Codename: Whistler

Codename: Whistler

This preview examines the feature-set in the Professional version of Windows XP, code-named "Whistler." There were extensive changes between Beta 1 and Beta 2, build 2462a. (See part 3 of this feature or the image gallery for a look at the revamped interface of Beta 2 and later releases).

Whistler is the codename for the successor to Windows 2000 officially known as Windows XP. It is, the company says, intended for consumers and business users -- finally breaking with the "parallel paths" tradition that has seen Windows NT and Windows 2000 targeting business users, while Windows 95/98 and Me have been designed for the home.

There will, however, still be Windows XP versions specifically targeting each of these groups -- in fact, a whole family of releases are planned, ranging from a feature-reduced Personal Edition supporting only one CPU, through to a high-end 64-bit version. In between these two extremes will be a family of products roughly analogous to the lineup of Windows 2000. Beta 2 of Whistler (in both 32- and 64-bit versions) followed several internal betas, the last few of which were widely leaked on the Net.  Microsoft has publicly stated that it expects to ship the final version in Q3 of 2001.

When you first boot up the OS, you see a welcome screen with a listing of user profiles, typically the administrator, one or more user accounts and a limited-access "guest" account. When you switch from user to user, it doesn't close applications or the net connection. Each account is associated with a random photo icon. You can, however, customize these icons in the Control panel later on.

The Display property dialog presents the option to more radically change the user interface than seen in any previous version of Windows -- although this is still less than is possible with a program such as StarDock's WindowBlinds. One theme, formerly known as "Professional" and now known as "Watercolor," performs a nearly instant makeover of the whole GUI, with indented panels instead of protruding buttons, a no-nonsense (no gradient) flat look to all the title bars in all windows and a host of other changes that are more business-like than seen in any Microsoft OS since Windows 3.1. There's also a "Classic Windows" theme -- and, in beta 2 and later releases, a "hip" variant in the style of Apple's Aqua called "Luna." We expect to see dozens of third-party efforts emerge as the product nears release. In short, it's hard to complain that the interface is too foreign, too familiar or anything else -- if you don't like it, you can change it!

Other GUI changes possible in Whistler include customization options for the Start Menu, as shown here -- or replacement of it entirely, if you wish. But there are a number of user interface changes that are more than cosmetic makeovers. For example, when you open a drive window containing files and select one of the files, a list of virtually every option available to perform on the file is presented at the left side of the windows -- think of it as a right-button context menu for those who didn't know the thing existed. Notable items in this list of options include "Publish to the Web," "Rename," "Move this File," "Copy this file" and so on. There's also a list of other locations to which you can drag the file: My Documents, Shared Documents, Recycle Bin, etc.Also radically altered are the Standard File Dialogs. In Whistler, they resemble Microsoft Outlook or FrontPage 2000, with a bar running down the left side, showing various locations: There are icons for History, Desktop, My Documents, My Computer and Network Places. Build 2410 and later betas introduced a few other visual changes, too, including an "alpha blending" effect for icons and the repositioning of the Recycle Bin to the lower right of the Desktop by default, in what appears to be a nod to the look of the Mac Desktop.

There are, of course, a number of new features included with the OS. A Remote Access utility, similar to that provided by AT&T Labs' VNC, allows remote control of another computer -- a feature likely to greatly ease remote troubleshooting and problem-solving.

The Control Panel (seen here with pastel colours and a radically different style of artwork to that usually seen in Windows icons) continues the evolution first seen in Windows Me, with items categorized into groups. This trend is seen in drive windows, too. Your drives are grouped into hard disks, removable drives and document categories; with context options plainly displayed along the left side of the window for each. As with Windows Me, this grouping option can be disabled, if desired. Oddly, the free disk space display graph seen in Windows 2000 and Windows Me is no longer provided in the Web view of a standard window -- you have to get properties for the disk drive to see it.

Apparently in an effort to create an OS that can serve the needs of both the beginner and the seasoned expert, there are a plethora of customization options hidden away in the Start Menu configuration dialogs and Control Panel options. Administrators (or parents) are able to lock or reposition the taskbar, hide or customize favorites, or customize virtually any other aspect of the Start menu/panel and taskbar. Another interesting feature is the ability to hide all the icons that clutter up the lower-right corner of the taskbar -- many of us who've installed a few utilities now have a whole collection of obscure icons in this corner. Whistler makes it possible to hide them all until they are activated or a single "master icon" is selected. There's even a desktop cleanup wizard that wakes up every 60 days to sweep all your unused clutter into a folder for easy backup.

Important Details

One gets the impression that the user interface redesigners (reportedly led by chief software architect Bill Gates) have been reading the critiques of previous Windows versions by usability experts such as Bruce Tognazzini, Jacob Neilson, Paul Thurrot (who noted numerous eccentricities in Build 2250), and others. They've implemented solutions to many common complaints about the Windows interface. Here are just a few long-time Windows annoyances finally eliminated in current Whistler betas. 

• Shortcut keystroke characters are now (optionally) hidden unless a Control key is held down when the menu is selected.
• A "StickyClick" function makes it possible to drag or highlight without holding the mouse button down. This, thankfully, is also optional.
• Windows unavailable because they are behind a modal dialog are shown in a different colour to show their status.
• Almost every aspect of the user interface that presents you with a long and/or potentially confusing list of options includes the ability to shorten the list. In many cases, such as with the above-mentioned drive windows listings, the items on the left side can be hidden with a simple click on the category title.
• The taskbar now adheres to Fitt's Law, eliminating the three-pixel "dead zone" found in previous releases.
• Microsoft also seems to be listening to charges that its operating systems need better security. Betanews details some of Whistler's Advanced Security Features, which include protection against many email viruses and a remarkably easy to configure personal firewall.

Compatibility

In general, compatibility is similar to that of Windows 2000. Refer to the (still-incomplete) Hardware Compatibility List (HCL) for specifics.

In part 2 of this feature, we continue to explore the new look and capabilities of "Whistler."
See the reviews at Winformant.com, ZDNet and PCMag.com for additional links and further information!

For Further Reading:

• PCBuyersGuide.com: New features of Windows XP, with an image gallery of its revamped graphical interface
• Microsoft: Whistler Developer pages
• Newsforge: a comparison of the Whistler GUI and Linux GUIs Gnome 1.2 and KDE 2.0.
• ZDNet: (Oct. 6) Whistler beta target blows by MS
• WinInformant: Whistler Beta 1 slips two weeks to October 25
• ZDNet: Microsoft has reportedly set a Windows 2001 release date of April 18, 2001
• ComputerWorld: Microsoft divulges plans for Windows 2000 upgrade
• ActiveWin.com: Windows "Whistler"
• WSJ: Whistler to power interactive devices
• Betanews.com: WindowBlinds 2.0 Preview
• WinInformant.com: Whistler to replace Start menu with 'Start Panel' and 'Start Page'
• WinInformant: 'Whistler' Beta 1 will ship with Personal Edition and 64-bit versions
• WinInformant: A detailed look at Whistler beta 2257 and an FAQ
• Betanews: More Details on Whistler 2410

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