Guys, you may wish to review this info before getting the SP1 :
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Microsoft has delivered the first Service Pack update for Microsoft Windows XP to manufacturers, where it will be put on CDs and sent to PC vendors and premiere Microsoft customers in the next few days.
The update is expected to give end users more control over applications that launch by default on PCs, as well as more-advanced wireless connectivity. Users are expected to be able to download it from Microsoft's Web site by September 9. It will also be available for purchase on a CD for $9.95, says Charmaine Gravning, product manager with Microsoft's Windows division.
The package is especially notable because it will introduce changes to the operating system that bring Microsoft into compliance with the proposed antitrust settlement. For example, users will be able to manually set the default "middleware" applications that open when Windows XP machines boot up.
Microsoft has built two new tools into the Start menu to help it comply with the proposed settlement deal. One is a function that allows users to add and remove their Microsoft middleware applications. The other is a menu designed to allow users to "set program access and defaults" that specify which middleware applications open by default. For example, instead of launching Internet Explorer to view a Web page, the user could set the default to launch the Netscape browser; or the user could launch RealPlayer instead of the Windows Media Player to play back audio or video files.
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Rumor is that Microsoft is going to attempt to shut down the XP pirates who use the XP Professional edition with SP1, this new feature is included. Rumor has it that the way it will work is it will report it's unique IP to MS upon installation, to ensure that the number of installations doesn't exceed the corporate license.
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