Network? No Network?..Doesn't matter

I think most end users feared the Windows 2000 family mostly because it was so very network dependable. Windows XP is NOT network challenged like Windows 98, this meaning that it has all the tools you need to enjoy networking to the fullest. Yet, it can run as a very user friendly, non-networking gaming OS if need be. IF you do plan to use this OS on a small home/office network or in a large domain environment, I think you will love some of the features they have added. When viewing the LAN settings, you have a “create bridge” option that allows you to create a network bridge or “Practical WAN”, very useful! It also has some very sweet troubleshooting tools built in. Networking really never has been so easy. Regardless of your technical ability, I think you love the backup utility they have added, it is similar to NT's backup style so it works great! Setting up a home network is super easy! It has a home networking wizard that will detect other PC's connected or tell you how to connect them, it will then do all the network configuration for you, very cool! I should add that Windows XP has a sporty little Internet firewall that is optional, however, very straight forward and thorough.

Programs are grouped on the start bar.

This is my absolute favorite feature!! Let's say for example, you have 9 sessions of Internet explorer open, 5 Word documents and 4 different emails. If you were using any other Microsoft operating system, you're start bar would be filled with an icon for each and they would be so small you couldn't read them, not anymore! In the above example using Windows XP, you would have 3 items in you're start bar (one for each application). One would say "Internet Explorer 9", upon clicking this you will see the 9 different browser session in a sub-menu. You can right click and close these, or bring them to focus one at a time, or you can right click the main group icon in your start bar and choose "Close this group", this will close them all.



Extras:
- Built in Movie making software
- Built in DVD software
- MSN Explorer
- Internet Explorer 6!
- Wireless connectivity control panel applet
- Support for USB, Firewire, and all the other things that NT didn't have but really needed.
- A HUGE driver database
- All of the control panel applets have been modified to make it easier for end users to understand, yet not boring or demeaning for the advanced users.
- Adding a new printer (Network or local) is much easier and more efficient.
- All the icons have a new look to them. For example the My Computer icon is now a picture of a flat panel monitor, pretty cool J.
- The help and support features are quite impressive. They have added a built in piece of remote control software that allows you control someone else's computer remotely or vice versa. This also allows Microsoft to perform remote troubleshooting of any problems you may have. I must add that all of this is of course optional and very secure. The help files look like they were written by an expert 3rd level helpdesk technician with a great understanding of peoples needs, regardless of their technical ability. The help files are also launched in a new “web browser” format with a great search feature. Any error you encounter will produce an option to make a log file and send it to Microsoft for examination. Some errors (depending on the seriousness) will allow you to connect to Microsoft for remote repair!!!

The new look and feel is outstanding and it really is an all around, solid, beautiful OS. I give this new operating system two thumbs way up, way to go Microsoft!

Dan Powell