XP Professional SP2

XP Professional SP2
Manufacturer: Microsoft
Our Reviews :
This version of Windows XP is designed for business use and has the tools needed to be installed on a network. Vista includes several business versions previously unavailable in XP Pro. Vista includes an Enterprise edition for large operations with international business and a Business version for small companies on smaller networks. The Vista Ultimate version includes the Media Center and all versions include tablet and sideshow abilities as well as enhanced networking ability and a high level of security.
Windows XP Pro supports remote access, roaming user profiles and remote desktops, so it is well suited to laptops and business travel. Since this is one of Microsoft’s most popular products they provide online and live training, webcasts, podcasts, certification and much more.
XP Professional can also perform basic functions like play DVDs, manage images, run popular software and sync to portable devices easily. It basically does everything XP Home does with additional networking, security and administration tools.
Home and Office Use:Since this OS does everything XP Home does, it will perform all basic home use functions; however, it costs more than the Home version.
This program is intended for office/business use. It can be installed on a network and supports centralized administration. It can run all popular office programs like Microsoft Office, Quickbooks, PeachTree, Outlook, FrontPage, Dreamweaver, Adobe programs and any other software intended for PCs. XP Pro can also support older programs that you may still like to use that were designed for previously released operating systems.
XP Pro is available in 25 localized versions and can display and edit hundreds of languages including those that employ Unicode fonts. They also offer a Windows XP Multilingual User Interface Pack, which is an add–on to the English version that allows users to switch the language of the interface.
Multimedia:
This OS is not intended for entertainment; however, it can perform basic functions like play Internet radio, play/burn DVDs and CDs and can manage images.
Security:
Besides Vista, this OS provides more security options than any other Microsoft OS. It has the basics like a firewall, pop–up blockers, antispyware, cookie management and antivirus software. You can also create safe lists so the pages you want to access are not blocked or you can block downloads from specific sites. Additionally, updates are available frequently to combat newly created viruses, phishing endeavors, spyware, scripts and adware.
For Internet exchanges they employ protocols they call Internet Protocol Security (IPSec) and Kerberos V5 Authentication. IPSec checks for appropriate security levels before computers communicate and Kerberos V5 Authentication provides a way for mutual authentication by a password, Kerberos ticket or a smart card.
Since many businesses use wireless Internet, Microsoft has equipped this OS with the ability to search for and connect to wireless connections automatically. This OS also aims to ensure a secure connection to IEEE 802.1X, wired/wireless LANs, 802.11 LANs, remote NDIS, NDIS over USB, IEEE 1394, IrDA and Ethernet.
XP Pro can also encrypt (NTFS file system) files, folders or data stored on disc for added security. If you want to update, but are worried about your previously encrypted files, XP Pro can work with NTFS, FAT16 and FAT32 files systems and run both OSs so you don’t have to worry about file loss.
Networking: Windows XP Professional is equipped to network. It can do everything from simple networking to server based networks. Microsoft offers single licenses, volume licensing for upgrades and non transferable OEM operating system licenses.
For small businesses or those new to networking, they include a networking wizard to help you set up a network and also offer network diagnostic tools to help troubleshoot possible network problems.
XP Pro excels in providing remote access. From any PC running an XP OS you can access a remote desktop host with XP Pro and work with all files, applications and settings of the host desktop. This means that you can essentially ‘use’ your office computer from any computer running XP, so you can work from anywhere. Of course they provide the security tools needed to make this arrangement secure. XP Pro also supports this type of arrangement within a network. So an administrator can access a computer from another computer in the network, provided they have the right security profile.
This OS can support multiple users and access profiles. So the administrator can create profiles for every employee or per department to regulate which files, applications or computers they can access. These profiles can also be set up as roaming profiles so the settings go with the user regardless of which computer they log on to. XP Pro also supports group and user policies. So an administrator can apply setting to a whole group or department all at once or to just one individual at a time.
To make large transfers easier they have a feature called User State Migration. With this tool administrators can transfer multiple users at once while maintaining all desired settings and policies.
Ease of Use:This OS is easy to use, yet for large networking projects you may benefit from working with one of Microsoft’s consultants. Individual users will find the program easy to use.
This version of XP is well designed for laptop use as well. It has battery saving features, standby, hibernation and can adjust to static or dynamic IP addresses automatically. For security it encrypts files so if a laptop is stolen confidential files are protected. Unfortunately, this version is not yet ready to work with flash drives, but Vista is.
Technical Help/Support:
This is one of Microsoft’s most popular products and they offer extensive training and online information as well as support packages and consulting. You can also contact them by telephone, email, chat or you can attend a live training session.
Microsoft offers remote assistance so they can access your system remotely and help you with specific problems. They also provide device rollbacks, driver downloads and updates, system restores, forums and much more. In addition, they offer international support.
Summary:
This is the best OS for businesses available at this time from Microsoft. When upgrading to Vista be sure to pick the version that best suites how you do business.
Source : http:///windows-operating-system-reviews.toptenreviews.com