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Meeting Report: February 2003
On 15 February 2003, a select group of JAT members and interested guests were treated to an expert demonstraton of the latest operating system from Microsoft—Windows XP.
Jerry started by giving the audience a general overview of Windows XP, showing its cleaner, simpler interface that contrasts favorably with earlier Windows incarnations. Jerry emphasized XP's enhanced stability (i.e. the reduced likelihood of crashes), but cautioned that the minimum hardware requirements-memory and processor speed-may put XP out of reach for PC users who are still using older hardware that has not been upgraded.
XP's enhanced multilingual capability was next on view, as Jerry demonstrated the ease with which English, Japanese, Korean and Thai script could be input into a single document. This was followed by a brief illustration of how to set up the system in advance to allow multilingual input and display.
The topic of security was covered next, as Jerry showed the audience how to configure XP for multiple users, either on a single PC or over a network. Passwords can be used to restrict access to authorized users only. Individual users' data can be protected, with the degree of access granted to other users varied to suit individual needs; for example one user can allow another to read certain documents, or modify them, or deny any access at all.
The final topic involved protection against external threats such as viruses and worms-a notorious Microsoft Achilles heal. Jerry recommended the installation of robust, third-party virus protection software, and constant monitoring of vendor websites for updates. Microsoft's site also frequently offers security-enhancing downloads, and these should also be snapped up and applied as quickly as possible.
A lively-but necessarily brief question-and-answer session followed. In response to one question, Jerry confirmed that Microsoft's licensing policy for XP allows each copy to be installed on a single PC only. Since XP must be activated by registration via the Internet, this restriction can not be circumvented.
On a cheerier note, however, most application software that ran under XP's immediate predecessors (Windows NT, 2000, and ME) would still run under XP-thus, by-and-large, application upgrades are unnecessary. Here is the actual presentation outline for presenter Gerard Suppan's "Windows XP":
1. General Overview of Windows XP.
Main bells and whistles in Windows XP. What are advantages of this OS
versus previous OSes?
2. Regional Settings for bilingual and multilingual environments in
Windows XP
What type of regional (multi-lingual) settings are available? How can
these be used to process bilingual / multi-lingual documents
3. Security features (local and network)
(multi-user accounts set-ups, passwords, logins, shares and
permissions)
4. Virus Protection
In the day and age of increased virus and worm attacks, what local,
network, and internet on-line options are available?
Each of the above topics was covered in detail during the meeting.
Biographical Information on Presenter Gerard Suppan
Jerry Suppan is an American born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. Prior to Japan, he lived in Honolulu, Hawaii for about 10 years. There, he worked in the airline industry promoting passenger reservation sales, as well as PR liaison with travel agencies. Concurrent with his airline employment, he also graduated from the University of Hawaii, majoring in Japanese language studies.
Deregulation of the airline industry forced Jerry to consider career options, and as a result Jerry came to Japan in April 1982 seeking new opportunity.
Longevity in Japan and the Pacific area has provided him with a foundation of Japanese linguistic skills, and a diverse international business background, to include sales, IT network administration and management, training services, and recently talent productions.
Presently, he works independently in bilingual business and IT consulting, and also does part-time talent productions.