He knows questions can sometimes be tough, but the field sales reps really are the eyes and ears of Microsoft. Eric asked that those with an issue to comment on, please write it down on the evaluation sheet provided at the door. They read every single one of those valuation comments – they do not go unused.
For example, Eric has received many comments concerning one specific issue— a modem that wasn't supported under XP. Because the modem is very popular, Eric thinks it was just one of those hardware devices that slipped through the cracks. Microsoft is starting to resolve those issues, so comments definitely are welcome. He realizes some questions may not be popular, but wants to answer those as well, because he doesn't want to be avoiding anything.
Eric's presentation was an in-depth demonstration of the core topic: Windows XP. Even though XP comes with special offers and invitations to subscribe to various providers, he focused solely on XP Home version, and on where Microsoft has been, and where they are going with it.
For the home, Microsoft has had DOS, Windows 3.1, Windows 95, 98, and Me. For businesses, there are Windows NT and Windows 2000, which many have heard of but, perhaps, have become confused about.
Just to make things a little more confusing, Windows XP uses the same essential operating system for both the home and business versions. Because of this, the home user will experience a rock-solid stable computing experience.
Compared to past Windows operating systems, DOS is not where it used to be. Microsoft is using instead the NT structure and has endeavored to make the transition as smooth and clean as is possible. Microsoft extended the development schedule a bit longer than the market would have liked, but it was necessary to make sure XP could use most, if not all, of the recent developments in hardware and software technology. Eric talked about where Microsoft has come in past couple of years and the differences between XP Home and Professional.
Microsoft wanted XP to be the operating system that strives to allow people to communicate in a secure and stable environment. Microsoft has attempted to eliminate the need for reboots, and booting from floppy has been taken away, giving users a much easier time when things may go wrong.
Microsoft has also made it easier for users to do things that have been difficult in earlier operating systems. New menus and option settings permit access to customizations that had been hidden way before. XP's user interface may be hard to get accustomed to—many users find changes to the desktop to be the most aggravating aspect of anything new. But XP can be reconfigured to look like Windows 98 if the user so chooses, or any other motif.
Benchmarking studies give Windows XP a 27% faster bootup time compared to Windows 98. Under normal operating environments, Windows 95 could last for five days before requiring a reboot, Windows 98 could go 14 days, and Windows NT for 35 days. Windows 2000 could go 220 days under normal operating environment before a system reboot smoothed things out, and for XP, 335 days—giving XP 10-13 times more stability over previous operating systems.
XP is a little bit smarter now. It can actually repair itself. It can shelter itself from critical software failures and systematically reclaim lost and fragmented memory chunks. This, Eric claims, is one of Microsoft's greatest accomplishments with Windows XP.
Other areas discussed relating to the capabilities of Windows XP include communications, audio, different file formats, digital media, and real-time support. The number one hassle for the experienced user is that all your friends know you're smart and call you for assistance during their times of trouble. Typically, you pay your friends a visit, repair their computer, and in exchange they bake you cookies, feed you dinner, give you a couple drinks, and then you are on your merry way six or seven hours later, after you find and fix all the other issues slowing down their system.
XP has greatly changed all that with "Remote Assistance," an effective remote peer-to-peer troubleshooting protocol. In the past, NetMeeting was used to accomplish lesser-capable "remote desktops," but it was very difficult to use. The general public is best served with simple "Yes/No and OK" troubleshooting wizards, and XP's Remote Assistance provides for easy, standardized system optimization and repair when used by friends, solution providers, and computer manufacturers.
The PC experience is also about "fun." It has grown beyond its "tool" phase and is now firmly situated in the hobby domain—especially when it comes to working with digital media. Some of the utilities have transferred over from Windows Me—the Movie Maker for example. But XP's new features include being able to play DVDs and burn CDs, as well as numerous other tasks that show the lack of need for a whole bunch of third party applications. The additional Windows Plus! pack ($39.95) for XP includes not only more themes than ever before, but also an MP3 converter, voice command for media player, a CD-label maker, surround-sound speaker support, and other audio support.
