Microsoft on a mission

And Fast User switching allows you to switch between users without having to reboot the machine. It's much like the AOL feature that allows you to switch between usernames without actually having to close and then reopen AOL.

Now for the dark side.

Almost everything about XP - from the new Start Menu, to the new version of Windows Messenger, to the fact that the new Windows Media Player will allow you to create only a Microsoft-format audio file called WMA, rather than the popular MP3 file - replicates the monopolistic practices Microsoft has been found guilty of. It screams that Microsoft has learned little from its recent convictions on eight counts of violating antitrust law.

The tactics that Microsoft used to knock Netscape's Communicator out of its No. 1 position when it wanted to rule the browser world, it now appears to be repeating in its battles with AOL Instant Messenger, RealNetworks' RealJukebox, and Apple's QuickTime.

In fact, you'll need to download updates to make all of these popular programs work on XP, something that most people will not do - a fact that Microsoft is, no doubt, counting on. And listening to Microsoft reps deny any sort of pernicious intent is like listening to tobacco company executives deny that tobacco has any ill effects.

There are technical issues as well. XP is a glutton for hard drive space and memory. The program takes up 1.5 gigabytes of hard drive space. The recommended minimum memory allotment is 64 megabits of RAM. But this is very misleading - like those big bags of potato chips where the recommended serving size is 15 chips. One friend told me he was able to get good results with about 85 megs, but he had turned off many of the features. For the full-blown XP, you'll need at least 128 megs. Walt Mossberg, in his review in the Wall Street Journal, recommends 192 megs.

Worse, XP is really not compatible with any machine built before 2000. To use XP on an older machine, you'd probably have to upgrade most of its major components - sound cards, video cards, etc. Now I don't know about you, but I count on using my machines for at least three or four years. And while computers are cheaper than they've been in years, buying a new machine just to take advantage of XP is silly for most people.

Then there is the activation requirement. With XP, you have 60 days to "activate" the software over the phone or the Internet. Once that copy is activated, you can't put it on any other machine in your home or office. But if you change your hardware configuration too much - by adding a new hard drive, for instance - XP may fail to recognize it as the same machine and shut down. Microsoft is exploring the idea of a "home license" for consumers with multiple machines, but so far this is just talk.

Taken in combination, these ethical and technical issues lead me to recommend not upgrading to XP right now. First, there is a very good chance that the appeals court will force Microsoft to make sweeping changes to future versions of XP that will loosen its tyrannical grip on its customers while actually improving the product. Second, don't go buy a new computer until you actually need one. While it's a definite improvement over past Windows systems, XP isn't so groundbreaking that you won't be able to get along without it.

And then again, it just might be time for you to check out some alternatives. Linux operating systems continue to improve, and there are more programs for consumers, not just businesses. For instance, Sun Microsystems has just released a new, much better version of its free StarOffice software that offers a Linux version - it's a real alternative to Microsoft Office.

And don't forget there's always Apple and its Macintosh line of computers.

So be patient and look around. You still might end up with Windows XP. But let's hope it's an XP significantly different from the one that goes on sale today.

Page: 1 | 2