When your only source of information is user feedback on a rumors site, you know you're in trouble, but that didn't stop an otherwise respectable tech publication (which shall remain nameless) from publishing a story this week erroneously tying some current Microsoft beta products to Longhorn, the next Windows version. These products include "Sideshow," a Microsoft internal test product that places Internet links in a locked toolbar on the side of your screen; and MSN 8, which uses a new Dashboard component (incorrectly called a "task shelf" for some reason in the report) to provide MSN services-based links either in the MSN browser, or directly on the desktop. So what's the connection to Longhorn, you ask? Well, Longhorn will reportedly include a Start Menu replacement that will, yes, change the menu into more of a shelf or docked toolbar that's always on-screen, providing links to local services and .NET-based Web services. The report cites "tester sources"--who are apparently people that downloaded these leaked products--who say that these products are all "based on the same technology." Well, that's quite a leap of faith, isn't it?