New Windows Operating Systems: Windows XP
New Windows Operating Systems: Windows XP |
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Richard H. Wiggins, III, MD has reported no financial interest, arrangement or affiliation with a commercial organization that may have a direct or indirect influence in the subject matter of this presentation.
Objectives
Contents
Once again, Microsoft has promised the most stable operating system (OS) ever in Windows XP, successfully incorporating the security and stability of Win 2000 with the interactive support and digital capabilities of Win 98 and ME.
This OS also incorporates many new features such as support for digital peripherals, wireless networking, as well as a retrograde capability to run programs created for earlier OSs such as Win 95 and 98. This new OS, however, comes along with several "features" that have lead to great controversy. The biggest of these is the product activation process, an attempt by Microsoft to decrease software piracy.
There is always a risk involved with an OS upgrade, so remember to back-up your data, but I have both upgraded an earlier OS (Win 2000, on a laptop) and purchased a new system pre-loaded with Win XP (desktop), and have been o working with the OS for a few months, prior to writing this review, without serious problems. This review will be divided into several sections, touching on Win XP "features", followed by a conclusion with final impressions on the new Microsoft OS.
The short conclusion for possible upgraders is that this is a worthwhile upgrade from Win 95, 98, 98 SE, and ME, but not necessarily for users of Win 2000. This is certainly the most significant Microsoft OS upgrade since Win 95.
There are two versions of Win XP, Home and Professional. The Home version is about half the price as the Professional version for the upgrade, and 2/3 the cost of the full version. Both of these run on the same new 32-bit kernel architecture and driver sets, incorporating the stable Win NT and 2000 drivers. This is a significant difference from the Win 95 through ME OSs, which utilized the 16-bit architecture, finally leaving DOS behind. Both are also more stable and faster than earlier Win OSs. In a significant change from prior upgrades, however, Win XP uses helper programs to ensure a smooth upgrade installation from earlier versions (except Win 95), doing an impressive job at saving system settings and preferences, even complex settings like Winsock connections for a Cable modem. Those upgrading will see an increase in most speeds, including start-up, restore, and shut down, with the exception of Win 2000 users [1-3].
The Home edition has added several digital features for users
not in prior OSs, many of which have been improved from the Win ME
multimedia features. There is a limited digital video editing program, a
more advanced media player, and improved CD-burning interface incorporated
into Windows Explorer. There is also increased 3-D performance for gaming
use. The Home edition is basically for those without the need of high-end
features of the more technically inclined.
The Professional version includes all features of the Home version, with
the addition of several corporate desktop type management tools. These are
predominantly administration tools such as IP-based encryption, an
Encrypting File System, an Active Directory to manage portable user
accounts, and domain controllers for login validation. There are increased
abilities for saving personal preferences, for those multiple users on a
single system. There is also a remote access feature only in the Pro
version, as well as support for multiprocessors and multi-monitor display
settings. Most home users will be satisfied with the Home version, but if
the user plans to telecommute or connect to a network, the Pro version is
preferable [1-4].
There are a few noticeable absences from Win XP, however, such as USB 2.0 support. This is the new USB data transfer protocol, allowing a theoretical transfer rate of 480 Mbps, higher than the popular Firewire 400 Mbps rate, and much higher than the USB 1.0 (and USB 1.1) rate of 12 Mbps. There is also no support for the Bluetooth wireless networking protocol, which is becoming more popular with wireless Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) devices. Both USB 2.0 and Bluetooth support are expected in new PCs shipping by the end of 2002, and drivers will reportedly be available soon on the Microsoft Web site. There is native support for 802.11b wireless LAN access. The new Windows Media Player v 8.0 surprisingly incorporates no MP3 file encoding support (so that other audio files cannot be saved as or exported as an MP3 file) [2-4].
The new version of Internet Explorer, 6.0 (IE6), packaged with Win XP does incorporate limited Firewire protection, and increased privacy settings, with advanced cookie (small text files that another web site will store on your hard drive, to recognize your computer when you return to that site) controls. However, IE6 surprisingly (or not) does not include native JavaScript support (Microsoft has been competing with the popular Java engine from Sun Microsystems with their own version) [1-6]:
There have not been many significant additions to IE6 from IE5.5. One new feature is the media button on the tool bar. When the user clicks on this button, a new window opens, occupying a portion of the window to the left, and allows media such as streaming video to be displayed here, while the user continues surfing, but at a small size:
There is the nice addition of the "Print Preview" option from the "file" menu, that lets you see the Web page before you print it out, and IE6 is able to handle graphics better, sizing larger images to fit the window, without forcing the user to scroll endlessly [5,6].
