Windows
XP is the latest version of Windows Operating System developed by the Microsoft.
Windows XP is the combination of Windows 2000 reliability, security,
manageability and the best features of Windows 98 and Me with some additional
enhanced features of its own.
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Features of Windows XP:
The features of Windows XP are as follows:
New User Interface:
Windows XP has an entirely different and more intelligent user interface. Some
common tasks have been consolidated and some other new facilities are added
1. Fast User Switching for multiple users of a computer
2. New visual style
3. Redesigned Start Menu
4. Search Companion
5. Webview
6. File Grouping
Comprehensive Media Support:
Windows XP has some new features for media support like:
1. Windows Media Player 8
2. Windows Movie Maker
3. Digital Photo Support
Much better Application and Device Compatibility:
Windows XP makes it easier to install new hardware devices to the system.
Windows XP also ensures that most of the different type of applications will run
on the system. Some of the features are:
1. Improved Device Installation
2. Support for New Hardware Technologies
3. Native Support for DVDs and CDs
4. Application Compatibility
5. COM and Shared DLL Isolation support
Enhanced File and Print Services:
Windows XP has the following features for the enhanced File and Print Services:
1. Web DAV Working with Data on Internet
2. Disk Defragmenter Enhancements
3. Encrypting the Offline Files Database
4. FAT 32 on DVD-RAM
5. Printer Access with NetCrawler
6. Fax Sharing
Improved Networking and Communication capabilities:
Windows XP makes it much easier to set a Network without having expertise on
Networking. Some of networking capabilities are:
1. Universal Plug and Play Support
2. Internet Connection Sharing
3. Home Networking Wizard
4. Network Bridging
Integrated Help and Support Services:
In Windows XP Microsoft unified Help center brings together all the help at one
place like:
1. Getting Help with Remote Assistance
2. Searching for Help Content
3. Accessing System Information
4. Support URL for Software Deployment
5. Troubleshooting tool
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Improved Mobile Computing:
Windows XP provides extensive hardware support and power management for mobile
computing. The features Windows XP provide for Mobile Computing are:
1. Power Management
2. Usability Improvements for Mobile Users
3. Remote Desktop
4. Remote Desktop and Terminal Services
Reliability Improvements:
Windows XP makes it very easy for a common user to maintain his or her system.
Some of such improvements are:
1. Driver Rollback
2. System Restore
3. Automated System Recovery
4. Dynamic Update
5. Auto Update
6. Windows Update
Stronger Security Protection:
Windows XP provides much better security support than Windows 2000 by providing:
1. Internet Connection Firewall
2. Controlled Network Access
3. Software Restriction Policies
4. Security Improvements for Servers on Ethernet or Wireless LANs
5. Single Login with Microsoft Passport
6. Credential Management
7. Encrypting File System
8. Secure Data Storage on the Internet
Easier Manageability:
Windows XP provides better manageability for the system. It provides the
following support for the system:
1. IntelliMirror
2. Group Policy
3. Migrating Files and Settings
4. Account Management Enhancements
5. Regional Options Enhancements
Minimum Hardware Requirement for Windows XP:
Minimum Hardware requirements for Windows XP are:
Pentium 233 MHz (300 MHz is recommended)
64 MB RAM (128 is recommended)
1.5 GB available space on Hard disk
CD- ROM Derive
SVGA Monitor
Sound Card
Keyboard and Mouse
Methods to distribute Windows XP:
Microsoft provides many options for the distribution of Windows XP. Some of
these options are:
From CD-ROM
Controlled Download from Secure Network Servers
From a system of controlled short-term checkout of applicable volume licensing
media
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Ways to protect privacy:
To protect the privacy and illegal use of this software Microsoft provides some
changes in Volume Licensing Keys. Now the software update is only available to
the legal user of this software. To ensure this Microsoft shipped Windows XP
with a list of two products IDs that are created by the Pirated Volume Licensing
Keys. Windows XP installation will fail on the systems, which have the Pirated
Product ID.
Windows XP service pack also adds an encryption feature to the setup of Windows
XP. The legal user of Windows XP will be able to encrypt the VLK. This feature
provides an additional layer of protection by obscuring the VLK in unattended
installations.
Involvement of Microsoft in legal conflicts:
The manufacturer of Windows XP, the Microsoft, had a long history of involvement
in legal conflicts. Some of its legal conflicts are given below:
1995:Microsoft launched its operating system with a free web browser, who
badly affected the market of Netscape Communications and court order required
Microsoft to lift anti-competitive licensing terms.
1997: Department of Justice imposed a $1 million per day fine on Microsoft for
violating terms of 1995 order.
1998: The US attorney General and 20 US States launched anti-trust lawsuits
against Microsoft
September 7, 1998: Department of Justice accused Microsoft to try to kill Java
language
November 5, 1999: The judge ruled that Microsoft wields monopoly power.
After four years of trial US district court judge Kollar Kotelly said that the
sanctions against the Microsoft are to last five years unless not extended by
the court.
Microsoft influence in global market:
Microsoft acquired the software companies like Navision Attain and Axapta, and
now is in much better position to influence the global market of databases also
as Microsoft in a position to guide Navision Attains 30,000 customers worldwide
towards SQL Server platform in the future. But Microsoft have more benefits in
mind than just the marketing advantages and database leverage, some of
Microsofts expected benefits are:
Microsoft now is in much better position to influence the global market for
the introduction of new Microsoft technologies like .Net technology or Biztalk
technology
Microsoft has gained an influence over a powerful distribution channel of
Navision and Axapta resellers
By acquiring these companies Microsoft has gained many more talented
programmers, engineers, marketing personnel etc. With the help of much more
technical staff Microsoft is now able to relatively more rapid product
development which also helps Microsoft for timely update for its products
Microsoft Operating Systems Windows 95, 98, NT, Me, 2000 and XP has a market
share of almost 88 percent of PC desktops.
Microsoft is considered as the worlds largest software company with a
reputation of innovative products
With that huge share of worlds software products, Microsoft is the company,
which have a great influence on global computer market. Microsoft had used this
influence in negative terms in the past, and the court has imposed some sanction
on it. Let us wait and see what will be the behavior of Microsoft in this regard
in future.
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