December 7, 1998 Web posted at: 10:00 AM EST by Bob Trott

From...

(IDG) -- Microsoft is telling Windows 2000 beta testers to expect Beta 3 of the next-generation operating system in late February or March 1999, according to sources.

"March is more likely, but February is not entirely out of the question," said one West Coast developer and Windows beta tester, who requested anonymity. Beta News, a Web site for testers, reported that Microsoft was shooting for February to release Beta 3.

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Microsoft officials had no comment on the beta schedule or the time frame in which it hopes to ship Windows 2000, which consists of three server pieces -- Windows 2000 Server, Windows 2000 Advanced Server, and Windows 2000 Datacenter Server -- and Windows 2000 Professional, the former NT Workstation.

Although Microsoft has said Windows 2000 will be released sometime in 1999, speculation about the technology's debut has ranged anywhere from March 1999 to 2000. The company has said Datacenter Server, a new product aimed at high-end enterprises, will be available 60 days after the other Windows 2000 offerings ship.

Beta 2 of Windows 2000 was released in August, when it was still known as Windows NT 5.0.

Bob Trott is a senior editor at InfoWorld, based in Seattle.