-release beta already in the next week from the day July 11 where Steve Ballmer speaks at WPC 2011 about Windows 8
Nah this is certainly possible, September Private Beta for MSDN/Technet and BUILD attendees (probably leaks anyway...) Public Beta start October-January, so CES actually makes sense, though i doubt they would actually wait for this event to release a public beta.. not sure.
Yes, if MS deliver Beta 1 in September, then 4 months is enough time to deliver Beta 2 in January and then RC in March...