Hello Vienna

You know that you’ve reached a lull between beta builds of Windows Vista when bloggers latch onto the code name of the next version of Windows.

According to a comment by Robert Scoble on this thread at the Channel 9 forums, the N+1 version of Windows is no longer code-named Blackcomb. Instead, it’s going to be called Vienna.

Although Scoble is normally a reliable source, in this case I have my doubts. Vienna was the code name of Live Communications Server 2005, which was announced nearly two years ago, as this press release attests:

Microsoft Corp. today announced the opening of the beta program for Microsoft® Office Live Communications Server 2005, previously code-named “Vienna.”

It’s not like Microsoft to reuse code names. So what’s the real story? And does anyone outside of a small circle of Windows uber-geeks really care?

Update: Mary Jo Foley confirmed the new code name with a Microsoft spokesperson, who said: “The codename for Blackcomb has changed to ‘Vienna’. This does not reflect a big change for us; we have used city code names in the past. These code names are derived from cities/locations in the world known for great ‘vistas’. The kinds of places we all want to see, experience and that capture the imagination. Vienna fits with this concept. There are no additional details to share about Vienna at this time.”