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Multimedia Capabilities
Microsoft added a number of new multimedia and Internet features to
Windows
XP Home Edition, including the following:
Internet Explorer 6 (IE6)
Windows Media Player 8 (WMP8)
MSN Explorer browser
IE6 is the next version of the popular browser from Microsoft. In its
newest release, it contains a couple of interesting features, which are
contained in the Personal Bar.The Personal Bar contains a Search
applet, an MSNBC News/ Stock/Weather applet, and a Media Player
applet in a resizable window. However, for the most part, IE6 acts like
IE5. From the outside, it has been refreshed to match the new interface,
with redesigned icons and rounded edges.You can see some of these
changes in Figure 1.1. Another addition to the Windows XP platform is
Windows Media Player 8. WMP8 builds upon the successful Windows
Media Player 7 by adding new interface changes, improvements in
copying from audio CD to hard disk (otherwise known as ripping), and
more skins for customizing the look of the player. Figure1.2 displays a
screenshot of WMP8.WMP8 now supports burning of audio CDs
from within the WMP itself.The following files types can be burned to
audio CD: .wma, .mp3 and .wav
The Start menu has also been transformed into a panel of links to the
various features within the OS. Figure 1.4 shows an example of the new
Start menu with most of the options enabled.
Security Enhancements
In terms of security,Microsoft has attempted to provide the benefits of
the Windows NT/2000 security model, while still making the system
easy to operate and administer. XP Home Edition has two account
types: Computer Administrator and Limited (refer to Figure 1.5).The
Computer Administrator can add, remove, and change user
accounts,make universal changes to the system, and install applica-
tions.A Limited user only has the capability to change his/her password.
Not included
Microsoft made the decision to leave out much of the enterprise features
from the Home Edition, choosing to include them in the Professional
edition. For example, if you need to add your PC to a Windows 2000 or
Windows NT domain, you must use Windows XP Professional.
Many of the neat things that are part of Windows 2000 Professional are
excluded from the Home Edition, but they are included in WinXP
Professional.These features include the following:
IntelliMirror technologies
Group Policy functionality
Encrypting file system support
Multiprocessor support