Millennium supports the Easy PC initiative, which is a joint venture between
Microsoft, Intel Corp. and PC makers to remove older hardware components from PCs and at
the same time make the products simpler to use. Under the initiative PC makers, for
example, eliminate the 16-bit ISA bus for communications and video boards and rely on
newer technologies, such as universal serial bus.
Activity Centers group tools for specific functions together into a single window. A
Photo Center and a Music Center will help users to catalog photos and music. A Game Center
will help users install games and help tune their PCs for gaming by helping to optimize
system resources.
Microsoft works to improve Internet and home network access with a series of wizards
that, for example, allow a user to easily connect to a universal plug-and-play
enabled
device. Universal Plug-and-Play is a new device-connection technology from Microsoft for
connecting over a network devices including PCs, appliances and consumer electronics.
A number of other features will aim to ease set up. Microsoft will also add self-healing
features to the operating system: This feature automatically reinstalls certain key
Windows files if they are deleted accidentally.
System Restore
Digital media enhancements. The new OS is more nimble with digital pictures, video, music and gaming
(though it doesn't include all the software). View digital pictures straight from the
camera. Store and retrieve movies. Transfer videos without sweating bandwidth.
Networking the home. Windows
ME's built-in networking wizard aims to take the difficulty out of setting up a home
network. Microsoft hopes to set the standard for home networking with
its Universal Plug and Play technology.
Improved online experience.
Internet Explorer 5.5 will be integrated into Windows ME, rendering pages faster as well
as previewing them for printing more quickly.
Faster boot up. Microsoft claims
most computers will boot Windows ME in less than 30 seconds.
Problem Areas
DOS application users -- are any of you still out there? Windows ME
is backwards compatible, but not that far.
Summation
These improvements fall into three general categories:
First (and perhaps most important), Microsoft has added features that make
the OS faster. Windows Me should boot up more quickly, prevent you from
deleting critical files, and if your system really gets out of whack, even turn back time
to restore your system to working order.
Finally, Windows Me has improved support for digital imaging and
multimedia, with new applications for grabbing images from digital cameras, making your
own movies, and tuning in to streaming audio and video.
Note:
Some people have noticed that MSBackup is
not installed by default in Windows ME.
Here is where to find it:
To install Microsoft Backup on your system, browse to the Add-ons\Msbackup folder in the Windows Millennium Edition
CD-ROM. Locate the Backup Iexpress installation package (msbexp.exe). Double click on msbexp.exe. The package
will open and provide instructions for completing the installation.
Price: Windows Me Step-Up $49.99 (for Windows 98 and 98 SE)
Windows Me Upgrade $89.99 (for Windows 3.1 / 98 / 98SE / 95)
Windows Me Full Version $169.99 (For a PC with-out Windows)
Note:
End of support for Windows 98 and Windows Me
Published: January 18, 2006
June 30, 2006 will bring a close to Extended Support for Windows 98, Windows 98 Second Edition, and Windows Me as part of the Microsoft Lifecycle Policy. Microsoft will retire public and technical support, including security updates, by this date.
Existing support documents and content, however, will continue to be available through the Microsoft Support Product Solution Center Web site. This Web site will continue to host a wealth of previous How-to, Troubleshooting, and Configuration content for anyone who may need self-service.
Here=> http://support.microsoft.com/gp/hublist
Microsoft is retiring support for these products because they are outdated and can expose customers to security risks. We recommend that customers who are still running Windows 98 or Windows Me upgrade to a newer, more secure Microsoft operating system, such as Windows XP, as soon as possible.
Customers who upgrade to Windows XP report improved security, richer functionality, and increased productivity.
