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XP - What does it mean for you?

 Redmond Washington must be really busy, because once again they are releasing another OS to either sell more, get upgrades or confuse the heck out of us. (Sound like anyone else you know??)

Anyway, we have taken a peak at Microsoft XP Professional to get RemoteDesk ready, here is what we found;

  • The core kernel of Windows XP is essentially the Windows NT kernel, which means Windows 2000 and ME users are on the right track. Windows XP is however not the next version of Windows, but a whole new Windows. It is designed to give you full access to your office computer and all your data and programs via the Internet or a corporate network—when you’re away from your desk.

  • Why would you consider this version?
    In some cases it will arrive on a new PC that you buy, and then at that point you will need to deal with it, or re-do the operating system to match your server. In other cases, you will have a chance to determine whether it fits with your business operations. Some things to consider before you upgrade is to make sure your existing software will run on it. RemoteDesk did not. We discovered that it installed drivers that are not compatible with previous versions of their own access database table drivers. The speed of integration and transfer is unbearably slow. From minutes to hours, so watch for this!!! So your software may have delays, or require you to upgrade. Be sure to account for this.

    But here is the interesting features that we liked;

  • Remote Desktop - This is something that appears to be very useful.
    Remote Desktop (They wanted RemoteDesk, but this was already taken) is a similar concept to RemoteDesk- being productive while on the road. While RemoteDesk is off-line however, Remote Desktop is designed for people who want to be absolutely connected to the head office and its data. Remote Desktop (not available in the home version, you must use the Client portion) is based on the technology behind Terminal Services in Windows NT® Server and Windows 2000 Server. Windows XP Professional now makes this technology available and easy for anyone to use.

  • Remote Desktop Web Connection If you want to have remote control over your computer from any computer on the Internet without installing client software, you can use Remote Desktop Web connection. You just enter a Web address to securely connect and control your computer remotely from inside the Internet Explorer browser software.

  • More power for End Users Windows XP Professional adds several capabilities to make Remote Desktop useful for your day–to–day computing. These include:
    • System redirection - Files on the remote computer are accessible through Remote Desktop as if they were on a network–shared drive. You can save a document on your home computer, and then start Remote Desktop and use programs on your office computer to edit that document.
    • Printer redirection - You can work remotely with documents on your office computer, and then print the documents on your printer at home.
    • Port redirection - You can use the devices on your home computer and the applications on your office computer together via Remote Desktop.
    • Clipboard - The Remote Desktop and the client computer share a clipboard that allows data to be interchanged.
    • ActiveSync - Remote Desktop also provides the capability to remotely use power management, offline files and folders, and ActiveSync® technology. This is a great asset to RemoteDesk and RemoteCE for PocketPC.
    • IrDA support - Again for RemoteDesk this is great. Print and upload without cables.
    • Infrared (IrComm) Modem - For RemoteDesk, another great feature. IrComm Modem is a driver that allows you to connect to legacy cellular telephones that have IrComm virtual serial ports. Upload orders while on the road.
    • Video instant messaging - finally it will be easy to video conference
    • System Restore - you can roll back your OS to a time it was working fine - Yeah!
    • Registration - This is tight now. You have 30 days to activate a keycode, for one machine. Something to consider if you are upgrading your entire office. You will have to check the license agreement and more than likely purchase multiple copies. You can't reboot after 30 days if not activated.

  • What Is a Windows XP Ready PC? A Windows XP Ready PC* must meet the following hardware requirements:
    • Preinstalled with Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional or Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition (Windows Me) operating system
    • Displays the “Designed for Windows 2000” or “Designed for Windows 2000/Me” logo on the PC or notebook
    • Has a minimum of 128 megabytes (MB) of RAM

  • How does this affect RemoteDesk?

    For current RemoteDesk users, we are working on a Microsoft XP release, which will take advantage of some built-in utilities and integration. Do not install Microsoft XP however until you have been notified of a version 3.2, which will be an XP release. For new users purchasing RemoteDesk after August 15th, 2001, we will be providing you with free upgrades to this version.

    For complete details and to get a pre-release evaluation version to test your products, visit: Microsoft XP Professional