Microsoft has
Learned a Lot in the past Ten Years.
See How Well they Understood the Lesson.
Please Welcome Windows XP.
Windows XP is not everyone's
favorite Operating System. People complain about the menus, how
slow it appears on all but the latest hardware, and how it is
not a good upgrade. Tough. Windows XP is a technological marvel,
a Tour de Force from one of the world's biggest companies at
the top of its powers and at the height of its game. Microsoft
knows Windows XP must be more than an "upgrade"; it
is the foundation for most user's computing experience for at
least the next five years and perhaps a decade. They take Windows
XP VERY seriously- and so should you.
Windows XP, we believe, is the
best microcompting operating system ever created. It has the
most functions, the greatest number of strengths and abilities,
and the richest environment for users. Microsoft had wonderful
teachers- Macintosh, Linux, Unix, IBM's successful history, and
strong points from all the other major operating systems in the
past. They put it all together into a powerful and capable package
that gives the best computing environment the world can currently
offer.
Not to say Windows XP is perfect, however.
There are major flaws, some of which are easier to correct than
others. See our favorite fixes on our Configuring
XP page.
Should
I Upgrade to Windows XP?
Windows XP was not designed for older computers. We believe that
it is a very poor "upgrade" for older hardware.
For details on upgrades, please see our Upgrade
Guide.
Minimum
Hardware Requirements:
We suggest at least 256MB of memory (512mb for a Laptop and 750mb
or more for a desktop is preferred.) Windows XP gains performance
from extra memory. Microsoft says it will run in 128mb of memory,
but we specifically advise against this as insufficient.
Hard disk space should include at least 5 Gigs
free. As a rule of thumb, it is a good idea to leave about half
of a hard drive's space empty to avoid other performance problems.
(It also helps to frequently defragment your hard disk.) A 40
Gig hard drive in a new machine would be about the smallest we
could consider.
Are you Upgrading? (See our Upgrade
Guide first.) The upgrade CD will include a "compatibility
checker" which should be run before any upgrade is begun.
The checker is not infallible, but will flag major hardware and
software components that can have trouble accepting the upgraded
software. If you know the make and model of each of the flagged
hardware components, it would be a good idea to try to get Windows
XP drivers for each before you upgrade. The upgrade process includes
access to Microsoft's file library of drivers for popular devices,
which is automated with the installation. This may or may not
be sufficient to meet immediate needs for compatible software
for your machine.
Which
Version of Windows XP Should I Buy?
Windows XP comes in several
different flavors. The main two are:
Windows XP Professional, the full-featured version of
the operating system. This is the version of the OS recommended
for business, and the one version SoftProse Technology, Inc.
encourages for all users.
Windows XP Home, being a "Lite" version of Windows
XP. The home version may be ideal for more casual users, but
lacks may important and desirable functions from the Professional
version.
There are some other unusual
variants of Windows XP, which include:
Windows XP Media Center Edition is a special version of
Windows XP Professional with additional drivers and software
to control and support a Home Theatre system.
Windows XP Tablet PC Edition, designed for new laptops
with no keyboards but a touch-sensitive screen. Ideal for Kiosk
use. Also based on Windows XP Professional.
Windows XP 64-Bit Edition is set to run in a fully-native
64 bit mode on the new Intel® ItaniumTM processor. Other versions of Windows
XP run in the usual 32-bit mode. However, advanced systems demand
the greater performance which Windows XP 64-Bit Edition can provide.
Why
Windows XP Professional?
Most users are discovering
that they only have two choices for an operating system when
they buy a new computer- Windows XP Home or Windows XP Professional.
Given that the Professional version costs about $100 more, they
most often select the Home variety. And they receive a very powerful
and rich operating system well suited to the abilities of modern
desktop computers. But what COULD they have had if they had selected
the premium Professional version? And why is this the ONLY version
SoftProse Technology, Inc. recommends for new business purchases?
Power User Mode:
Users who are logged into XP Professional in
"Power User" mode do not have the ability to install
software. This may block the effect of most viruses. Restricting
users to Power User privledges may be an ideal scenario for most
office networks. (Windows 2000 Professional also has a "Power
User" option, with similar features.) This should NOT be
viewed as a substitute for anti-virus software, but simply an
additional layer of protection for users.
Joining a Windows 2000 Server's
Domain
Windows XP Professional allows the computer
to "join" a Windows 2000 Server's domain. Logins to
each Windows XP Professional computer would be created and managed
from a Windows 2000 Server, not the individual machine. You can
also do this remotely, with Dial Up or an Internet VPN.
System Restore
Windows XP Pro has a System Restore function
that makes restoring a damaged system much simpler. For those
who remember this function in Windows ME, rest assured- It was
a good idea, and after a full re-write it now works well.
Encrypted Folders
Windows XP Pro offers encrypted folders. Files
placed in these folders are not coming out without a password,
but with proper access can be read and used by programs as if
they were any normal file.
Advanced User Toys
Advanced users love free system utilities,
and Microsoft opened the toy box for Windows XP Pro. There is
IIS, the industrial-strength Web Server, built right in. Advanced
networking features, extraordinary language support, and an array
of interface utilities.
Remote Control
The new Remote
Desktop feature means never having to leave your computer.
Remote Desktop allows you to control your computer- Screen, Mouse,
and Keyboard, and print, and share files- from a remote computer.
You can even control your machine from a Internet Browser such
as Internet Explorer with no additional software required.
See our Remote Desktop guide
for a further explanation of this feature.
Sure, you pay a little more for
Windows XP Professional. But isn't it worth it?
Links
for Windows XP Resources:
Chris Pirillo's Tips
and Tricks page http://home.att.net/~gatorgrad/tips/xptiptrick.html
O'Reilly's site for all Windows "annoyances" - Three
XP books, too.
http://www.annoyances.org/
TechTV has compiled many Windows XP tip pages. See them at:
http://www.techtv.com/screensavers/supergeek/story/0,24330,3338109,00.html
Microsoft's Windows XP Product
Page:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/default.asp
Microsoft itself has a Tips and Tricks page:
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/treeview/default.asp?url=/
TechNet/prodtechnol/winxppro/tips/tips.asp
PC Buyer's Guide has a technical & sophisticated Tips page:
http://www.pcbuyersguide.com/software/system/WinXP-tips.html
Many tips from an AOL user's site, AXCEL216
http://members.aol.com/AXCEL216/wxp.htm
Extreme Tech has a "Windows XP SuperGuide" at:
http://www.extremetech.com/category2/0,3971,530826,00.asp
Windows & .Net Magazine has a "Top 10" list:
http://www.win2000mag.net/Articles/Index.cfm?ArticleID=24894
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