Explaining Windows XP: Is it right for your business?
By Diane O'Brien, BuyerZone.com Senior Content Writer
March 6, 2001
A new Windows sibling has arrived. Microsoft Windows XP (eXPerience) hasn't been released
yet, but it already has plenty of people talking. Cheesy name or not, this probable unveiling
is touted as the biggest Microsoft software release since Windows 95.
Although the buzz is about this being the new software for home users, there are actually
two versions being released: Windows XP and Office XP for business users.
The software will start a second round of beta testing this month, and if all goes well,
both versions of the software will be available in the second half of this year.
There's a lot of talk about the software's ability to handle rich multimedia and transfer
files to devices such as personal digital assistants and portable mp3 players. But how
will your business benefit from these new XP programs?
• The new design is meant to be more user-friendly and is intended for
easier navigation around the operating system. In fact it's so user-friendly that "Windows
for dummies" is its nickname. You can see the new design here: www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/guide/newlook.asp
• If your business is using Windows 95 or 98, you may have had to contend
with your PC crashing. Microsoft, however, is stressing the stability of the XP software,
which is based on the same code as Windows NT and 2000.
• A great communication feature allows another user (with your permission,
of course) to see your screen either over the Internet or your company's network. You can
then communicate with the viewer via chat and even allow him or her to take control of
your programs. This is perfect when you're on the road, need help, and can call on the
IT guy back in the office to log on to your computer and help out. (Specific security details
about this feature have not been released.)
• The Windows XP operating system is designed to be shared. This will
be a big bonus if each of your employees doesn't have an individual PC in the office. One
machine with the Windows XP OS allows for multiple users. Each employee can have his or
her own password-protected area where they can save their documents, set their own preferences,
and bookmark their Web pages. And if someone needs to quickly jump on the PC and check
e-mail or grab one of their documents, programs already running don't have to be closed
while that second user logs on.
Windows XP and Office XP definitely show promise as operating systems, with new features
that a busy small office can benefit from. But keep in mind that they're still in beta
testing, the office version hasn't been discussed much among analysts, and Microsoft isn't
releasing pricing information. Like any new product, it's best to be patient and see how
the first users receive it before making the purchase yourself.
