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Just last week, Microsoft conceded that all versions of Windows 2000, and early "beta" versions of its new XP operating system due out this fall, have a "serious vulnerability" that lets hackers take control of victims' machines. Microsoft, which is making patches available for Windows 2000, has urged consumers to "take action immediately" to fix the glitch. And it is promising to cure the problem before XP's rollout...
...village and all-around guy of the people, I was thrilled when the deal dropped dead. The company stooge in me drooled at the prospect of the two biggest players in Computerville divvying up the market. AOL would get premium distribution and placement in the October release of Windows XP, helping it add gazillions of new users to its rolls. In exchange, Microsoft would not have to worry about AOL's pressing assorted antitrust actions against...
...That doesn't mean that nothing changed. Look at Redmond these days and you'll see a kinder, gentler Microsoft. Many of the players who earned Jackson's opprobrium are gone; even Gates has receded under the considerable shadow of CEO Steve Ballmer. Windows XP, due out this fall, is much more respectful of non-Microsoft software than its predecessors (they've made it very easy to choose Netscape as your default browser, for example). Dubious add-ons like the "smart tags" that linked words to websites chosen by Microsoft have been quietly ditched...
What's not to like in Office XP? My main beef is the product-activation feature. When you first install the software, you are prompted to register online or by phone. Ignore it, and your copy will abruptly stop working and refuse to budge until you do the right thing. Same goes for multiple installations. You can load Office once or twice, but that's it. Microsoft says this is to prevent piracy and that if you call tech support with a good excuse, they may bend the rules, but it's a nuisance...
...more information on Office XP's new features, visit microsoft.com/office You can e-mail Anita at hamilton@time.com