There is, however, more to the story than meets the eye. Microsoft has added one new feature that has a potentially enormous consumer impact: an activation process. After purchasing Windows XP, consumers will have thirty days to activate the program. Microsoft has designed a three-click activation that can be accomplished over the Internet or telephone activation for those who don't want to use the Internet. There is no need to share any personal data. The activation will marry each copy of the new Windows XP to the specific computer that it is installed on. This is intended to reduce the casual copying of software that Microsoft sees as one of their most costly forms of piracy. The software is programmed to recognize the configurations on one specific computer. Use is authorized for only that machine.

Activation is expected to be a one-time activity for mst users. Reactivation will only be necessary if the computer's components are drastically changed or in the unlikely evoent that you want to move (not copy) Windows XP to another machine. Microsoft promises that the activation system will work seamlesslyand even reactivation will be easy. Yet, the entire activation process is so new and different that it is already causing controversy. The ease-of-use and impact of the activation scheme will be fully realized when Windows XP is released October 25th.

I do predict some bumps in the XP road. For instance, if you make major changes or additions to your computer hardware or if your computer malfunctions and you have to reinstall the software, you may have to reactivate the product. In most cases, this will require a call to Microsoft to explain the situation. For the average user, this will mean, at most, only an occasional inconvenience. For computer consultants, like me, who constantly change hardware configurations and reinstall software and operating systems on a regular basis, activation is sure to be a real pain.

According to the license agreement that comes with Windows, every computer needs to have its own copy of Windows. However, many computer users, whether aware of the rules or not, have copied previous versions of Windows to more than one computer. The activation process will force every computer to have a purchased copy of Windows.

So, while activation gives something to Microsoft (more revenue from more copies), it gives absolutely nothing to the consumer. In a recent article about Windows XP, I shared my opinion that it would be nice if Microsoft would offer consumers a discount on additional copies of their software. Business owners have always been able to purchase package-priced software licenses for five or more users. In fact, business licensees will not have to go through this activation process. More and more people now own multiple computers. This is the group, myself included, whom this activation process will directly affect.

Guess what? Microsoft listened. I received an e-mail from one of Microsoft's public relations people that said, '"I noted that you requested that Microsoft make additional licenses available to users at a discount. I wanted to let you know that Microsoft is doing just that." It seems that computer users will be able to purchase additional  "family licenses" for the Home Edition of Windows XP at a 10 - 12% discount. It is not as much as the 50% discount that I had suggested, but it is nice to know that Microsoft really does listen to reviewers and consumers.

The new version of Windows will cost consumers $99 if they are upgrading from Windows 98 and other later versions. The full version will cost $199. Those of you needing multiple copies of the program for home use can now enjoy a small, but welcome,discount on multiple copies. More information about Microsoft's new activation can be found at: http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/basics/xp_activation.asp