dacs.doc electric

NO. END OF ARTICLE. Oh. You want more information? OK. You probably want to know why, if you don't need Win98SE, Microsoft released it (other than to pay its legal bills). It's not a new Operating System (OS). Rather, think of it as an overgrown service pack. It does not contain any new features, but does have bug fixes and enhanced networking support for SOHO (Small Office/Home Office) or home users.

If you're already running Win98, you can download Win98SE's "service pack" from http://www.microsoft.com/windows98/highlights/ win98update.asp that contains most of the new release. The downloadable version will consist of two parts: Microsoft Internet Explorer 5 and revised core components of the OS, which is just Windows 98 Service Pack 1. The only new feature unavailable for download is Internet Connection Sharing (ICS), which allows networked Windows 98 systems to share a single Internet connection (see my article in the December 1999 dacs.doc).

To get ICS, you can either buy the complete Win98SE CD or purchase an update for your current Windows 98 installation. To use ICS, you would install it onto a host computer with an existing Internet connection. Navigate to the Add/Remove Programs applet in Control Panel and choose the Windows Setup tab. Now Select Internet Connection Sharing. A dialog box will ask which adapter it should use to connect to the Internet. Configure the host and have the client computer connect to the Internet through the host computer.

When the client passes through the host computer, ICS will replace the client's IP address with the host's IP address, establishing a connection to the Internet through the host. Although this is not new technology, it is nice to have it included in the OS for home Internet connections or small offices.

There are a couple of other networking adjustments in Win98SE. Virtual Private Networking (VPN) is now more secure. In addition, an option to use 128-bit encryption on systems that have it installed is now available. Additional networking enhancements include a Wake-on-LAN feature (if supported by the computer's BIOS), which brings networked computers out of suspended mode in response to network activity. The second edition includes Enhanced Asynchronous Transfer Protocol (ATM) to allow the Internet Protocol (IP) to slide across ATM connections.

Another interesting addition is support for Device Bay, which is a hardware specification for removable disks and other storage devices. It will be interesting to see if this feature also makes its way into Windows 2000. Finally, Win98SE adds support for a broader variety of WebTV tuner cards.

Essentially, Windows 98 Second Edition is Service Pack 1 with a few additional items. If all you need are the bug fixes, just download Service Pack 1 and save your money. Or you can give your money to Bill. He has lots of attorney Christmas gifts on his MasterCard to pay off.