LibriumArcana.Games

Microsoft has denied rumors that 60% of the Windows Vista code needed to be rewritten before its release in January 2007. The rumors were started by an article on Smart House, an Australian magazine. The article cited a "Microsoft insider" as claiming that 60% of Vista's code had to be rewritten due to "many problems associated with entertainment and media center functionality inside the OS," and that Microsoft was pulling some developers from the Xbox team to accomplish the task. A Microsoft spokesperson told BetaNews that this was "speculation with no demonstrable basis in fact," and that there weren't any Xbox developers moving to the Vista team. The spokesperson also stated that the next phase of Vista development will focus on "security, testing and fit/finish - not writing new code."

Massive code rewite?

Meanwhile, Smarthouse is reporting that 60 percent of the Windows Vista code has to be re-written. Reportedly, the Media Center code in the OS is in shambles, and needs to be saved by the Xbox code team. Curiosity piqued, I contacted my usual sources. In short, the story is an extreme exaggeration. I suppose this much is obvious from the mere fact that what was once a late November shipping date has now moved to January 2007: would the revelation that more than half of the code is in need of repair only translate into a two month delay? Of course not. I suppose the cynic could still invest in this rumor by arguing that the delay will stretch into 2007, but that has yet to be seen, and it really amounts to FUD at this point.

The real reason for the delay is a code problem, of course. Microsoft has admitted as such, citing security issues. My contacts are reticent to reveal additional details, other than to say that the problems apparently affect third parties, and are being taken seriously.

Exactly. I live in building 50 (live being an almost to accurate word) and there is certainly no re-write going on with MCE and no Xbox developers moving - Where the article no doubt got confused is that eHome is moving into the Home and Entertainment division from the Windows Client division. Xbox is also in the same division along with Game Studios and MS TV etc. However we're certainly not borrowing Xbox or other engineers. Remember eHome is the group that has delivered 4 OS releases in the last 4 years. If anyone knows how to deliver product on time its us.

B4UTRUST wrote:*smirks*

Blasting out 4 M$ OSes in 4 years isn't exactly something to be proud of...

now if all 4 of those OSes were as good or better then 2kPro then that's a damned fine achievement...

If they're about on par with say 98 or ME in terms of quality... then they need to be killed now before they create another crapfest