Microsoft has recently released a beta-test
version of its latest Windows operating system, code-named
"Whistler". This step is the latest in Microsoft's attempts to
upgrade both home and business users onto a common operating system - a move
that is likely to prove very controversial.
The Windows NT family of operating systems
was developed, aimed at the business community. It is truly "multi-tasking"
and able to perform many functions simultaneously (assuming the PC has
sufficient memory and disk space). The latest incarnation of this product line
is Windows 2000.
On the other hand, the Windows 9X family has
its roots (still) in the old DOS (Disk Operating System) world that is entirely
single-tasking, although the latest versions use clever tricks to make it
appear to be doing several things at the same time.
"Whistler" (which could almost be
called Windows 2002) will aim to bring the home or small business user into the
realms of Windows NT and 2000. However, the implications for this are
immense.
The Windows 9X operating system has been the
most successful piece of software ever produced - it has sold hundreds of
millions of copies. Software "drivers" have been produced
specifically for the Windows 9X line and will not work under Windows NT/2000 or
"Whistler". It will therefore be necessary for the manufacturers of
hundreds of peripheral devices to produce new drivers - not an easy or short
term task!
In fact, Microsoft has been working for a
number of years to get manufacturers to produce drivers that follow a standard
that will work under either ranges of operating system. It is however, still a
mammoth task that will cause many in the ICT business community to think twice
before moving to Windows 2002.
[1] Drivers: (small pieces of
software that Windows uses to control peripheral hardware e.g. network cards,
printers, scanners, cameras, mice etc.)
