REDMOND, Washington, 26 August — Microsoft presented the new Windows XP operating system to computer manufacturers at a party planned for the event. Co-founder and Chairman Bill Gates and Group Vice President Jim Allchin gave commemorative CDs containing the final Windows XP software to representatives from six major PC manufacturers. Gates kicked off the publicity calling Windows XP “the best operating system Microsoft has ever built.”
Windows XP is the biggest update to the consumer version of Microsoft’s flagship franchise in six years and the PC industry is hoping the product will help boost computer sales in the later part of the year. PC makers plan to release new computers loaded with Windows XP on Sept. 24, one month before the software goes retail. Typically, computer manufacturers need between four and six weeks to test and prepare a new operating system for their PCs and portables. However, local computer stores offer customers the opportunity to purchase a new “Windows XP Ready PC” today that meets the system requirements for Windows XP, allowing them to upgrade to Windows XP the day it ships.
Windows XP is scheduled to go on retail sale on Oct. 25, backed by a $200 million, four-month marketing campaign. Microsoft says Windows XP’s clean look and tight integration with the Internet will provide computer finesse for the most basic of users. Sources say the home edition will retail for $99 for upgrades to existing versions of Windows, and at $199 for the more extensive professional upgrade.
“Between 5,000 and 6,000 people have spent the past couple of years working on Windows XP,” Allchin said, including many who were up all night Thursday fixing a last-minute bug found in the code. One employee left around 12:15 a.m. because his wife was giving birth and was back in the office by 7 a.m. Microsoft also released Internet Explorer 6, which is integrated into Windows XP.
There are basically two versions of the software; home and professional. The home version focuses on average consumers and showcases a digital media player, digital photography software, and an instant messenger that supports video chats.
The professional version for businesses adds remote access capability, tighter security and more tools to help technicians manage a corporate network better.
Windows XP enables Microsoft’s product activation technology that locks the software to a particular hardware configuration. One of the most controversial issues with product activation is the need to reactivate the software if too many changes are made to the PC hardware. Significant changes to the hardware configuration of a machine will require a subsequent telephone call to reactivate the operating system.
In testing Windows XP on my notebook I was impressed by improvements in its user friendliness, stability, speed and performance. What I noticed first were significant changes to the icons, pull-down menus, and dialogue boxes. Windows XP looks a lot different than its predecessors. The desktop icons are clearer and more colorful. The graphical elements also have a more three-dimensional look. New background choices are nice, but the most impressive feature is the feeling that my computer is faster, more efficient and brand new.
Windows XP keeps track of the programs you use most and lists them, as well as your choice of a web browser and e-mail program, in a column on the left side of the start menu. Links to user directories and system utilities for things like file searching and online help are listed in a column on the right. Windows XP also cleans the desktop, so no more confusing icons all over. In addition, Microsoft has simplified the way users manage and manipulate files.
All the windows in the operating system’s “Windows Explorer” and “My Computer” file management utilities as well as the system “Control Panel” display a list of tasks that can be performed on the types of files displayed. If users find these new schemes offensive or are comfortable with the way Windows used to work it is a simple step to turn off the features.
Windows XP and Office XP will be released in the Middle East in Arabic at the same time that it becomes available in English globally.
In fact the products support over 57 languages. The ability to select the language of the user interface as well as selecting the language of the menus gives international users x-tra power. Microsoft should be saluted as a company that is paying tribute to local heritages while moving forward with technology.