Windows 95 is Ready. Are You?

Microsoft Windows 95 is one of the most widely tested operating systems in the history of the software industry. As one of the beta testers, I tested Windows 95 in many environments, including here at UIC. I tested it on the ADN-ii, both on campus and through the ADN-ii dialup lines. I tested it for printer sharing, DOS program support, and for support of existing Windows programs. Here is some information that will help you decide whether to upgrade to Windows 95 or not.

• Preemptive multitasking and multithreading for 32-bit programs.
• Faster file access for hard disks, floppy disks, and CDs; also faster printing.
• Long filename support for better file management.
• The new Windows Explorer provides a graphical view of everything on your computer.
• Detects and automatically configures "Plug and Play" hardware devices, so when you add this type of device, you don't have to fiddle with esoteric things like IRQs anymore. It also detects conflicts in IRQs, addresses, and so on, and helps you to resolve them. It allows you to modify hardware settings without actually having to open up your computer's case.
• A registry editor lets you modify the hardware and software setup of your computer.
• Right mouse button support.
• A new GUI (Graphical User Interface), with START, a single-click program launcher that's always available, and a taskbar that shows all open windows and allows you to switch between them with a single click.
• Built-in networking with support for simultaneous Internet (TCP/IP), Novell (IPX/SPX), and Microsoft LAN Manager and IBM LAN Server (NetBEUI) connections both on the ADN-ii and for modem connections. (We introduced TCP/IP and IPX in The ADN Connection in January/February 1995; NetBEUI stands for NetBIOS Extended User Interface. wNetBEUI, like TCP/IP and IPX, is a transport protocol; it's used by all of Microsoft's network systems and by IBM's LAN Server.)

• A personal computer with a 386DX or higher processor running MS-DOS 3.31 or later and Microsoft Windows 3.0 or later; a 486 or better processor is recommended.
• 4 MB memory, 8 MB recommended.
• 35 to 40 MB available hard disk space, 40 to 60 recommended.
• VGA or higher-resolution graphics.

Reports listing the hardware and software that have been tested for compatibility with Win95 are available on the World Wide Web, at the URL http://www.microsoft.com/windows/thirdparty.htm Both reports are self-extracting Zip files. To read one, download the Zip file to a PC running MS Windows, run it, then open the resulting .hlp file with Windows Help.

This is easier than it sounds. For example, here's how to get a software compatibility report. The "Software Compatibility List" link points to an EXE file, win95app.exe. Select it in your Web browser. Your browser will ask you if you want to download the file and where you want to put it. Keep the same name and put it in any convenient directory. Then open the Windows File Manager to that directory. In the File Manager, double-click on the name win95app.exei; that will run the program and extract the win95app.hlp file. Select "Refresh" from the "Window" menu on the File Manager's menu bar (or just press F5). That will refresh the list of files in the directory, and win95app.hlp will be listed. Double-click on win95app.hlp to open Windows Help and display the "Windows 95 Software Compatibility Report".

It certainly pays to look in the compatibility reports, but don't worry too much if you have something that's not listed -- this just means it hasn't been tested yet. It probably will work. And what if it doesn't? Windows 95 is a major operating system -- in the long run, vendors are likely to do whatever they can to ensure that their products will work with it. You should be wary, however, if you have software or hardware that hasn't been tested yet and is old or obsolete. It's still not likely that you'll have a problem, but if you do, you can't count on anyone being anxious to fix it for you.

You can use this built-in networking support to connect to a Windows NT Workstation, Advanced Server, Windows for Workgroups, LAN Manager, Novell NetWare, and others. Win95 does not have AppleTalk support built-in, but third party software for that is available.

If your existing Windows is configured for Novell NetWare, Windows 95 will detect it and install the necessary files. If you're on a NetWare 4.1 network, select "Novell Client for NetWare 4.1x" during installation to use Novell's client until the Windows 95 Novell 4.1x client is ready.

That's not all. Since Windows 95 has built-in TCP/IP with PPP (Point-to-Point Protocol), you don't need SLIP (Serial Line Internet Protocol) to connect to the ADN-ii or the Internet via a modem. PPP is better than SLIP and it's easier to configure, too. It allows you to use multiple protocols (TCP/IP and IPX/SPX, for example) simultaneously.

You will still need DOS-based TCP/IP software to run DOS-based Internet programs -- like Grateful Med -- under Windows 95. The current Windows Network Services kit includes TCP Inc's PC/TCP software for this purpose, but it's 16-bit. FTP Inc has 32-bit DOS TCP/IP software that works with Windows 95, called OnNet. We're working on changing our site license to include that product.

Perhaps you've heard about the new Microsoft Connect Network and were anxious to join? Forget it, for the time being. Initial subscriptions were limited to 500,000, and all 500,000 slots were taken before Windows 95 was released. And, while Microsoft has hired Digital Equipment Corporation to help them support Windows 95, if the sales live up to expectations, there isn't any way the support lines can handle all the questions they'll get.

Another good place to look is in just about any computer magazine. (You'll probably get a slightly less biased viewpoint there, but don't count on it. The magazines know who pays their bills!) You might like to explore the online versions of Ziff-Davis Publications' magazines (including PC Magazine, PCWeek, MacWeek, and Computer Shopper) at http://www.ziffdavis.com/. (See what we mean about Windows 95 being the hot topic?)

But other than that, we're not doing much about Windows 95 yet. Don't get us wrong -- Windows 95 is a major step up from previous Windows operating systems, even up there with sliced bread! And we are looking forward to being able to enthusiastically endorse it. But not quite yet. Every brand-new program, even one that's been as thoroughly tested as Windows 95, comes with new bugs. The ADN, along with many businesses, is going to wait a while until the dust settles. Of course if you decide to go with Windows 95 now, we'll try as best we can to help you with any problems you might have. And try your REACH representative; there's been a number of discussions on Windows 95 on the REACH list lately.

Comments are appreciated; send them
to Danish Waheed, Danish@uic.edu