Windows XP Pro includes an enhanced "remote desktop," permitting clients at remote locations to log into this XP Pro machine, take control of applications, utilize its multi-processor CPU capabilities, and exploit increased communications bandwidth for VPN and Active Directory integration. XP Pro also includes "Automatic System Recovery," a technique whereby an up-to-date backup of your personal settings, e-mail, and documents is stored on a remote central server. If the workstation requires a re-installation, XP Pro can fetch that backup and restore the workstation to that users' personal configuration and replace e-mails and documents. An XP installation on a different workstation can utilize "roaming profiles," resetting that machine to look exactly like the user's personal machine.
The XP operating system's basic hardware requirements follow this rule of thumb: if the system was built January 2000 or later, there will be very little issues, if any, for upgrading. Try to have a machine 300 MHz or greater with at least 64 megabytes of RAM (128 MB would be better). Upgrading a machine with anything less will probably result in a huge disappointment. You will need at least 1.5 GB hard drive with 600 MB free for an upgrade installation—a clean install with the most common accessories will claim 1.0 GB.
The retail cost of XP Home Edition is $99.99 (Microsoft has maintained its "under a hundred dollars" pricing system) which reflects a price increase of only $10 in the past 7 to 8 years. For XP Pro, add another $100 more. XP can be upgraded from Windows 98/NT4 on up. Unfortunately, that means users of Windows 95 must pay the full installation price. Consider, however, that Windows 95 was probably installed on systems that do not meet the basic hardware requirements of XP, and Eric feels you will see why Microsoft does not support such an upgrade path. (Eric did say that users can upgrade from "anything" if installing XP Professional.)
Real-time communications include MSN Messenger, a popular instant messaging client, but not the most popular client available today. XP's version is now called ".NET Messenger" and incorporates several technologies—text, PC-to-phone, voice, video, file and application sharing, instant alerts from software vendors (McAfee virus definition file updates, for example), and "simple text messaging" to cell phones. .NET Messenger now incorporates the past Net Meeting technology without requiring any central server. Voice and video together work best over a high-speed connection (Duh!), but the new compression technology incorporated into XP allows for feasible real-time voice conversations over dial-up connections.
.NET Messenger can also instantiate a Remote Assistance session. To do this, within the .NET Messenger window, the customer would ask for a Remote Assistance connection. The technician will make the connection request and the customer will see a couple warning dialog windows pop up. These warnings inform the user that someone is attempting to take control of your machine. The user must accept the request, and after having done so, the technician can then begin work. On the technician's computer, a window displays the customer's desktop. Both the technician and the customer have simultaneous control over the customer's computer.
The customer can limit access to the machine by employing "application sharing." It is different than Remote Assistance in that the user can limit, on an application-by-application basis, just what the remote technician can do. For example, the user needs help completing an Excel spreadsheet task. The technician, or, more to the point, the tutor, can take control of only Excel, show you how to perform the task, then log off. The tutor will never have the opportunity to explore beyond the boundaries of Excel.
The key thing with computer users today is that they want the best value for the money, Eric said. With multiple users in one household, having multiple PCs in the house may become cost-prohibitive. Even though the industry has made home networks easy and affordable, often the case is that each PC, or the only PC, has been optimized for one particular user for one type of task: games, work-at-home, etc. Given that users don't like sharing, the main problem in the past is that there has been no really good way to segregate each user's information on a PC. With Windows XP, a feature called "Fast User Switching" makes the PC a "true multi-user platform."
Fast User Switching maintains the state of the system for each user (until Windows XP is shut down). Each user can have their own password-protected desktop, e-mail folder, "My Documents" folder, etc. User "Bob" can log off while waiting for a complex program to compile and let "Harry" log on. Harry can resume designing the front yard for an upcoming re-landscaping project. When he logs off to call his landscaper, "Betty" can log on to update the family's stock portfolio. Betty can even begin a lengthy download session and it will continue even after she logs off. When Bob comes back online, the compiler has most likely finished compiling his program and he can FTP it to his boss's server. Betty's download has probably finished and Harry can "print" his yard design to the FAX machine. Everyone's applications and work in progress remain up and executing, but not available to any of the other users.
Windows XP now incorporates quite a bit of the functionality found in popular "tweaking" programs. Many system settings that required a guru's level of understanding to access are now made available up front. "Customize Desktop" permits the user to add, subtract, and modify numerous icons and aspects of the user interface, including the Start button menus. There is a desktop cleanup wizard, self-activated periodically, to step you through the process of dealing with icons and other objects on the desktop that have not been used for awhile. One new folder, called "Unused Desktop Items," contains everything that you told the wizard to clean off from the desktop. New functions in the System Tray (the rightmost area of the Task Bar) include the ability to show or hide any of the objects placed there. Many of the frills and animations on the desktop can be disabled, for snappier desktop action. Eric says that Windows will forever have the e-mail and Internet browser icons stay on the desktop. However, these icons can point to whatever actual programs the user wishes, not necessarily Outlook Express and Internet Explorer.
