As Microsoft prepares for the official launch of the Windows XP
desktop operating system on 25 October, it is promising an easier
upgrade from Windows 95.
The upgrade to Windows 2000 required end-users to orient themselves
with a new interface. Now, Windows XP Professional features a
"skinning" approach to the interface and a compatibility feature
for software written to the older 9x code base, used for Windows 95
and Windows 98, both still commonly used in UK businesses.
The new feature could reduce total costs of moving to the new
system, according to Tony Lock, senior analyst at Bloor Research.
"The ability to phase in staff training independently of the roll
out of Windows XP is a perfect way to save costs and time during
the transition."
The concept of skinning is being taken from the home user market
where software can be given a totally customised look. For Windows
users this will allow the radically altered interface of Windows XP
to be given the look and feel of previous versions.
Neil Laver, Windows XP marketing manager at Microsoft, said, "This
will mean that the IT department can roll out Windows XP with the
look and feel of previous versions, train staff to use the new XP
interface, and then switch on the new interface once training is
completed."
Laver also claims that 80% of existing Windows 9x applications will
appear to run natively under XP. This relieves the situation for
Windows 2000 adopters where many software packages would not run on
the new code base. The majority of the remaining packages can be
easily configured to run through a utility shipped within XP.