New Logo for Windows NT

Several months ago I told you that the Windows 95 logo does not guaranteethat an application will run on Windows NT Workstation. To fix this problem,Microsoft is retiring the Windows 95 logo by the end of 1996 and replacing itwith a new "Designed for Windows NT and Windows 95" logo. To obtainthe logo, software vendors must submit their application to VeriTest, athird-party testing company that will check for basic compatibility (e.g.,install, uninstall, printing) on both NT Workstation and Win95. Thecomplete logo specifications are available atwww.veritest.com/nt95page.htm#overview.

By phasing out the Windows 95 logo, Microsoft will motivate a new set ofsoftware vendors to support NT Workstation by the end of this year. Vendors whorely on retail distribution will have to take NT seriously. A logo quickly showspotential customers that an application is compatible with Win95 and NT. Thelogo tells customers that on the other end of a technical support call, they canget someone who will have a basic understanding of NT--which you can't count ontoday.

So what makes us think Microsoft will get the NT requirement right thistime? The Win95 logo also required compatibility with NT but allowed toomany exceptions and loopholes. Last time, Microsoft seemed to emphasize the quantityof applications to receive the logo and relaxed the NT requirements. This time,Microsoft claims the NT requirements are tougher and the exceptions are few.Telephony API (TAPI), DirectX, a similar GUI, and so on have filled developmentgaps between Win95 and NT. However, many differences remain between the NT andWin95 APIs and dynamic link libraries (DLLs) listed in the new logospecifications. Rather than risk quality by relaxing the NT compatibilityrequirements, Microsoft must extend the 1996 deadline for vendors.

Just in case history repeats itself, Windows NT Magazine will starta new department, "The NT Penalty Box," later this year. We'll throwany application that bears the new logo and doesn't work on NT into this penaltybox, which will appear in the magazine and on our Web site. When the applicationworks on NT, the penalty will be over. You can help us by sending your nomineesby email to [email protected]. This time, no exceptions.

What about vendors who never considered Win95 for their product?Microsoft's Softimage 3D modeling package comes to mind. It requires a powerfulNT-based system (Pentium Pro with 64MB of RAM) and an OpenGL-certified graphiccard. This product will have to go without a logo because it will never run onWin95. Microsoft has no plans to create a separate Windows NT logo, so the onlyindependent, third-party verification of compatibility will be from reviews suchas those from Windows NT Magazine.

The new logo will bring new NT applications and support. But be wary of newguarantees.