Article - Windows 98 Looks Promising

Host your site on our high performance virtual domain and non-domain accounts.

Let Netpanel design your web site the way you want it.

Submit your web site to 15 major search engines quickly and easily at no charge.

Download some of our free 32-bit software programs for Windows.

Find every news story, article, and special feature ever published on Netpanel.

Take a moment to fill out our quick survey, and earn a free utility in the process.

Windows 98 looks promising
Published on 8/16/97

The next update to Windows 95, formerly code-named Memphis, and later rumored to be Windows 97, is now officially titled Windows 98. The new operating system promises to speed up performance, offer tighter integration between technologies, and a lot more.

One of the key features of Windows 98 that many computer users look forward to is its support for the FAT32 file system. FAT32 is an improved version of the file system existing on most Windows 95-based machines today. This means that you'll be able to format disks over two gigabytes as a single drive, rather than multiple partitions. Perhaps the biggest benefit of FAT32 is its reduced cluster size, which will result in less wasted space on the drive. Windows 98 will ship with a utility to update your current file system to the new FAT32 system.

Many useful utilities and applets will be included with Windows 98. Some of these are: a new Dr. Watson utility, for intercepting software errors and helping to prevent them; the Windows System Update utility, which, via the web, upgrades your operating system with new drivers and updates; the System File Checker, which provides a way to diagnose and repair corrupted or modified system files; and various other troubleshooting tools to help your machine run at its best. An enhanced Disk Defragmenter will also ship with Windows 98, as well as an improved Dial-Up Networking. The new Disk Defragmenter will be able to optimize your drive based on how often you use certain applications.

Support for many of today's newer hardware technologies will also be part of Windows 98. The new operating system will be able to handle the OnNow technology, which gives your system instant-on access, as well as Universal Serial Bus (USB) and DVD (see our article, The Arrival of DVD). Additionally, Windows 98 will offer better support for MMX (see Intel's MMX). The operating system will also handle the IEEE 1394 Bus standard, which allows your PC to control compliant VCRs, TVs, stereos, and other consumer electronics.

There are many more benefits to Windows 98. For example, it will add the World Wide Web's ease of use to your machine, giving you such capabilities as single-click application launching and built-in back/forward buttons. Windows 98 will also integrate seamlessly with Internet Explorer 4.0, Microsoft's upcoming web browser.

Straight from the source, here is what Microsoft has to say about Windows 98: "The Microsoft® Windows® 98 operating system makes computing easier, more reliable, faster, and is fully integrated with the Internet. Building on Windows 95 innovation as the easiest path to a 32-bit desktop, Windows 98 defines cutting-edge capabilities--such as enabling powerful new hardware technologies and entertainment platforms--while at the same time maintaining the best support for older Windows-based applications and technologies. For corporations, Windows 98 provides new manageability features that help reduce total cost of ownership (TCO). Windows 98 will also be the fastest platform for running the new Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0."

Of course, we can't possibly cover all aspects of the new Windows 98 operating system. For more detailed information, including instructions for obtaining the first Windows 98 beta, visit http://www.microsoft.com/windows95/info/memover.htm .