Microsoft chairman Bill Gates and other top company executives gave the first
public demonstration of Microsoft’s next-generation, Internet-friendly desktop
operating system. Developed under the code-name "Whistler," the
Windows XP software based on Windows 2000, brings a new level of stability to
the desktop platform.
Gates said Windows XP, scheduled for launch in the Fall, will be ''the most
important release since Windows 95." Increased stability and a simpler user
interface, rather than new features are the XP’s main selling points. And, as
far as the 500 million Windows users around the world are concerned, those
attributes have been a long time in the coming.
Gates said his company spent more than $1 billion on the XP project. He
declined to speculate on the selling price of the software. Analysts said that
more than increased user-friendliness, the stability factor, will probably
motivate many PC users, tired of frequent system freezes and seeing the dreaded
"blue screen of death" pop up at the most inopportune moments, to
purchase the upgrade.
Gates demonstrated XP during a presentation at the Experience Music Project,
the rock 'n' roll museum in Seattle built by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen in
honor of Jimmy Hendrix of whom Allen has been a life-long fan. Windows XP will
make it easier to download music, process digital photos and use the Internet.
"We had a vision to take the experiences people have today and make them
better."
Compaq CEO Michael Capellas, along with executives from Hewlett-Packard and
Intel, said they liked the changes they've seen in XP. "Compaq and
Microsoft share a common vision focused on making it easier for customers to
access the information, content and entertainment they want," Capellas said.
Jim Allchin, group vice president for Windows, said Windows XP will change
the way people communicate, do business and get entertainment.
"Windows XP is the experience that I've always wanted to build. Windows
XP is as useful for my mother as for businesses."