A: Windows Whistler is the codename for the first joint business/consumer
version of Windows built on the Windows 2000 OS kernel for stability and
reliability.
To bring the reliability of Windows 2000 to consumers as soon as
possible and address the feedback from enterprise customers, Microsoft planned a
phased release of Windows XP beginning with the desktop products and followed by
the server versions.
Windows XP is their first step in the Microsoft .Net
vision.
Q: Is Microsoft
Windows XP available in multiple languages?
A: Windows XP
Professional will be available in 24 official localized versions in addition to
English. In any version of Windows XP Professional, you can display, input,
edit, and print documents in hundreds of languages. Users or administrators can
set regional preferences, fonts, keyboard layouts, sorting orders, date formats,
and so on.
The biggest innovation
for multilingual computing is the Windows XP Multilingual User Interface Pack,
which is an add–on to the English version of Windows XP Professional.
It lets
users or administrators switch the User Interface (menus, dialogs and help
files) from one language to another. This feature greatly eases desktop
administration in multilingual computing environments, and lowers cost of
desktop change and configuration management considerably.
The Multilingual User
Interface Pack will be available in 33 languages.
Q:
What version of DirectX does Windows XP ship with?
A: Windows
XP ships with DirectX 8.1, which improves pixel shade's among other things.
Q: What is the difference between the 32 bit and 64 bit
versions?
A: The 64-bit versions will only work on newer Intel Itanium based
hardware. The 32-bit versions will work on all x86 compatible hardware (such a
Pentium III, 4, etc).
A: "Whistler Embedded" delivers all the richness,
innovation and reliability of the next generation of Windows in a
componentized version, enabling embedded developers to select specific technology components
required for a wide range of unique Windows Powered devices.
Beta 1 is focused
on delivering embedded client scenarios, including Windows-based terminals,
advanced set-top boxes and retail point-of-sale kiosks. With the release of
"Whistler Embedded" beta 1 coming only 48 days after release of the
"Whistler" beta, Microsoft underscores its commitment to bringing the
latest, most innovative Windows technology to the embedded space in a timely
manner."
Q: When was Windows XP released?
A: October 25, 2001
Q: When did Windows XP RTM?
A: August 24, 2001
Q: What features of Windows XP have been taken from Windows
Me?
A: Features such as System Restore, Image acquisition and more. Most of the new
multimedia features in Windows Me will be carried over to Windows XP.
Q: What is new in Windows XP?
A: Microsoft is aiming to combine the features of Windows Me for the consumer,
and reliability of Windows 2000 for businesses and power users into one new
operating system. This operating system in its' different flavours will have new
features for gaming, multimedia applications, audio, etc. in addition to
features for networking, development, etc. for businesses and power users.
Q: What flavours is Windows
XP available in?
A: Windows XP comes in Professional and Home versions. Servers will also
come out, but they are still in beta testing.
Q: What is the difference between Home and Profession editions?
A: The features of Windows XP Home and Pro are very similar. Most home
users have no need to the Professional version. Windows XP Pro has support
for multiple processors and an encrypted file system. There are also a few
other differences.
Q: What are the major new features?
A: Windows XP has many new features. Users upgrading from the 9x code will
find the larges changes in terms of stability. Other great advances are
built-in CD-R/RW support, Remote Assistance, a built-in firewall, and Device
Driver Rollback.
Q: Does ActiveWin.com have
a review of Windows XP?
A: Both Home and Professional can be upgraded from Windows 98, Windows 98SE, and
Windows ME. Windows NT 4.0, Windows 2000 and Windows XP Home can all be
upgraded to Windows XP Professional.
Windows 95 is not a supported upgrade path
from either version.
Q: What’s next for Windows development?
A: With SP1 complete, Microsoft will be working on Longhorn, the next
consumer version of Windows. Longhorn isn't expected to hit stores till
2004 or later (probably later), so expect a second service pack in the works
soon!
Q: What were the milestones in Windows XP development?
A: There were 6 major steps in the development of Windows XP:
Beta 1 – October 31,
2000, build 2296
Beta 2 – March 25,
2001, build 2462a
RC1 – June 29, 2001,
build 2505
RC2 – July
28, 2001, build 2526
RTM – August 24, 2001,
build 5.10.2600
SP1 RTM - August 30, 2002
Q: Does Windows XP have a new Graphic User Interface (GUI)?
A: Yes, Windows XP will have a "newer" look to it but will still have
the basics of Windows we have grown accustomed to. The one that is debuted
at the EMP is the "Luna" theme.
Q: When was SP1 released?
A: SP1 went RTM on August 30, 2002 and was released to the public on September
9, 2002.
Q: What features does SP1 include?
A: Although Microsoft has developed a habit of not including new features,
Windows XP SP1 was an exception to that rule. It included support for USB
2.0 and included a nifty, government-required tool that will let you hide MS
products, if you want.
It also included support for other version of
Windows, like Media Center and Windows
Powered Smart Displays editions (codenames Freestyle and Mira, respectively).
Windows XP SP1 also includes bug fixes and other general improvements.
Q: Where can I download SP1?
A: SP1 should be available to download from Windows Update, but if you would
like to order a CD or download the entire file, both can be obtained from Microsoft's
website.
Q: What are some of the new visual features, what did they
change?
A: The taskbar has been overhauled (icon grouping), and a new uncluttered
notification area. Only the recycle bin is on the desktop - the rest are
kept in a new, larger start menu.
Q: But
what if we want to keep the classic look?
A: Well, luckily, it seems that you can keep either the classic look or the
newer, XP look as default. The GUI should be skinnable to developers.
Q: What is fast user switching?
A: This is a new feature included in Windows XP. "Based
on the Windows 2000 profiles, user accounts are created for all users during
installation. As the default, passwords are not required, although users can
create them if desired.
A friendly new welcome screen featuring user names and
pictures or icons rather than code names or aliases replaces the logon dialog
box. Further, a new control panel applet makes it easy to add and edit user
accounts.
Each user has their own settings, including wallpaper, music,
pictures, favourites, and so forth. In fast user switching, multiple users do not
have to not log off when using a single computer. Instead, their accounts are
always logged on, and they can switch quickly between all open accounts."
Q: When did testing of Windows XP begin?
A: The first developers preview was sent out to testers mid-July 2000.
Q: Will most of my programs from Windows 9* work in Windows
XP?
A: Most programs that work on Windows 95/98/Me and NT will work on versions of
Windows XP. As with Windows 2000, several compatibility updates are sure to made
after the product is released.
There will be problems running older DOS programs
(if they will run at all).
Q: If I am a games player, should I go for Windows 2000 or
Windows XP?
A: Definitely go for Windows XP for the simple reason that it is designed for
both the business & consumer thus is more adept at games playing.
Q: What are Win32 classes? How many new ones are released
with Windows XP?
A: Microsoft Win32 classes give you the means to manipulate a variety of
objects. Objects can be divided into four main categories. There are 40 new
ones. Information can be found at the direct link by clicking here (o)