There have been multiple reports of various bugs with IE6 (especially with JavaScript from Sun Microsystems, and QuickTime files from Apple), as well as with Win XP (most discussed is the many problems with wide-open hacker entrances in Microsoft Outlook email program), but these rarely have caused the entire system to crash. Most problems result in closing and restarting a single program [1-4]. Microsoft has graciously allowed users to feel more involved in software development, by giving you the option of sending error reports back to them, when you have problems with certain programs. Of course, no personal information, such as your name, address, or email address is included in this information, as Microsoft points out to you.
In addition to the activation controversy, the "Evil Empire" has continued some of its old tactics, often hounded by the technology press, incorporating seemingly third party software with the OS, which it refers to as "bundling to help the user enjoy greater interactivity". Examples include IE 6.0 (competing with Netscape Navigator), Windows Media Player (competing with Real Networks' RealOne Player), Increased CD creation abilities through Windows Explorer (competing with Roxio Easy CD Creator), Remote Desktop and Remote Assistance (competing with pcAnywhere and Timbuktu Pro), Windows Messenger (competing with AOL Instant Messenger), and several more [1-4].
This review of this new operating system will focus on a few of the more significant advances, or "features" found in Windows XP.
The Auto Run Wizard on the Windows XP upgrade disc is definitely the easiest OS upgrade from Microsoft. Initially, there are four choices from the Wizard: Install Windows XP, Install optional Windows components, Perform additional tasks, and Check system compatibility. The Upgrade Advisor will scan the users system and give information about system requirements, and potential driver incompatibilities, also supplying links to possibly upgrades available from other vendor's Internet sites.
Microsoft recommends a minimum processor clock speed of 300 MHz or greater, at least 128 MB RAM, and 1.5 GB hard drive space available. I would recommend at least a 400 MHz processor, from either AMD or Intel, and 256 MB RAM at a minimum. During the installation of XP, there is a Dynamic Update feature, which will search for, and download new patches and drivers required for Win XP from Microsoft. The upgrade from Win 2000 took less than an hour, and is much less painful than any other Microsoft OS upgrade, requiring little input from the user [3-5].
There is a significant increase in performance of Win XP from Win 98 and ME, possibly up to a 20% increase, and similar performance compared to Win 2000 [1-4].
One of the biggest controversies with Win XP has been the product activation, or Windows Product Activation (WPA). In an effort by Microsoft to decrease software piracy, they have enacted a complex system for activating software, which has caused near rioting from some ITS administrators. The installation is the easiest of prior Microsoft OSs, however, adding to the step of entering the long CD key, well know to all who have upgraded previously.
If you purchase a system with Win XP loaded, you will likely not have to activate the product, as the manufacturer has likely already done this for you. In addition to the CD key for installation, there is another step now, called "Activation" by Microsoft. After installing Win XP, the user has 30 days to activate the product (a similar step for Win XP Office users with 30 start-ups of one of the software packages in Office). This is an effort by Microsoft to keep people from installing on more than one computer. The Online activation is quick, but the Activation by phone, for those without Internet access, or higher suspicious level of the "Evil Empire", can be a painful 15 minutes or more, with lots of random digit typing.
One of the biggest complaints for ITS teams is the re-activation process. The activation number is configured to the computer setup including components, such as RAM configuration, network, and video cards, CPU, hard drive, etc. If five or more of these components are changed, the user must then re-activate the product, reportedly forcing the user to call Microsoft, explain the upgrades, and ask permission to once again use the software and re-activate.
Many in the ITS world believe this activation is too invasive, and bring up famous Microsoft stories of "Big Brother" watching its users at all times. Microsoft insists that this process requires only the country of use of the product, without any other personal information from the user. Registration is a separate process, and does require a name and address.
There are, of course licensing discounts for bulk sales and discount additional computer licenses for home users [1-4].
The new bubbly, neon-colored Graphical User Interface (GUI) of Win XP is much cleaner than prior versions. This includes the use of Microsoft's Clear Type, a kind of sub-pixel font rendering, making text easier to view, even at various screen resolution settings, especially useful for LCD connections. There is also an easier to use and more intuitive start menu and task bar.
The start menu is divided with the left half holding commonly used programs that can be assigned, and the right half with desktop items and expanding as with prior OSs. There is an option to revert to the "Classic" appearance, for those who are overwhelmed, to go back to the Win 2000 appearance of the start menu and desktop.
The task bar also has some additions; such as the ability to group open windows by file type by application, and there are also expanded options for folder viewing, and other desktop settings. The Window Explorer also got a facelift, with a left window with common operations. This also adds to the better GUI in terms of changing WIN XP appearance and getting around the system easier.
Also new to XP is a more advanced Search function, which has replaced the "Find" function in Win 98 (including a helpful little dog, for those of you who missed the talking paper clip). The dog can thankfully be dismissed for a more advanced search parameters.
