Aero & Longhorn
A closer look
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WinCustomize Forums
WinCustomize Forums
This seems to get tossed around quite a bit in terms of what Aero will require.
First off, Aero is the code-name for the user experience for Longhorn.
In Windows XP, we had "Luna" to describe the new user experience. It's a combination of the overall "look" of the OS along with basic usability details.
There are currently 4 different experiences planned depending on your hardware requirements. 3 of them are Aero-derivatives:
Level 1: Classic Windows. This is the same as Classic mode in Windows XP.
Level 2: Aero Express. This is akin to the Windows XP style. It'll be pretty basic but have the new general look and feel.
Level 3: Aero Glass. This will require a decent video card that supports DirectX 9. This will probably be the most common look we'll see with Longhorn initially.
Level 4: Aero "Diamond" (not sure if this will be the final name). This is the ultimate experience and you'll need a pretty good video card (i.e. 128 meg at least with very good LDDM drivers).
Any Longhorn-like skins you've seen so far would be, at best, close to Aero Express.
WinSuperSite has a screenshot of an Aero-Express look and feel showing off the new Explorer look. It's just a prototype but it gives an indication of where Microsoft may be going.
First off, Aero is the code-name for the user experience for Longhorn.
In Windows XP, we had "Luna" to describe the new user experience. It's a combination of the overall "look" of the OS along with basic usability details.
There are currently 4 different experiences planned depending on your hardware requirements. 3 of them are Aero-derivatives:
Level 1: Classic Windows. This is the same as Classic mode in Windows XP.
Level 2: Aero Express. This is akin to the Windows XP style. It'll be pretty basic but have the new general look and feel.
Level 3: Aero Glass. This will require a decent video card that supports DirectX 9. This will probably be the most common look we'll see with Longhorn initially.
Level 4: Aero "Diamond" (not sure if this will be the final name). This is the ultimate experience and you'll need a pretty good video card (i.e. 128 meg at least with very good LDDM drivers).
Any Longhorn-like skins you've seen so far would be, at best, close to Aero Express.
WinSuperSite has a screenshot of an Aero-Express look and feel showing off the new Explorer look. It's just a prototype but it gives an indication of where Microsoft may be going.
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