I have spent the past few months testing Microsoft's next operating system, Windows XP (www.windowsxp.com) for PCs. Being part of the beta testing program can have its ups and downs.

Early versions of XP were hideously buggy on my system, although this wasn't such a problem as I had configured a dual boot and could go back to Windows 2000 at any time. Foolish is the person who surrenders their entire system to such an early release of software.

However, as the later versions of XP have come out, I have had much more success with it and found it to be considerably more stable.

In fact, things have become so stable that, with the recent release of Release Candidate 2 (obtained by various means), I have decided to make it my operating system of choice. And I love it.

Some observers are labelling XP as "expert friendly", meaning that folk who are au fait with computers will find its new features great but new users will struggle. This could be a major sticking point for Microsoft who would be best advised to keep things as simple as possible.

While it's true that XP's new interface and way of working will undoubtedly prove a struggle for some people who don't spend their lives on a computer, there is no denying that its new features are powerful and very far reaching.

XP is due for release on October 25. Lots of companies are challenging Microsoft in court about the inclusion of certain features in XP and it's not hard to see why.

XP has a number of additions that make it great, but many tread on the toes of existing software. Try these features for size:

* Write audio CDs from MP3s

* Burn CDs instantly

* Built-in zip recognition (no more Winzip etc.)

* Built-in Movie Maker. As seen in Windows ME this is basic but perfectly usable.

* Play DVDs in Windows Media Player

* Digital images are displayed as thumbnails and transfer of images from a digital camera or video camera are both supported. Instantly refines digital images, sends them to email, CD, printer etc.

On top of all this, there are a number of features that make XP a dream to work with. I love the simple fact that downloads start before you decide what you want to do with them and MP3s can be picked and played from a CD and the CD can then be ejected!

Internet Explorer 6 is what you would expect it to be -- a welcome advance on the excellent IE5.5.

Honestly, if you're using Netscape of any flavour, please give IE a shout. I've yet to find anyone who claims Netscape is better (unless they are on a purely anti-Microsoft trip).

I have serious reservations about the number of people who will upgrade to XP. Of course, Microsoft are banking on the OS taking hold via pre-installation on new PCs which will almost certainly happen, like it or not.