Oct 05, 2001 05:01 PM
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Windows XP, the much talked about Microsoft OS is finally released. I am not a comp. Engineer, but here is my experience with it.
The Advantages.
XP is reported to be a much stable OS. I didn’t keep it loaded for a long time so I cannot guarantee, but from whatever little time I used, it certainly did feel like a much more stable OS. The main advantage of XP is that it is upgradable on any other windows version except Windows 95. Moreover XP is built to be operational using both, the FAT32 as well as NTFS (Windows NT) file allocation systems. This gives the user the advantage being able to effectively use XP without having to go through the hassles of backing up data, or uninstalling an existing windows OS and formatting the hard-drive etc.
It is reported (during installation XP itself claims) to be the fastest booting Windows version. This certainly is true. XP boots faster than any other Windows versions so far.
There are reports that all the drivers in XP’s Driver Database are IMPROVED. Like they say better the driver, better does the vehicle run. Any hardware or Software that is compatible with XP certainly RUNS better. A compatible program ‘starts’ faster, and almost never “Crashes” . All the hardware that XP recognises works better. I could at once feel the difference in the functioning of sound and display hardware, giving clearer sound, (this is particularly noticeable if you are using low quality speakers, like I am) and displaying crisper sharper letters and images.
The new interface certainly looks crisp and nice. The new-look, split-up “Start Menu” and well ‘divided’ Control Panel is reported to offer better shorter accessibility to various programs and tools. However, if you find it confusing, you can change to “Windows Classic Look” in the display settings under the Control Panel.
IE6, which come integrated with XP, is the most stable, and yet the fastest browser today. Outlook Express6 too, rarely crashes, a BIG BIG improvement as far as all other earlier versions of Outlook Express is concerned.
As added features, XP offers a built-in Anti-virus, a Firewall, software for burning CD’s, software for using a wide variety of Scanners and digital Cameras.
The Disadvantages.
XP eats up a huge space on the hard-disk. I don’t remember exactly, but I think it takes up about 1.5 to 1.75 GB space.
No doubt, Microsoft has improved almost all the drivers provided in XP’s database. But in an attempt to reduce the size of the Driver Database, XP has completely omitted several drivers. This causes several hardware and software NOT to operate properly. This I think is the biggest disadvantage. I have a Samsung 55V monitor, XP provides no drivers for it. XP detected a monitor but I could not use all features of the monitor. I use a GVC external, 56K modem. Again, XP has no drivers for ANY of the GVC modems. GVC does not appear in XP’s list of drivers at all. I have an HP CD writer, the CD burning software provided in XP, does not read any “Direct CD” content. (Direct CD is a feature provided by HP’s drivers that enable you to format a CD in a manner that it can be used like a drive-letter enabling you simply copy-paste anything on the CD.) I tried to install the drivers provided by Samsung, GVC modem, and Hp CD-writer, each time I got message that the OS does not recognise the driver and the hardware. This may cause the hardware to NOT function properly. And, in fact, after installing the drivers and the software, in spite of the error-message, though the CD-writer DID function properly (including the “Direct CD feature), my modem did not function at all.
The new-look interface, IS, in fact just that….A NEW LOOK. It looks nice, but I don’t think it provides any shorter route to accessing any program or tool.
IE6 and Outlook Express 6 are FANTASTIC. But then they are available as a separate package.
XP claims to have a built-in Anti-virus tool and a firewall. If the firewall is really effective, unlike other programs like ZoneAlarm the user never knows about it. Zone Alarm pops up a message every time it “Blocks” an attempt to access your PC, informing you from which IP address the break-in attempt was made. If the Firewall provided in XP really does Block Foreign Entries, there are no such intimations. NONE, I repeat NONE of the Anti-virus Packages, except Norton Anti-Virus 2002 works on XP. I tried NAV(Norton Anti-virus )2000, NAV2001, Inoculate, and AVG. NONE functioned at all.
I went back to Windows ME. May be I shall wait until most popular hardware manufacturers come out with a set of XP compatible drivers and THEN, I shall give XP a go again. But for now, I am not prepared to switch over to XP, merely for its STABILITY and FASTER BOOTING SPEED.
But then, that’s my requirement…..according to your needs….YOU decide for yourself whether you want to make the change or not.
