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Microsoft: What's Next?
by Arie Slob
Hello Windows users,
 So now that Windows XP is released, what's up next at the Redmond campus? Glad you asked....
Microsoft has a few projects in the works. I'll focus on the OS here.... First of all, work on Service Pack 1 for Windows XP is expected to pick up shortly. It isn't yet in beta, but my bet is that it won't be long. For Windows 200 it took nearly 6 months for the first Service Pack to arrive... I think it will be a little quicker this time around.
Service Pack?? It's just a week out! Yes, Microsoft has identified a number of "issues" (we like to call 'em bugs) during late Release Candidate testing, but since there were no so called "show stoppers", the release went ahead according to time schedule. These schedules aren't set by the developers, but are dictated by marketing. Anyway, expect to see Windows XP SP 1 in the not so distant future! In the mean time, there are already well over 10MB of updates available on the Windows Update Web site, with 1 (1.9MB) critical update, a 161KB update when using an UPS, a 272KB update for CD Burners, a 2.2MB Application Compatibility Update, a 794KB update to the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard, a 350KB update to Remote Assistance, a 826KB Windows Messenger Update and a 3.3MB Windows Movie Maker Update (if you haven't downloaded Java yet, there's another 5.5MB Java VM). Then you could probably find some updated drivers too. According to Microsoft they have added hundreds of drivers after the Windows XP code was frozen on August 24.
Next up (probably in 2003) will be the release of a Windows version code-named "Longhorn," which will basically be an upgrade to Windows XP in the same way Windows 98 Second Edition was an upgrade of Windows 98. According to Bill Gates the next major release is due in 2005, currently code-named "Blackcomb".
Then there is of course the server version of Windows XP, called Windows .NET Server, which is approaching Beta 3, and expected to ship by the middle of 2002.
So there will be some movement on the OS front for the foreseeable future!
Rose City Software
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Microsoft Security
Invalid Universal Plug and Play Request can Disrupt System Operation
The Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) service allows computers to discover and use network-based devices. A vulnerability results because the UPnP service does not correctly handle certain types of invalid UPnP requests. On Windows 98, 98SE, and ME systems, receiving such a request could cause a variety of effects ranging from slow performance to system failure. On Windows XP, the effect is less serious as the flaw consists of a memory leak
Affected Software Versions
- Microsoft Windows 98, 98SE, Me, XP
More...
Recent Support BBS Postings
XP Upgrade Advisor Issues - Windows XP
Hyperlinks not working - Internet Explorer
DUN won't even try to remember my password!! - Windows 98
TimeSink Folder - Applications
Normal CPU Operating Temperature - Hardware
Web Site Updates
These pages were added/updated in the past week. Information on previously updated/added pages is available on the What's New? page for 1 month.
InfiniSource.com
Added: Upgrading to a Speedy Intel Penitum 4, Part II
Added: Upgrading to a speedy Intel Pentium 4
Added: Intel Still Aiming For the Speediest CPU Processors
Windows-Help.NET
Added: Microsoft Security: Invalid Universal Plug and Play Request can Disrupt System Operation
Windows XP
Added: File and Settings Transfer Wizard
Added: Create a Password Recovery Disk
Added: Internet Connection Firewall
Added: Hibernate
Added: Hide Users on the Welcome Screen
Added: Display Administrator Account on Welcome Screen
Added: Microsoft PowerToys for Windows XP
Updated: Windows XP, Installing and Setup
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Highlights
Upgrading to a speedy Intel P4
Part I: Low prices permit do-it-yourself upgrades for a fraction of the cost!
Part II: How much faster is that new upgraded Pentium 4 system?
Intel Still Aiming For the Speediest CPU Processors
Still relying upon optical technology, Intel aims for 10GHz chips.
Read Full Article
Windows XP Security List
Office XP Activation Update
Provides you with the latest improvements in hardware identification for your version of Microsoft Office XP. Currently, Office XP is not able to detect some hardware you may have connected to your computer. This requires you to reactivate your copy of Office XP when adding hardware. By downloading this update, you can avoid needing to reactivate your program.
Download (2.26MB - multi language)
Windows Online Crash Analysis
If you experience a blue screen crash event, or Stop error, while using Microsoft Windows XP, NT 4.0 or 2000, you can upload the error report to this site for analysis. Microsoft will try to determine the cause of the Stop error you submit, categorize it according to the type of issue encountered, and send you the initial results by e-mail within 24 hours. You can check the status of your error report at any time.
Windows OCA
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03 Nov. 2001, Vol 4 No. 44
