WinInsider

David Coursey, an executive editor at ZDNet Anchordesk, and CNET correspondent Melissa Francis take you on a tour of the new graphical user interface inside Microsoft's Windows XP.

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You been hearing about Windows XP since the dawn of time, you know it inside-out.  You practically worked with the developers that made it.  Now is your change to put your know-how to ultimate test. Windows XP Challenge!

How well do you know Windows XP? Test your expertise on this challenging Windows XP quiz. A perfect score, 100 percent, earns you access to an exclusive download of a new visual theme for your PC based on Halo, one of the phenomenal games for Xbox, Microsoft's soon-to-be-released video game system.

Microsoft will continue its hard core push to educate and inspire developers about its raft of .NET products and services at its Professional Developer's Conference (PDC) in Los Angeles next week, with a handful of developers and partners showing off some early work that takes advantage of that technology. One company that appears to be increasingly important in Microsoft's evolving Web services strategy is peer-to-peer pioneer Groove Networks, which Microsoft bought a 20 percent stake in last week. Groove next week will demonstrate a prototype of a client-based p-to-p product designed to work with Microsoft's upcoming Pocket PC.

Microsoft Corp. said on Monday it will take any legal action it can against a an unidentified hacker who breached its antipiracy technology last week, enabling users to distribute songs without restrictions. Microsoft group product manager Jonathan Usher told Reuters the damage to Microsoft's overall digital rights management software would be slight, although some music on the market had lost its protection. "We learned about the hack on Friday and were on the phone with our content partners right away," he said. "We have built in a means to update the protections for cases such as this, and we're still implementing that renewability."

Analysts agreed, predicting that shareholders will flock to Microsoft as other tech companies predict even bigger worries than the Redmond, Wash. software maker. "I think what's likely to happen is that we'll see Microsoft ... become a safe haven for technology investors,'' said Brendan Barnicle, an analyst with Pacific Crest Securities. "It's got reliable earnings and it's a company that's not going to blow up even though PC growth has slowed.'' For its fiscal first quarter ended Sept. 30, Microsoft saw earnings drop by 42 percent, but still managed to beat Wall Street's reduced expectations.

Windows Messenger, the instant messaging (IM) software included in Microsoft's Windows XP operating system, moves the concept of IM to a new level and could further intensify competition among the top three IM providers. What is so different about Windows Messenger is collaboration: Users can now work together on the same application, instead of just exchanging messages about a joint project. Even before the arrival of Windows Messenger, Microsoft was narrowing the gap separating its second-place MSN Messenger from first-place AOL Instant Messenger, also known as AIM. Yahoo, meanwhile, continues running a strong third with its Yahoo Messenger.

Massive Industry and Developer Support for Microsoft .NET on Display At Professional Developers Conference 2001
Partners and Customers Unveil Plethora of New .NET Solutions, Underscore Business Value of Industry's Fastest Growing Developer Platform.

On the eve of its annual Professional Developers Conference, Microsoft Corp. today demonstrated tremendous industry and customer support for Microsoft .NET. Building on open XML Web services as the means to get different technologies to interoperate, the .NET platform provides a next-generation software foundation to connect the world of information, devices and people in a more unified and personalized way. The .NET Platform gives software developers the tools and technology to quickly and efficiently deliver business solutions that span multiple applications, devices and organizations.

Windows XP Leads Industry in Adoption of Key Wireless Standards. Windows XP First Operating System to Support Wi-Fi Networks, IEEE 802.1x Mobile Security Standards; Enables New Generation of Easy-to-Use Mobile Solutions.

Microsoft Corp. today announced that the Microsoft Windows XP operating system leads the industry as the first platform to include native support for Wi-Fi networks and IEEE 802.1x wireless security standards. The move enhances the comprehensive support in Windows XP for wireless and mobile computing, giving people the best possible experience as they connect seamlessly and securely to their computer networks from home, work and on the road.

Who runs SAP solutions faster? The answer: Microsoft Corp. New record results show that a 32-processor Unisys server running Microsoft Windows 2000 Datacenter Server and Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Enterprise Edition delivers the best performance on the highly coveted SAP Standard Application Sales and Distribution (SD) Benchmark. E-businesses that rely on their software and hardware to deliver headroom for growth can achieve better results with a Windows- and SQL Server-based system.

In celebration of the Windows XP launch Thursday, Microsoft announced this weekend that it will host a free hour-long concert in New York City featuring pop recording artist Sting. The concert will be held at Bryant Park in NYC at 1:00 pm, directly following the XP launch at the Marriot Marquis Theater. At Sting's request, Microsoft will donate software to two schools affected by the September 11 terrorist attacks in appreciation for his participation in the day's festivities.