Rated ‘XP’

After months of preparation, Microsoft’s new generation operating system Windows XP was launched this week in a series of locally held events. Introduction to Windows XP began a few weeks ago when the Philippine IT press was invited to a hands-on demo of the new operating system. Windows XP boasts of improved system stability, a colorful and intuitive user interface called Luna and a host of built-in applications for editing images, instant messaging, online telephony and videoconferencing.

Public and specialized launches this week included a special event for system builders last Oct. 26, a Windows XP Expo at the Greenbelt cinemas on Oct. 29-31, a Direct Access Briefing for developers, and a by-invitation only Windows XP business launch. The final launching event was a grand and well-attended public party at the Greenbelt roofdeck. Copies of Windows XP were given away as were HP palmtops. Bands and DJs provided entertainment while guests with water pistols ran around in what could be considered one of the wildest IT product launch this year.

The fanfare and the publicity were expected since Windows XP is considered by many to be the biggest product release from the software giant since Windows 95. Microsoft clearly sees Windows XP as the future of its operating system product line that will tie in with all its applications. From Windows 95 to last year’s Windows Millennium edition, there has been a sizable amount of user-specified and technology-driven improvements. Windows XP is expected to be the culmination of these improvements.

"Windows XP is built on the proven code base of Windows 2000, which features a 32-bit computing architecture as well as a fully protected memory model. It is also designed to run multiple applications simultaneously with great system response and stability. This means better performance and less downtime and inconvenience due to system reboots. One of the first things users will notice is the faster start-up and resume time of Windows XP. It also makes it much easier to organize, store and appreciate digital photos, music and videos," explains Richard Francis, general manager of Microsoft Phils.

Early user reports for the new OS have been favorable; reviewers have cited WinXP’s increased stability and its ability to recover an entire system as a definite improvement over past versions.

Francis explains that outside of the redesigned user interface, there are a number of powerful features which users and adopters will find useful. "Some of the new features integrated include instant messaging, voice and video chat. There’s also Remote Desktop that allows you to remotely access your Windows XP Professional PC, from another Windows PC, so you can work with all of your data and applications while away from your office. With Remote Assistance you can get help from an expert quickly and easily by showing them exactly what to do by allowing them to control their desktop remotely," Francis says.

These features were demonstrated during the press preview where remote access was done via a wireless network, using notebooks outfitted with cameras and even a handheld PocketPC device.

Windows XP can run on any PC purchased new since December 1999 with 300 MHz processor speed Pentium II or better, a minimum of 64MB of RAM, 2 GB of free disk space and 12 times or faster CD ROM.