Finally, there is now the ability to group items within a folder by their type. All of these additions make the GUI of Win XP much cleaner, and the user now has an increased ability to change and set personal preferences for the Task bar, Start menu, and the display of folders in Windows Explorer [1-6].
Win XP incorporates the increased multimedia capabilities of Win 98 and ME in a more stable system. There are increased plug-and-play abilities and native CD-R support from the Windows Explorer window. The autoplay feature has been extended to scan new media types, such as an inserted CD ROM, and ask the user what he/she wants to do with the media.
There is also a basic video editing software included, Windows Media Maker, which has some significant improvements from the original version bundled with Win 98, and can compress files to Windows Media (.wmv) which are a suitable size for email attachments.
One nice set of features added to the Windows Explorer are the view options additions. The Browser window can display items within a folder as the original “details” set, or as thumbnails. Explorer can also display files as a filmstrip, with the images.
Also improved were the abilities of Windows Picture and Fax Viewer. New additions of rotate, zoom, and the ability to page through images in a folder.
The new Windows Media Player 8.0 does have improved abilities to handle audio and video files, as well as the ability to copy audio files from a CD, similar to Real Jukebox, and the additional feature of basic CDR/CD-RW creation capabilities.
Not surprisingly, Windows Media Player will not play Real Media files, such as Real Audio or Video, but since Real Player (now RealOne - and no longer freeware, although the earlier free version of RealPlayer 8.0 is a partially hidden link on their Web site) will not play Windows Media files, I would not hold your breath. In general, Win XP has increased plug-and-play abilities, and handles most types of digital media better than prior OSs, at least without third-party plug-ins [1-6]. The "Options" in Windows media player are preselected to copy audio files from a CD as Windows Media Audio files instead of MP3 files, and the system was set to “Protect Content” which basically means protecting you from “accidentally” copying an audio file from one system to another or recording it to another CD.
Some nice features of the Win XP Control Panel are worth mentioning. The GUI is obviously different, however the user has the option of clicking on "Switch to Classic View" to see a panel similar to Win 98/2000. The layout of the control panel is also significantly changed, with a much easier interface, often able to guide the user through simple tasks, which would have been relatively complicated with Win 95 or 98, such as the Appearance and Themes link. There has also been a significant improvement in the Help available from Win XP through the Control Panel.
One of the extremely helpful functions (loosely translated as: "it has already saved me twice") under the control panel is the System Restore ability of Win XP, under the Performance and Maintenance link above. The system periodically (according to settings) can take a snap shot of the system settings, and you can actually restore the settings to an earlier date. This function is invaluable, as anyone can imagine who has ever loaded some software that crashed their system, or worse changed something they might not notice immediately, until it was too late.
Another nice addition is the Windows Update function. Again, preferences can be set to check for Windows updates with helpful Microsoft applets, or the user can periodically click on the Windows Update link to go to the Microsoft Web site and search for updates particular to their system. These updates will automatically be searched for and found for a particular system with the applet.
The site will then scan the users system, and check the Microsoft database for updates that may be helpful to the user, and then list the updates, giving the user the chance to choose which ones to install [1-6].
Now that over half of the United States has Internet access [7], networking and Internet interactivity will become increasing important, as more software will include live Internet upgrading, support, and other similar services. Obviously, the Internet plays a significant part with Win XP. Before the installation even begins, the Upgrade Wizard connects to the Microsoft site, and scans the user's system to look for system requirements and available updates that might be needed specific to the users system.
The same types of wizards are very helpful with network settings, such as configuring a LAN or installing network cards. Win XP also includes support for "bridging", connecting different network standards on a single PC, such as connecting wireless 802.11b connection, and an Ethernet connection on a single desktop.
Once you are online, the sales pitches start coming, with multiple messages trying to get the user to connect to the new Microsoft Messenger, Microsoft .NET services, and Microsoft Passport. Microsoft Messenger is an updated MSN Messenger instant messenger system, to compete with AOL instant messaging. This is a rework of the Microsoft NetMeeting software, which enhances 2-way audio and video, such as video conferencing. It is a bit surprising, however to find that Microsoft Messenger is not compatible with NetMeeting. Another nice ability of Microsoft Messenger is the easy ability to connect computers for audio and video sharing.
The Remote Assistant and Remote Desktop feature allows another user somewhere else to see your desktop, and even control the mouse and programs on your computer. This feature can be linked through an email message, allowing easy connections between devices. This is a nice feature for telecommuters and those with important files on multiple computers at different locations), very attractive to ITS, competing with pcAnywhere and Timbuktu Pro.
The connection settings allow other users to use video conferencing, as well as share applications, and a whiteboard.
