Wednesday, February 14, 2001
home page local news opinion business island life sports
Search
AP MoneyWire
Stocks
Mutuals
Island Bank Rates
Small Business
Resources
Click!
AP Technology News
AP Stock Quotes
Search by ticker symbol, abbreviation from The Advertiser or company name
Ticker
Abrv.
Company


Advertising
Classified Ads
Jobs
Homes
Restaurant Guide
Business Directory
Cars

Posted on: Wednesday, February 14, 2001

Microsoft offers preview of Windows XP


Associated Press

SEATTLE — Microsoft Corp. executives introduced the company’s new Windows XP operating system yesterday, emphasizing its compatibility with digital cameras and music players and the ease with which personal computer users will be able to move files to and from the Internet.

Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates said Windows XP, which is to be released in the second half of this year, would "meet the demand that the Windows setup be the center" of any personal computing system.

The new operating system allows multiple users to save files on one computer, but keep those files private from others using the same computer. It also allows an authorized person on one computer to access another computer over the Internet, to fix problems. Also with Windows XP, people can access their own computer from another computer through a new remote-access function.

Gates said XP cost more than $1 billion to develop, above the cost of the Windows 2000 system it is based on, but declined to disclose a retail price. It is the first consumer-oriented system to use the more reliable Windows 2000 software code, which was designed for heavier-duty corporate and Internet users.

Rob Enderle, research fellow with Giga Information Systems, said Microsoft’s marketing is similar to the push it gave Windows 95.

But Enderle said the market has changed greatly since 1995. Sales might be hurt by a softening economy and the rising price of electricity in the West, he said.

People are more focused on getting on networks and the Internet, which are relatively slow, Enderle said. "It doesn’t do you any good to have a Ferrari when the speed limit is 20 miles an hour," he said.

[back to top]

Home | Local News | Opinion | Business | Island Life | Sports
USA Today Stocks | Island Stocks | Island Mutuals | Island Bank Rates
Small Business Resources | Investment Glossary
How to Subscribe | How to Advertise | Site Map | Terms of Service | Corrections

© COPYRIGHT 2001 The Honolulu Advertiser, a division of Gannett Co. Inc.