Creating a new user is accomplished from within a slightly redesigned Control Panel, "User Accounts." In the Control Panel, about three quarters of the icons are missing compared to prior versions of Windows. Numerous controls have been grouped together, making the system more manageable. The types of accounts that can be created are "administrator" or "limited user." An administrator has full access to anything and everything on the computer. A limited user can have access to only those areas and applications declared during the time of creation. A limited user cannot make sweeping changes to the overall system which, in some cases—such as children or other users with questionable skills—is an ideal way to control their environment.
In My Documents, a new "adaptive menu" permits users to be aware of and take advantage of those options that were available on "right-click" context menus found in earlier versions of Windows. This adaptive menu changes according to the nature of the object selected. The new My Documents also gives thumbnail views of the contents in the folder and gives a "filmstrip preview" of all images found there. Digital cameras are one of the most popular consumer devices today. Eventually, you will have a respectable collection of images stored among several folders. Windows XP allows the user to put a thumbnail on the folder icon to give an indication of how the images have been sorted. The slideshow feature from Windows Me is also incorporated into XP. Windows XP also allows for seamless connection to Internet-based image printing companies. Select the image(s) and have them sent to a photo printing company at the click of the mouse.
Eric demonstrated "task bar grouping," the feature by which, when several instances of the same program are running, only one "group button" is placed on the task bar. Clicking on the group button opens a list of the several documents that are open concurrently. These documents could be several word processing documents (Word), several browser windows (IE), and a couple dozen image views (ACDSee). There will be only three buttons on the task bar instead of way too many too small buttons that say "W…," "I…," and "A…" Within each group button's context menu (right-click menu) is the ability to close the entire group, as well as each file individually.
A slow Internet connection can be a little frustrating when sending or receiving large files. Windows XP now allows for resizing images to any of several standard dimensions automatically before having them attached to outgoing e-mails. For example, a full-sized 2-megapixel image from a camera at 800 KB is converted to 640x480 with a reduced color palette for a file size of 23 KB. The reduced image is acceptable for viewing onscreen. If the recipient wishes to print it, they should then ask you for the original, full-sized image file.
When printing images, sometimes the scale factor is all wrong and you end up printing sections of the image across four pieces of very expensive paper and waste a lot of ink. Windows XP includes a "photo printing wizard," giving the user the ability to select multiple images and print full size 8x10, 4x6, wallet prints, or contact sheets.
The "My Music" folder and Windows Media Player work together to "rip" music CDs. Windows XP will automatically log on to AMG, an online CD meta-information provider. Within the My Music folder, the album art and track titles are displayed. By selecting multiple music files, a playlist is automatically generated (optionally saved to a playlist file) and each music file is opened and played in its turn.
The new Windows Media Player carried from Windows Me is just a bit smaller in file size and can have custom looks, the technique being called "skins." The Media Player can burn to CD recording devices directly, including portable MP3 players and Pocket PCs. It also has built-in DVD playback capabilities including the ability to receive quality DVD-like streaming video over 512Mbps broadband.
Windows XP comes with a new "Upgrade Advisor." Using it is an important aspect toward establishing the initial stability of the system. To begin with, Upgrade Advisor will not install on a PC that is below the recommended minimum hardware requirements. But if the system meets those specs, then Upgrade Advisor will perform a check of all hardware and software and deliver a report on those components and software that are compatible with XP and those that may require upgrading, with suggestions on how best to do that. The Upgrade Advisor is 32 MB and is also available for free from Microsoft's Web site. Best Buy, Staples, CompUSA, and other outlets have been shipped CDs containing Upgrade Advisor to be given out to customers (for free) as well. Upgrade Advisor will automatically connect to the Internet and obtain the latest catalog of XP-compatible device drivers and lists of software versions. Microsoft is concerned that those who upgrade to XP without foreknowledge of any potential incompatibilities may actually end up with an unbootable system. Microsoft highly recommends that all users who are thinking of upgrading to XP obtain and run Upgrade Advisor.
