SEATTLE - First there was the Microsoft millionaire. Now there'sthe Microsoft mother. In unveiling the next-generation computeroperating system last week, Microsoft officials repeatedly referredto their mothers as examples of neophyte computer users who willlove the new program. Called Windows XP, the system is intended togive personal computers smoother, easier-to-operate controls and tointeract easily with digital cameras, cellular phones and otherelectronic devices and the Internet.
"Windows XP is the system that I've always wanted to build, it'sthe system my mom deserves," said Jim Allchin, group vice presidentfor the platforms product group, who led thousands of employees whocreated the program over the past four years.
Allchin said he talked his mother out of buying a digital camerabecause he feared she would have trouble connecting it and wouldlose pictures on her computer. But since XP is so easy to use he'llrecommend she go ahead and get the camera, he said whiledemonstrating XP's photo-handling abilities.
"I think you're going to see it's like going from black and whiteto color," he said.
Allchin and Microsoft Chairman and Chief Software Architect BillGates demonstrated an early version of XP before about 100journalists and industry analysts Tuesday at the Experience MusicProject. They said the product will be available later this year,but haven't set the price.
Microsoft developers in the audience said XP was the largestsoftware project in history; Gates said it cost more than $1 billionto create.
The Redmond company's operating systems provide nearly a third ofits revenue, or more than $7 billion last year, and run more than 90percent of the world's personal computers.
Several analysts in the audience said XP will be easier tooperate and more reliable, but questioned whether it will appeal tobusiness users.
It also remains to be seen whether the system is jazzy enough topersuade consumers to put XP on their computers or to buy new, morepowerful computers that can make the most of XP's multimediacapabilities.
Eventually, consumers may not have a choice, if they want to runthe upcoming generation of software products designed for computersrunning XP.
"For some it will be compelling, but I'm guessing it's not goingto be the kind of ramp-up we saw around Windows 95," said DwightDavis, a Kirkland-based analyst with Summit Strategies.
While Allchin emphasized the consumer-oriented features of XP,such as its ability to handle video, photos and music without add-on programs, Gates talked about the ongoing importance of Windows inthe computer industry and showed video clips of computer executivesfrom Hewlett-Packard and Compaq who are embracing the new version.
Gates also talked about how XP was refined in response tocustomer suggestions. A feature that enables technical advisers toremotely take control of a computer to help with problems, forinstance, "will save millions of hours of people's time helping themget the most out of their Windows experience."
"The philosophy in this vision really comes from listening tousers," Gates said.
Further refinements are likely this spring after Microsoft getsfeedback from 30,000 testers who will receive the latest version ofXP next month, and from around 500,000 industry experts and softwaredevelopers who will also review the "beta 2" version before a finalversion is ready for sale.
Greg Sullivan, lead product manager in Microsoft's Windowsdivision, said the company is planning to ship the product in timefor the holiday retail season.
Sullivan also used his mother as an example of someone who wouldhave an easier time using XP than earlier versions of Windows.
"It's really going to take the fear out of computing for peoplewho have been a little tentative," he said.
Bob O'Donnell, device-technology research director for IDCconsulting in Mountain View, Calif., said XP's simplicity may notwow advanced computer users. They may have already modified theircomputers, using various third-party programs, to do all the tricksthat XP does, he noted.
"But does that mean it's not important to people who are nottechnically savvy, who are the vast majority of users?" he said.
A bigger factor for buyers of all types may be the system'sreliability, O'Donnell said. With XP, Microsoft for the first timewill offer consumer and business operating systems based on the samecode base, the code Microsoft created to run its NT businesssoftware.
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