True web lifestyle finally arrives

By CHRIS BARTON

There's no doubt Windows XP, Microsoft's latest version of its ubiquitous operating system, represents a huge change in personal computing - especially for home users.

It's not just that the software is so much more stable than previous consumer versions. XP's real strength lies in the way it transforms the PC into a really useful global communications device.

With XP and an "always-on" internet connection, the web lifestyle has truly arrived.

Some say XP's features are nothing new, and to some extent they are right. But what XP does is make web communication an almost seamless process and much easier to use.

In PC jargon, it's called integration - the combining of multiple functions into one interface.

I notice the change in the way my family have taken to the software like ducks to water. They all love having their own space on the PC. True, individual login accounts and security settings have been there before, but not like this.

Much of the appeal comes from the cuteness - the ability to personalise one's own space with different pictures, names icons and wallpaper. Again, not particularly new - but it's all much more immediate and easy to do.

There's also better privacy with password-controlled access for multiple users on the one PC.

Creating a new account immediately creates a separate My Documents folder - plus Favourites, My Music and My Pictures. Try to access anyone else's account and you get a short sharp "Access denied".

Another hit with the family, especially the 10-year-old, is MSN Explorer, Microsoft's all-in-one e-mail, web browsing and instant messenger software. Most in our household already have e-mail accounts with Hotmail, so they didn't think twice about what Passport was and that the software requires a sign-in each time. They were also lulled by more cuteness - the ability to personalise with pictures and the cheery voice greeting when you sign in.

The family loves having everything in the one place - websites, messenger buddies for chat and Hotmail e-mail in a much more convenient format.

But wait, there's more - web-based My Calendar, My Radio, My Communities, My Stuff and so on. It's all part of Microsoft's grand plan to make the web lifestyle safe, convenient - and controlled by Microsoft.

Which is where the web lifestyle may have a dark side. While my family blithely sign up with Microsoft Passport for their cyber identity, I've resisted.

That's despite Windows XP exhorting me several times to "click here to set up your passport now" to get access to "internet communication features" and "net-enabled services".

Since I don't use Hotmail or MSN Messenger, so far I've not felt the need.

But I suspect it will only be a matter of time before I want to use XP's voice and video chat, or call for help using remote assistance.

At which time I'll have to think long and hard about the online privacy implications.

Do I want Microsoft to control my cyber identity and hold personal information about me? Absolutely not. But even though I'm not happy about the "product activation" feature of XP - which seamlessly sends my name, address and information about my PC to Microsoft via the web - I go along with it. It's one of the prices you pay for using the software.

It's also not all bad - especially when it comes to automatically getting software updates. Who knows - one day Microsoft may get it's update service so finely tuned that it fixes PC problems before you know they exist.

My agonising about online privacy may already be too late. Alert reader Adrian pointed out this clause in the XP Eula (end user licence agreement): "Consent to Use of Data. You agree that Microsoft and its affiliates may collect and use technical information gathered in any manner as part of the product support services provided to you, if any, related to the product. Microsoft may use this information solely to improve our products or to provide customised services or technologies to you. Microsoft may disclose this information to others, but not in a form that personally identifies you."

As Adrian points out, Microsoft does collect information about your PC over the internet. For some this is seen as the thin end of the wedge which legitimises the online invasion of privacy.

I'm also concerned at the way XP seems to run off to the web with a mind of its own. My ZoneAlarm firewall has gone crazy since XP was installed. Programs I've never encountered before - like Igfxtray and hkcmd (both from Intel) which want to connect to the web doing god knows what.

Then there's svchost.exe - "a generic host process name for services that are run from dynamic-link libraries".

My brain hurts trying to understand what is going on here and Microsoft's local response has been vague too. Just what are these "services" and what are they doing on the net? Should I be worried that several sit listening to various ports on my PC whenever I'm online?

Another web lifestyle anxiety to add to a growing list.

* chris_barton@nzherald.co.nz

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