I'm not sure if you've all heard but in order to keep Longhorn on track for a 2006 release, Microsoft has announced that it will dramatically change a number of important aspects of it.

The most significant changes are with Office and with the new WinFS file system (if you don't know what that is, click here. First off, Office 12 (which was originally only going to be developed for Longhorn), is now going to be released long before Longhorn and will also run on Windows XP. As for WinFS, they have decided to hold off integrating it into Longhorn and will release it at some later date for the operating system.

For more information, check out:
Paul Thurrott's SuperSite for Longhorn
Microsoft revamps its plans for Longhorn
Longhorn: A Shadow of Its Former Self?
No WinFS for Longhorn

Think it'll make a difference, or do you think it'll still hit a 2007 (or later) release? I'm thining it'll take until at least 2007 based upon of the delays with Windows XP SP2 and Windows 2003 SP1.

AJ