by , 11:30 AM EDT, October 16th, 2003

Peter Coffee of eWeek has posted a new column that looks at the impending release of Panther, and the delay of Longhorn. He also says that many will overlook OS X Panther Server when it is released, and that it may be the more important black cat. From the article Will Apple's 'Panther' make a meal of Microsoft's 'Longhorn'?:

I would have said, a few months ago, that we should wait to compare Apple's improvements against the next-generation Windows UI , part of the package of new technologies whose "Longhorn" code name once suggested a powerful stampede--but whose leisurely pace now seems more like that of placidly grazing cash cows. By the way, be warned: a well-placed Longhorn source at Microsoft assures me that the various previews seen so far of the "Aero" look and feel are "not even close" to what the final product will feature.

But as even the most Microsoft-centered analysts are pointedly observing , Longhorn won't go up in 2005 -- or maybe even later than that -- against this year's Panther, but rather against that year's Cougar, Lynx, Leopard or Tiger -- those names already being trademarked and ready to pounce.

And I don't want to use up all of your attention in assessing the end-user experience of Panther, because it's at least as important to note the improvements in the server version of the product -- which will probably get much less attention in the forthcoming " Night of the Panther " countdown campaign.

Mr. Coffee's column is an interesting read, so stop by eWeek for the full story.

The Mac Observer Spin:

• The user experience in Panther could very well be the beginning of a new way of managing the user interface. Being able to switch views/users easily puts a new twist to multitasking and adds some efficiencies unachievable until Panther. It remains to be seen if people actually use it that way, but the potential is there.
• It is silly to compare Panther to Longhorn, especially since Longhorn is a long way off.
• It is likely that the most overlooked advancements in Panther will be in the server version, where better integration with Windows domains and other key features will make Xserve and OS X server more relevant to IT managers looking for an inexpensive, but capable server.

Still Peter Coffee never really addressed the question he used in the title of his column, so we'll answer it: Panther, along with the new G5 Macs, should cause a big stir in the coming months. We believe that, if Panther doesn't trip on its tail, Apple will enjoy an even better fiscal quarter than the one that just ended, and people may finally realize that Macs are a very good addition and alternative to a Windows environment. Since Longhorn is still too far off for Panther to swipe at, XP will have to do, and while cats prefer meat, we think Panther will enjoy devouring a bowl of alphabet soup.

Will Apple's 'Panther' Make a Meal of Microsoft's 'Longhorn'?