WinFS – it's a big deal and now it's a Beta 1

Channel 9 has a great video showing some of the early power of WinFS. This is a big deal and the demo’s look great.

Although the file system is as basic a filing system as you could imagine I know loads of people who simply do not think in that type of structured manner. They think by tags and categories and types.

WinFS will make it possible for these people to get the visualisations they require without compromising the safety of the data, or their productivity. Whilst the Beta 1 looks great in terms of the foundation, it will be the different UI experiences that make it a truly big deal.

Multiple paths to the same end make for an absolute nightmare for support though. Image that someone is used to getting there in a particular way and the support person tells them a different way; what will they do?