Does Windows Cloud equal Windows Strata?

A screenshot of Microsoft's PDC Web site, which appears to confirm the Windows Strata name.

(Credit: CNET News)

Last week, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer talked about "Windows Cloud"--the company's long-rumored cloud operating system.

At the time, though, he noted that the Windows Cloud name was not necessarily the final name. On Wednesday, an eagle-eyed blogger noticed that the Web site for Microsoft's Professional Developers Conference was listing several cloud computing sessions under the subject heading "Windows Strata." Microsoft has since taken down the Windows Strata references, but not before a number of blogs noted the listing.

In his talks last week, Ballmer quipped that by the PDC, Microsoft might even have a trademark for whatever it was going to call the cloud operating system, which he dubbed "Windows Cloud."

"We'll need a new operating system," Ballmer said in France. "Just as we have an operating system for the PC, for the phone, and for the server, we need a new operating system that runs in the Internet. I bet we'll call it Windows something. We're going to announce it in four weeks. We might even have a trademark by then."

I checked the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Web site Wednesday morning and didn't see anything under the heading "Windows Strata," but that could be just a matter of time. Microsoft might also want to have a chat with these folks.

In any case, Microsoft is expected to detail the new Internet-based developer platform, as well as Windows 7, at PDC, which starts October 27 in Los Angeles.

A Microsoft representative said, via e-mail: "As you know, Microsoft uses internal code names for pending technologies and from time to time they make their way to the public. We're looking forward to talking more about our cloud services platform at the Professional Developers Conference in Los Angeles."

It's not the first time that Microsoft has elected to break news via its PDC session listings. On Monday, I noted that Microsoft had confirmed in one of its listings that it would be making available to PDC attendees a software development kit for its Surface tabletop computer.

[Mr. Dee]

Stratus was in the back of my mind, but I was going for something more logical like Windows Live Server.

[harpazoD]

Just a thought, based on Windows past and present, they should call it "Windows Cumulus" as strata refers to a "geological formation" rather than a cloud, and cumulus is actually a cloud type. Also, according to Wikipedia, Cumulus means heap or pile in latin!

[timber2005]

Thats what I was thinking! "Wait... Strata isn't a cloud, it reffers to rock doesn't it?"

[daves_done]

LOL!!!!!

[neonorm]

Why would M$ have to check with Strata Windows? Yes the name of their company is the name of M$'s product by just switching the words, but they sell windows (actual glass windows). Trademark is simply to protect consumers from confusion and possibly fraud within an industry. Cloud Computing is not remotely in the same market as a window manufacturer so a "chat" is not needed.

[GhostAlph]

True, but I don't think Ina was being completely serious with that statement.
But, you never know. Puffy AmiYmi is nothing like Sean "<insertlatestnicknamehere>" Combs, but they were made to change their name anyway.
Besides, Microsoft being Microsoft, I wouldn't be surprised if they just buy that company if for nothing else but for the sole purpose of being the ONLY hit for "Windows" and "Strata" in Google.

[Penguinisto]

How about "cumulonimbus"? Pretty much like a thunderstorm, it'll rain on your parade if you place yourself under it... ;)

Nah, just kidding. OTOH, harpazoD is correct, though Stratus clouds (which is a cloud type) is usually associated with overcast days... it also happens to be (IIRC) a trademarked (car) name taken by the Dodge corporation.

/P

[rapier1]

Stratus actually makes sense. Stratus is from the latin for blanket or layer. If you are looking at an ubiquitous external computing environment you'd want something that blankets the environment. As far as the trademark goes - they should be fine as both the window company and the car company are in significantly different markets.

Personally, I despise the idea of cloud computing. Just another point of failure to contend with. And really, I don't think the current state of layer 2 and 3 protocols are well suited for connections of this sort.

[Vegaman_Dan]

Stratus is also a brand name used by Sirius, Sokkia (GPS units), Stratus-Communications, Stratus Pharmaceuticals Inc, Harley Davidson's motorcycle boot line, Stratus Technologies, Stratus servers (railroad use), etc. There's quite a few companies with that as part of their name, some of which are in the computer industry.

[sythara]

Does it matter what its called? Come on, different versions of Windows were called different things and none of them were really relevant or related to the product (in fact sometimes misleading). New Technology, Experience, View (vista, this is America and we speak english here), and so on.

Seriously, who cares?

[smilin:)]

q: Does windows cloud equal Windows strata?

a: No.



enjoy the conference.

[skillingssucks]

Seriously, who cares, it's Microsoft.

[Vegaman_Dan]

I would think the people attending the conference might care.

As you do not care, then you really have no reason to post, do you?

[Imalittleteapot]

Jesus, just pick a name and tell us what it is. Why do they have to hide their product names like Ninja's. Like Windows 7. It's called 7. Everyone knows it as 7. Two days before they release it they'll tell you 7 was a codename and they're actually going to call it something else. Then when someone sees Windows touch ME on the store shelf no one will know what it is. What's the PR stragety there. Just pick a cool name and go with it.

[sythara]

Actually the PR tactic here is to keep customers attention focused on them.

[Vegaman_Dan]

Calm down before you blow a gasket. You're absolutely right, it is just a name and nothing for you to get so worked up over.

[MarkAshton]

I think if they name this with some kind of 'cloud' name they're really dumb. Cloud is so...buzzwordy. It would be like naming the thing Windows Web 2.0. Hopefully they can do something a lilttle more intersting than that. Look at all the great technology names out there...Blackberry, Apple, Pentium...even Silverlight. They should do something more like that. Windows Cloud? Windows Strata? Ugh.