I remember reading a blog entry a while back that stated that Scoble stated that the sidebar was being dropped from LH, at the time I didn't have time to fully investigate.
I guess tomorrow we will find out if the next winhec 2k5 build as it will probably become to be known has it or not.
I have 2 concerns about it. As I sit and look for Wide Screen LCD Monitors, I find it interesting that in the HDTV market they are easy to find in the higher sizes the tend to drop to edtv modules at the “15”in range. The reason I bring this up was that the article seemed to hint that the reason that Side bar was being dropped because of screen real estate issues.
A HD Monitor, (or a better description) a Wide screen LCD monitor that allows for 16:9 aspect ratio with the capability of displaying ATSC Signals at 720p 1080i (and hopefully 1080p (hoping I am remember all of the lines correctly) would account for most of the Lost screen real estate given the wider screen as compared to the standard 4:3 platforms in use today.
In particular. HD MCE's will be pushing for Wide screen formats, but I believe there will be a “need” for it as xbox 360 issues in the era of HD gaming. Actually I believe that MS would be dropping the Ball in the PC arena if they were not pushing for HD gaming in the PC area also with the Release of LH.
what are your thoughts
One of the biggest Hobbyist platforms out there are the development of Levels, new assets, scripting etc for Games.
Looking at games Like Doom. Neverwinter Nights etc etc. the great part is when the game designers release some of the tools to allow for the community to build beyond what was originally delivered in the game.
With the Advent of XNA, and its Team System delivery and the talk at the GDC and other platforms of implementing a scripting platform in C# or VB.net.
I see the perfect inroad for MS to support the Hobbyist to the professional team developer around the XNA platform. MS has already announced the XNA studio, so the the professional level system is already in design.
There is time because a common game mid to high content game takes 2 to 3 years to develop if not longer. I believe with an Express edition that caters to a XNA development for additional content for games at the community level with eyes to move on to standard and professional for the more experienced user would be a winning combination.
It would give incentive for Game developers to develop more tools with an eye on the managed platform especially when developing with an eye to allow for community expansion.
Beyond games would be MCE and a few other platforms. but gaming brings alot to the table for those of us that dabble in the platform.
any thoughts??