Me generation no big leap from past

By MICHAEL FOREMAN


Microsoft has plumped for the grandiose name of "Millennium Edition" for the latest consumer version of its operating system, but Windows 98 Final Edition would have been a more descriptive choice.

For Millennium - available worldwide on September 14 at an introductory price of $129 - is the third and last edition of Windows 98.

And when Millennium becomes obsolete in 12 to 18 months it will be replaced by Whistler, the code name for an operating system based on Windows 2000 (formerly Windows NT).

Whistler will appear in six or more versions to meet the needs of small portables, small businesses and large corporations.

As each version will be constructed from building blocks taken from a single common base of code, Microsoft hopes that Whistler will usher in an era of unparalleled harmony, stability, reliability and compatibility.

We recently asked a visiting Microsoft senior executive why, in view of this approaching golden age, his company did not simply stick with the existing Windows 98 SE until Whistler arrived.

He replied that industry developments such as "legacy free" PCs using the USB (universal serial bus) interface and developments in digital media required something more to bridge the gap.

Cue Millennium or "Me," which Microsoft claims enhances PC health, digital media, the online experience and home networking.

We installed RC (Release Candidate) 2 on a lightly loaded 400MHz Celeron-powered PC with 64Mb of memory, which was well above the recommended minimum of a 200MHz with 32Mb of RAM.

After a smooth installation that took about an hour, three automatic restarts and a final blink, the Millennium desktop popped up noticeably quicker than 98 SE.

There were some striking similarities with Windows 2000, especially with Recycle Bin and My Computer icons.

We also discovered that while newcomers to computing will soon take to Millennium, more experienced users are likely to develop a loathing for it just as quickly. While many of the enhancements under the "PC health" category are designed to protect the system from novices, they obstruct more adept users.

For example, while Windows 98 SE does not show you the contents of sensitive folders unless you ask, with Me you must insist to the point of rudeness. Similarly, the DOS prompt has not been killed but has certainly been buried. A DOS shortcut can still be found deep in the Windows folder but it is no longer an option after a restart - it must be invoked from a system start-up floppy.

A new feature, called System File Protection, prevents users from deleting vital Windows files, and in a similar vein Millennium introduces System Restore, which seems to have been inspired by a utility called GoBack, recently acquired by Adaptec.

This restores a PC to a state when it was last working properly, by saving configuration settings at "restore points" - either automatically or manually before a new programme is installed, for example. At any time thereafter, the System Restore wizard can be summoned and displays the saved restore points on a calendar.

Clicking on any one will take the PC back to its settings on that day without affecting documents such as word processor.

This all works very well but you could forgive Adaptec for thinking Microsoft has stolen its thunder.

To add insult to injury, GoBack is one of quite a lengthy list of utility programmes, including Dr Solomon Anti-Virus, BlackICE Defender, Norton Internet Security and PGP Personal privacy, that are not compatible with Millennium except in late versions.

In the case of GoBack, only the latest version 2.2 will run, and even this must be removed before Millennium can be installed.

Users can re-install GoBack 2.2 afterwards but their "history" files - the equivalent of restore points - will have been deleted and with System Restore now in place will anyone bother?

In the digital media department the highlight is Windows Media Player 7, bringing the capabilities of Microsoft's player into line with rivals WinAmp and Real.

Version 7 will now rip audio CDs into a Microsoft digital format claimed to be equivalent to CD-quality.

It now features "skins," another borrowed idea that alters the player's appearance, sometimes grotesquely, according to a range of preset themes.

But since this player has been available free for download since July, it's hardly a reason to buy Millennium.

The same can be said for the new Internet Explorer 5.5, which apparently includes lots of behind-the-scenes enhancements but little noticeable change, apart from the ability to print preview web pages or send them by email more easily.

What is new is Windows Movie Maker - a neat little package for editing video clips and attaching soundtracks, and a new home networking wizard that guides the user through the daunting process of connecting PCs together.

There are also a few new games that may be played against online opponents, but overall for the money there's little to get excited about. Unless you are a tech-head who has probably already converted to Linux, some aspects of Millennium would be welcome pre-installed on a new PC.

But we don't expect many Windows 98 users will be rushing out to buy a copy.