Commentary: XP update's small splash
C|Net | at | by Mike
Don't let all the issues swirling around Service Pack 1 for Windows XP confuse you. SP1 offers modest improvements that will not affect most companies significantly. Some security-conscious companies may have delayed XP deployments. Although SP1 includes few new security features, it may send a signal that it's all right to proceed with those deployments. In any case, Gartner never recommended that most companies wait for that reason. Three other issues will have minimal impact on companies. First, SP1 will let PC makers swap out some Microsoft "middleware" applications--the Internet browser, media player, instant messaging and e-mail clients, and Java Virtual Machine. PC vendors will thus get more flexibility in how they configure their machines, and they can use this to strike deals with other software vendors and generate extra revenue. But Gartner doesn't think users will ultimately see much lower prices.