This is also a simple way to move files from one computer to another. Networks speeds will vary, obviously, but small text and audio files transfer instantaneously on our LAN (mostly ATM, with a T1 backbone), and it took 117 seconds to transfer a 700 MB file. This is much easier then transferring files by removable media (floppy disc/CDR/Zip disc) and faster than emailing the files to your self, especially with some popular Internet "free" email accounts having limits on size of attachments:
The Microsoft .NET service and Passport are a crucial element in the Microsoft .NET Platform strategy. These allow a user to move through the Internet between sites with a kind of digital wallet with funds information as well as identification, at least between Microsoft Web-based sites and their partners. This is competing with many online services such as Amazon.
One nice addition to Win XP is the basic firewall support. There is an XP Internet Connection Firewall to allow some online anonymity when surfing, and preventing many script-based hackers [1-6].
Future Directions
In some ways, it is difficult to evaluate Win XP as the "best OS from Microsoft", when they are working so hard on a newer operating system, even before the release of Windows XP, and even the OS to follow the OS to follow XP. This is not necessarily surprising, since Microsoft has released new OSs almost yearly for the past 5 years. The OS following XP has been named Longhorn, which is rumored to include new relational file storage architecture, as well as a new P2P (peer-to-peer) version of collaborative workgroups, suggesting an advanced product similar to Microsoft NetMeeting. Microsoft has also begun serious development of the OS to follow Longhorn, Blackcomb (expected 2005 release), and Yukon, the next iteration of Microsoft SQL server, is rumored for release 2003, with advanced incorporation of the Microsoft .NET Platform, with increased storage flexibility [8-10].
In general, Longhorn is believed to be a relatively small upgrade from XP, while Blackcomb is perceived as a more substantial new OS, significantly incorporating the Microsoft .NET platform. There is a great deal of confusion as to just what this Microsoft .NET platform is, however. In some ways, this is a platform independent software platform, described by some as a higher level of language similar to JavaScript, which will incorporate various levels of metadata, or data about data. The Java language is an object oriented C-style language (not platform independent) that uses the Java Virtual Machine (JVM) to compile the source code. Obviously, this complicated discussion will become clearer as Microsoft releases these next OSs. Initial reports of some .NET sites have reported problems with availability, security, and Win XP Automatic Upgrade incompatibilities [9-12].
To Upgrade, or not to Upgrade? As with most OSs, there are certainly good and bad sides of Win XP. The most common question for computer consultants is "should I upgrade?" If you are a home user, running Win 98, 98 SE, or ME, the upgrade to the Win XP Home version is definitely worthwhile, especially if you have a problem with system freezing or crashes. Anyone running these OSs who is familiar with the blue screen of death will greatly enjoy Win XP. Those same OS users involved in administrative duties or telecommuting, multi-monitor or multiprocessor use, or any networking above a simple home LAN, should look into Win XP Pro. Laptop users will also like XP, but should get Win XP Pro. The Advanced Configuration and power interface (ACPI) from earlier OSs helps with battery life and hibernation times, and Win XP Pro easily takes the few various PC cards I have tried, including being just fine with removing and inserting Xircom network cards while working. USB devices all work well, with XP recognizing devices, looking for drivers, and installing them, independent of the user.
For example, this is a progression of screen captures from when I plugged in a USB Zip external drive to my Win XP desktop, which was plugged into a power outlet, but that I had never used before with this system, and never loaded drivers for:
Followed immediately by:
and then by:
and finally:
As you can see from the times at the bottom, this process took under a minute, about 10 seconds, actually, and I was ready to use the Zip drive. This could have easily taken an hour or more with Win 95, loading drivers, and repeatedly connecting, and disconnecting the device.
For those highly dependent on 16-bit DOS programs, Win XP will not be a wise upgrade. These users will likely never migrate above Win 98. Those users at academic institutions will likely have to argue with their ITS before upgrading, at least with permission, to ensure Win XP support from their staff. Historically, Microsoft new OSs have sometimes lead to implementation problems, and a general dread from ITS about supporting multiple OSs. Those running Win 2000 might not see much advantage to the upgrade to Win XP, outside of the different GUI (which is available through shareware programs for earlier OSs who like to pretend). There will be a noticeable speed increase from Win 98, NT, and ME however, with the Win XP OS. Big limitations will be cost and horsepower of your system. I would not try to go to Win XP on a processor less than a Pentium III 400 MHz, with fewer than 256 MB RAM.
In general, for those working in the Windows environment, XP is highly recommended, and the pluses have outweighed the minuses for the first few months. This was definitely the easiest Microsoft OS upgrade I have ever done, back to how excited I was to get my hands on Windows 3.11. I have far fewer crashes than Win 98, and even less than Win 2000 on my two systems. The System restore function is outstanding, and the Remote desktop makes it easy to transfer files between computers. In addition to wanting the latest technology, the interface is improved, and I like the improved Windows Media Player, and the changes to the GUI.
Copyright © 2004 American Society of Neuroradiology, www.asnr.org
