Windows XP
A Basic View
Windows, on one level, is the Operating System which runs your computer. But it's much more than that. If your computing needs aren't too demanding you could accomplish many computing tasks using nothing more than Windows and the applications which come with it.
You need no other software to:
- surf the Internet with Internet Explorer.
- communicate with others using email with Outlook Express.
- play games like Pinball and Solitaire. There are even games such as Backgammon and Hearts which you can play with others via the Internet.
- write and print letters and documents - with included graphics - using WordPad.
- create graphics using Paint.
- organise all your documents and pictures in files and folders using Windows Explorer.
- communicate with friends with Messenger.
- organise, view and print your digital photographs.
- carry out computer maintenance using Disk Defragmenter, System File Checker and ScanDisk.
- listen to music and "burn" music onto CDs.
- And a lot more!
The only caveat to that is that in order to keep your computer safe when connected to the Internet you need protection against viruses, spyware, and other internet nasties. But never fear, excellent antivirus programs and antispyware programs are available free for private use. Find out about them in Viruses and Spyware
The Windows XP Interface
Windows XP has a sleek new default interface which some find attractive, others find garish. The desktop starts out clean and not cluttered with icons. Many users soon put paid to that!
Fortunately, if you don't like the default Desktop you can change it in any number of ways. I use the uncluttered Windows 98 look which you will notice on some mistywindow screen and window shots.
Windows Performance
Stability
This Operating System is much more stable than previous versions. "Blue screens of death", screen freezes, mysterious crashes and reboots are a relative rarity.
A Hibernation facility allows you to turn your computer on and off quickly and whilst retaining everything you were working on.
System Requirements
Note: if the following paragraph is gobbledegook to you, go to Buying or Upgrading a New Computer, read that page and follow the link at the end of it (and the following few pages) to learn the basic facts about CPUs, RAM and other computer components.
XP needs more computer power and more memory than its predecessors. See my recommended specifications. Microsoft maintain that you can work with a 300MHz processor and 128MB of RAM. Don't even think about it!
You need to at least double those figures as an absolute bare minimum. Otherwise things will happen very sloooowly and you'd be better off with Windows 98 Second Edition.
The Blue Screen of Death
An Endangered Species
Windows XP New Features
User Switching
Each User can have their own password accessed account, with their own settings, their own documents, and different levels of access. So you can set up your computer so that others can use it but they can't mess with it and they can't access your data.
Users can rapidly switch between accounts without even having to close down the programs and files they're working with.
Networking
Users with more than one computer can network them much more easily than with previous versions of Windows.
Internet
XP has a built-in firewall to help fend off unwanted attacks, It also has a new Messenger, which allows video conferencing and application sharing over an Internet connection. It has the Internet Explorer browser.
Digital Media
Photos, music, and video multimedia are handled with ease. You can view thumbnail pictures of your photos and other graphics files in Windows Explorer.
Media Player allows you to copy music from CD to hard disk, create a playlist, and write your own music CDs. It can also play DVD video. You can play MP3 audio files and MPEG videos. There is video conferencing, remote assistance and application sharing.
Upgrading to Windows XP
It's much cheaper to buy an upgrade version of Windows than the full version. You must have your original disks of the older version. They must be inserted into a drive for verification during installation or reinstallation of your upgrade.
Windows 98, Windows 98 SE or Windows ME can be upgraded to either Windows XP Home or Windows XP Professional.
Windows NT 4 or Windows 2000 Professional can be upgraded to Windows XP Professional.
Windows XP Professional
This version has all the features of the Home edition, and some extra facilities of its own, mostly of use to businesses and other people or organisations with several networked PCs.
Remote Desktop allows you run applications from another computer as if you were sitting at your own desk.
XP Professional supports dual and multi-processor computers.
ClearType improves font legibility for LCD screens, and wireless networking support is built in.
The file system is encryptable.
