How was the initial response to Windows XP in the Indian market?
It has been overwhelming. We launched it in New Delhi on October 25 and followed it with consumer launches on October 27 and 28. We had over 15,000 people witnessing the launch over two days. Considering that this is a holiday season and many people are on vacation, this is a good number. We also had huge participation from our partners. We had the likes of Intel, Compaq and AMD, which launched its Athlon XP (Extra Performance) processor. From India, we had Wipro and HCL. We are also partnering with Sony Digital and Imaging Systems who are providing digital cameras, video cameras and other gadgets along with Windows XP.

We also have NIIT as our training partner for Windows XP. So, we have the whole industry rallying around for the support of Windows XP.

What marketing plans do you have for the product?
We have just started executing our marketing plans. We started with various retail and IT retail outlets of Microsoft, Compaq, NIIT, HCL Frontline stores. Then we have the non-IT retail outlets where traffic is high.

We started the promotion a week before the launch. People can go to the Windows XP registration site on msn.co.in. They can download the Windows XP Friends logo from the site. Anybody could become a Windows XP Friend. They can download the logo on to their desktops and handhelds such as cellphones. They can attend the launch by showing the Windows XP Friends logo on their cellphones and make themselves entitled to special offers on purchase of XP. We had close to 15,000 downloads across the country so far. There are a few freebies such as Intel Web cameras being given out on purchase of Windows XP.
We are tying to create a lot of enthusiasm through this marketing exercise. We have not restricted ourselves to prints ads and banner ads. A lot of hype is being created among the home users and knowledge workers in software organizations. Besides, we have a worldwide print and TV campaign of $250 million. We are very happy the way our marketing campaign is kicking off.

What are the most saleable features of Windows XP?
In terms of the product characteristics, it is Albert Einstein, Marilyn Monroe and Michael Jordan all rolled into one. Albert Einstein is in terms of performance and number crunching. He is fast and excellent. Marilyn Monroe because she is very good to look at. The product’s GUI (Graphical User Interface) is just out of the world. And, Michael Jordan, because of reliability and dependability. You can be rest assured that for days it will perform. Because it is based on NT kernel. The home segment has never experienced such a rugged OS ever.

Other than that it has some interesting features that enhances user experiences. It has very compelling scenarios for digital experiences. For digital movies, music and imaging, XP provides a new experience. In the Professional version, we have wireless support, because it has become very prevalent.

Gartner has forecast that businesses would not go for Windows XP in a big way in 2002 while most Home PCs will have the new version. Little ROI, only incremental increase in features of Professional version and gauged purchases are the reasons given. What is your comment to this?
You have got a valid point, in terms of Windows XP in comparison with Windows 2000. There is only an incremental difference as there are only a few additional features. It has the same historical ruggedness. But in terms of Windows 98 and 95, there is a world of difference. The present base of Windows 98 and 95 is prevalent. This penetration will only go up with the arrival of Windows XP. Most of the corporates will go for Windows XP because of user appeal. It looks and the way you can work on it is different.

With PC shipment growth itself on the decline, how do you expect Windows XP to do well?
I see that the home segment would go for fresh PCs. The digital camera, music system proliferation will co-exist with the PC, with the help of Windows XP. Features such as multi-user log on, remote access will help people work from home too.

Privacy groups are up in arms against the Product Activation feature of Windows XP. How do you react to that?
Product Activation is an optional feature for users to reveal their personal information such as name, address, etc. Otherwise, all that the customer needs to give in order to activate the Windows XP version is the product id that comes along with the CD. No personal information is mandatory.

How quick is Windows XP in booting and shutting down against Windows 2000?
It is 13 per cent faster in resuming from the hibernation phase. In terms of performance, it is 36 per cnet faster than Windows 98 second edition.

Some reviews said that XP Home version does not support VPNs. Is it true? What if someone wants to use his Home loaded laptop in the office and access his corporate network?
That is why we recommend a Windows Professional version for him. That’s the clear distinction. Home is expected to be taking care of home needs. It does not require features such as wireless support etc.

Are there enough devices that have XP compatible drives in them?
There are currently about 12,000 devices and 2000 applications that are already tested and approved and are XP compliant.

Stability seems to be the biggest advantage of XP Home version. Comment.
The fact that it uses the NT kernel itself shows it is very stable and rugged. This will be a big boost to user experience. Another thing is the help and support. We have remote assistance and advance search within the desktop and on the Web. We also have system restore feature that helps one restore the OS to earlier position.

Any plans of phasing out Windows Me or 98?
We would be phasing out Windows 95 from a support perspective. By July 2002, we will be phasing out Windows 98