Andre
Mon Mar 06 11:01:47 CST 2006
Well, with Vista, I know that the Windows Team is channeling all the
graphics rendering to the GPU (that is if your video card can handle it), if
not you will get a lower graphics tier similar to Windows XP. In the case of
XGL, the equivalent would be Windows Presentation Foundation which
represents a significant evolution of presentation technology, with the goal
of allowing developers to easily build rich and compelling user interfaces
that seamlessly integrate high-quality document and multimedia content.
"The presentation technologies in Vista allows developers to deliver an
exciting and compelling user experience by providing a full set of the
pre-packaged UI components, multimedia support, and smooth integration of
applications into the user interface. WPF is designed to take advantage of
the capabilities of specific hardware components, so that all applications
use the power of the Graphics-Processing Unit, rendering high quality, next
generation user interfaces.
WPF is exposed mainly through managed code; so for the developer the
architecture itself allows you to customize API (Application Programming
Interface) controls through inheritance. This allows you to maintain control
of appearance and input functionality without rewriting code; for example,
the keyboard is simply available without the developer having to program any
part of its infrastructure. For Layout and Localization, Avalon allows you
to resize the layout to accommodate localized content. New styles also allow
you to give your applications a consistent look and feel."
Existing Win32 based applications should continue to work normally in
Longhorn; but they will not be able to take advantage of the new features
without some degree of adaptation to the new programming model.
Here are some scenarios where a Developer utilizing Avalon can enhance an
existing Win32 based application, these include:
a.. Using the "WPF" user interface (UI) for dialog boxes of wizards.
b.. Hosting the WPF UI as a child of a Win32 window.
c.. Redesigning the appearance of existing applications so that they
resemble the WPF UI.
d.. Hosting a Win32 window as an element in the WPF UI.
e.. Hosting an ActiveX control as an WPF element.
f.. Replacing Win32 menus and toolbars with their WPF equivalents.
g.. Integrating WPF command with Win32 commands.
h.. Using drag-and-drop across WPF and Win32.
Finally, WPF graphics-rendering layer contributes new drawing and animation
features to Longhorn. These features were previously provided by using
specialized libraries, specifically the Windows Graphics Device Interface
(GDI) and Windows GDI+. To accommodate developers working with existing
unmanaged applications, Avalon's Visual API provides limited
interoperability between the Avalon Graphics System and GDI-based rendering
services.
Excerpts adapted from Developer's Guid to Intereoperability and Migration in
Longhorn version 1.0 emerging practices/guidance for early
implementers/patterns and practices.
So XGL is more of trying to be technology I say, while Microsoft is
providing a platform for developers to use and implement existing
development knowledge and strategies and tools which makes Windows Vista a
more compelling choice over competitive open source solutions.
--
--
Andre
Windows Connect |
http://www.windowsconnected.com
Extended64 |
http://www.extended64.com
Blog |
http://www.extended64.com/blogs/andre
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"Tony Sperling" <tony.sperling@dbmail.dk> wrote in message
news:eLK0qlTQGHA.1676@TK2MSFTNGP14.phx.gbl...
>I agree more or less completely, Andre - except, I haven't seen Vista yet.
> The other day, however, I came across a new acronym: (New to me, that is!)
> XGL apparently is the next buzzword on Linux. After some superficial
> investigations I saw one comment about how the concept - i.e. that
> graphics
> chip manufacturers will dump the small section of the chip that governs 2D
> processing in the near future, since there is nothing that stops the 3D
> engine to take over processing 2D information, and at a great boost in
> speed! Thus, already the graphic API's are expected to have much more 3D
> elements and transparency and stuff, than presently, and it was said that
> the technology will pop up in Vista as well, with MS developing their own
> technology - which sounds logical.
>
> So, one question: Have you seen anything of this order in your Vista, or
> even heard of any of it yet?
>
> I hit upon a couple of demo's, and I have to say it is not devoid of that
> good old 'wow potential'.
>
>
> Greetings, Tony. . .
>
>
> "Andre Da Costa [Extended64]" <andred25@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:%23wOSwVTQGHA.2828@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
>> Was just gonna post it. I also posted it to my blog, here are my general
>> thoughts:
>> I have been running Windows XP Professional x64 since April of 2005, and
>> I
>> have to say I am very pleased with the operating system and
>> responsiveness
>> of my system. The benefits are not realized from 64-bit computing itself
>> since I am running a system consist of basic desktop applications such
>> Office, Photoshop and Nero which I use everyday, none of these
> applications
>> are 64-bit native, but they run just fine.
>>
>> The system was not purchased as a future proof move, thinking that it
> would
>> run Windows Vista at full speed when its released, it was purchased
>> primarily for enthusiasm and I needed a new home system and I am pleased
>> with it. Its doing what I need and I enjoy using it everyday when I come
>> home from work. Obtaining Windows XP Professional x64 was not difficult
>> at
>> all. I had my OEM copy purchased from
http://www.directron.com
>>
>> You can purchase the trial from the following online vendors also.
>>
http://www.planetamd64.com/catalog
>>
http://www.ncix.com
>>
http://www.newegg.com
>>
http://www.zipzoomfly.com
>>
>> Hopefully though, the next major release of Windows, Vista will bring
> 64-bit
>> computing mainstream. I believe it will, since Vista will include
>> technologies that were not available Windows XP Professional x64 such as
>> Media Center and Tablet PC which are beginning to take off. So, I expect
> to
>> see more innovation from the hardware industry with desktops and mobile
> PCs
>> that can do it all. All I can say really, there is exciting stuff coming
> in
>> the 2007 to 2008 period. XP Professional x64 was just a start and does
> have
>> its benefits for targetted environments.
>>
>> Windows XP Professional x64 is definitely not an operating system for the
>> average Windows user who is doing basic stuff such as browsing the net or
>> sending e-mails and writing one page documents in Word. But it is likely
>> that by the end of this year, any PC purchased will be 64 bit enabled,
> which
>> does not necessarily mean you are ready for a 64 bit OS. But it does give
>> the user a sense of comfort knowing the capability is there ready to be
>> taken advantage of by a largely supported 64-bit OS.
>>
>> The true beneficiaries are the technical ones in the technical
> environments
>> who require the massive amounts of power this platform provides. Within
> the
>> next 2 to 3 years 64 bit computing supported hardware and software should
> be
>> more available than it is today and users will better take advantage of
>> it
>> with the appropriate applications written for the consumer market, so far
>> that is not available.
>> --
>> --
>> Andre
>> Windows Connect |
http://www.windowsconnected.com
>> Extended64 |
http://www.extended64.com
>> Blog |
http://www.extended64.com/blogs/andre
>>
http://spaces.msn.com/members/adacosta
>>
>>
>> "DP" <dennispersica@bellsouth.net> wrote in message
>> news:eSNmYTTQGHA.740@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
>> >I haven't read through all of this yet, but I thought this group my be
>> >interested....
>> >
>> >
>
http://news.com.com/Who+wants+or+needs+64+bits/2100-1006-6045931.html?part=dht&tag=nl.e703
>> >
>>
>>
>
>