The next version of the Microsoft Windows desktop is supposed to answer that question. Codenamed "Longhorn," the software is expected sometime in 2004 (probably later than earlier); Microsoft won"t yet commit to a specific target date. But that schedule"s already looking ambitious.
Microsoft has been very quiet about what precisely Longhorn will be about. I think, based on insider discussions, I know some of what it"s supposed to include. But the official silence is a cause for concern. But we know enough to say that Longhorn is already a small failure; the possibility of a big failure looms.
The small failure that"s already become apparent: After a decade spent move its consumer, business, and server operating systems onto a single code-base (XP), Longhorn will not immediately result in a new server OS.
The last time Microsoft found itself in a similar position (committed to getting an operating system out the door, yet needing more time), we ended up with the creature better known as Windows Millennium Edition. That OS escaped from Microsoft--I still can"t believe it was actually released--seemingly because Redmond needed a new operating system to sell and Windows XP was running well behind schedule.