For a review of the technologies introduced into Windows XP—Remote Assistance, Media Player, etc.—go to Microsoft WindowsXP. At Microsoft Catalog is the page that lists certified hardware and software. At Microsoft Expert Zone is a great place to learn how to tinker with XP and to obtain TweakUI and PowerToys for XP. Discussion forums give users access to hints, tips, and solutions to problems that were encountered and solved by other users.
Q. With multiple users, does each user have their own cookies?
A. There is a separate area for each user's cookies. Under My Computer, there are separate folders for each user under "Documents and Settings" as well as a shared documents folder. This was introduced in Windows NT and 2000 and has been carried forward to Windows XP.
Q. When adding a new user, if declaring oneself as an "Administrator," does one need permission from any other administrator to do this?
A. To create a new user, the system must have an administrator already logged on. It is the administrator's responsibility to create new user accounts, whether this new account is a limited user or another administrator.
Q. The Entrega "Serial to USB" converter has Windows 2000 drivers but XP has the hardware on the "protection list." How does one force the removal of this item from the list so that the W2K drivers can be installed? These drivers actually work with XP.
A. Unknown at this time. Although there are good reasons why a device may be in the list—stability, for example—more information may be forthcoming from Microsoft regarding editing the "protection list."
Q. How well does Windows XP network with Windows 98?
A. In a mixed network environment, Windows XP (Home edition included) has not been shown to have any issues with expected functionality.
Q. In Remote Desktop from a laptop to a desktop at home, do both machines have to be online?
A. Of course. Do not be confused between Remote Desktop and Remote Assistance. With RA, both machines can be running either the Home or Professional edition, with both users actively using the controlled machine. With RD, the machine being remotely controlled is typically un-manned, acting like a server, and must be running the Professional edition.
Q. What kind of compatibility issues does XP have with DOS programs that run fine in Windows 98?
A. The same issues existed in Windows 2000. DOS-based programs no longer have exclusive access to the machine because W2K and WXP no longer provide for a boot into a pure DOS environment. Windows has always had simulated DOS environments from a command prompt window. Most users have been having good luck running DOS apps this way, but if necessary, Microsoft recommends that the user set up the machine so that it could dual boot into a pure DOS environment when necessary.
For older software, DOS or Windows, Microsoft distributes regular updates to its compatibility library, so far 1,500 tweaks and fixes to misbehaving software. For software neither tested nor certified by Microsoft, Windows XP provides for an "emulation mode." Under Accessories, use the Program Compatibility Wizard to have Windows XP operate in a defined manner to accommodate such programs—to operate in W95 mode, for example.
Two other applications not shipped with XP are available. Go to Microsoft MSDN and search for XP advanced compatibility mode applications. (Microsoft Windows XP Application Compatibility Toolkit 2.0 is one such application that can force XP to run 16-bit DOS apps.) Anti-virus applications and certain other deep-level system access applications cannot be accommodated by any compatibility mode.
Q. If I print half a page of wallet-sized images, can I then go back later and specify exactly where on the page I want to print some more?
A. The "Image Printing Wizard" does not have that kind of functionality. Microsoft will certainly consider it for the next version.
Q. How dependent is Windows XP on an Internet connection?
A. Certainly the computing experience for today's user is heavily dependent on access to the Internet. But if, while using Windows XP, you do not need to download any of the new drivers, or if you have XP pre-installed on an out-of-the-box complete computer system, then most of your computer usage will be just fine. But be aware of the awesome resource that Microsoft makes available at its "Windows Update" page. Keeping Microsoft's operating systems up to date is becoming more and more important. The update page also makes available to the user access to updated third-party device drivers—one-stop shopping, so to speak. But there is no significant loss of usage or performance if Windows XP is not online.
Q. Does the Upgrade Advisor merely report on compatibility issues or does it actually make any changes on the fly to make XP compatible to software and hardware already installed?
A. As an example, the UA detects a simple SMC network card. When the UA is run, it first makes sure it has the latest catalog from Microsoft. In this catalog is a mention of the latest SMC drivers for Windows XP. So, during a certain phase of XP's installation, you will be given the opportunity to get those drivers. You will not receive a warning from UA that the current drivers might not be compatible with XP since you will eventually download and have them installed. UA does not do any system fixes of its own.
