UNIT 5
Windows XP is designed to work for individuals and power users, and comes initially in three versions: Home Edition (for home and small offices), Professional (for offices), and 64 bit Edition (for technical workstations that use the Intel Itanium CPU). At the end of 2001, Microsoft plans to release two more editions of Windows XP, renamed : Server and Advanced Server (for server machines on small and large networks). If you plan to use the Windows. NET Server or Advanced Server versions, refer to《 Server and Advanced Server: The Complete Reference》by Kathy Ivens, (Osborne/McGraw Hill, 2001). The Microsoft Web site contains details about Windows XP at
UNIT 5
Versions of Windows XP and Windows 2002 For years, Microsoft has produced two editions of Windows, one for desktops (that is, for individual users, including for use on laptops) and one for servers (computers that provide services over networks). 2The desktop versions were Windows 3.1, 95, 98, and Me, and were intended for workstation use—that is, on computers that people used directly. The server versions were Windows NT 4, NT 5, and 2000, and were intended for use on servers (computers that provide services to other computers on a network) as well as for high-end un upgrade to Windows XP from Windows 98 or Me, or you can do a “clean install” to replace any previous version of Windows on your computer. You can also buy a computer with Windows XP preinstalled. Once Windows XP is installed, you can run Windows compatible application programs (programs for getting real world work done). 3Windows XP comes bundled with many programs, most of which aren’t actually part of the operating system, including Internet connection software (dial-up connections), an e-mail program (Outlook Express), a Web browser (Internet Explorer), a simple word processing program (WordPad), an instantmessaging program (Windows Messenger), local network support, utilities that help with harddisk housekeeping, and dozens of other programs.
UNIT 5
The Introduction of Windows XP What Is Windows XP? Windows XP is the latest desktop version of Microsoft’s Windows series of programs. It’s the upgrade to the consumer versions of Windows (95, 98, and Me) as well as to the business, server, and power user versions (Windows NT and 2000). 1Windows is an operating system, a program that manages your entire computer system, including its screen, keyboard, disk drives, memory, and central processor. Windows also provides a graphical user interface, or GUI, which enables you to control your computer by using a mouse, windows, and icons. You can also use the keyboard to give commands; this book describes both methods.