Microsoft to Add Services to Windows XP
WinInfo | at | by Mike
Under fire to make Windows XP-bundled products and services optional, Microsoft will instead add more services to the OS that users will be able to download from Microsoft's Windows Update Web site. These product and services include key updates to technology in XP, such as a new version of Windows Messenger and the addition of .NET Alerts and a .NET Rendezvous service.
"Rendezvous will allow things like real-time communications between people," Microsoft Vice President Jim Allchin told eWeek. "If you use Windows Messenger in XP--and you can choose not to--you will have to use the HailStorm Passport and the Rendezvous services." The .NET Rendezvous service, which will be of part of an updated version of Windows Messenger, lets users visually connect to each other through the Internet. For example, a user can request help from the corporate Help Desk in a work environment or from a friend in a home environment. The service will enable the Help Desk or friend, connect to the user's system, and help troubleshoot the problem.