You'd have to live on a remote, deserted island to escape the media frenzy that has preceded the release of Microsoft^®'s latest software flagship: Microsoft Windows^® 98. And the newest version of the world's most popular operating system proves it can live up to the hype. Windows lovers get ready: your ship has come in.

Perhaps the most reassuring feature of Windows 98 lies in the fact that it is available as an upgrade to previous versions of Windows operating systems. Current users of Windows 3.x and Windows 95 can experience Windows 98 without the hassle of completely reworking their PC. One simple upgrade is all it takes, making the transition to Windows 98 smooth and worry-free.

The most noticeable difference of Windows 98 over previous Windows versions is the desktop environment. Windows 98 manages to add exciting features without compromising easy navigation by fully-integrating the Internet Explorer browser software into the operating system. This provides the look and feel of the browser's environment by introducing to your desktop such features as "forward," "back" and "refresh" buttons and icons in hyperlink form. The Active Desktop makes your screen come alive with dynamic new features such as real-time sports, news or stock market tickers and internet Channels, direct links to some of the most popular web sites around. The "one-click" feature lets you browse the web or add applications to the startup configuration with a single click from almost anywhere in the operating system. And excellent finishing touches such as scrolling start menus and faster hard disk, memory and internet access give Windows 98 the character and performance that its predecessors lacked.

A less apparent (but certainly no less important) feature of Windows 98 is its flawless hardware support. You can load your PC with the latest hardware devices such as DVD (Digital Video Disc), or utilize hardware already installed but previously unavailable such as USB (Universal Serial Bus); both are easily supported by Windows 98. DVD, the next generation of multimedia storage, holds 15 times more information than its predecessor, the CD-ROM, while providing top-quality video and sound. And with USB technology, you'll immediately be able to change joysticks, video cameras, scanners and many other peripherals without restarting your PC. Only an advanced operating system would be able to handle high-tech hardware so effortlessly.

But what about the games, you ask? Just like most new developments in the computer software industry, Windows 98 appeals to the kid in all of us. Avid gamers of all ages will find Windows 98 more than capable of satisfying their digital gaming hunger. The creation and integration of DirectX Media 5.1 opens the door for game developers to push the limits of 3D graphics and "surround sound" audio. DirectX Media 5.1 manages 2D, 3D, text, audio, video and animation features into an impressive package that can be web-based or run as a separate application. High-level tools used for superior-quality on-line gaming are also included in the DirectX Media 5.1. Brand new games such as Flight Simulator 98 fully realize the capabilities of Windows 98 game support, even providing gamers with the ability to display controls and different views on multiple monitors! Rest assured that as the quality of computer games continues to grow, Windows 98 will be right there to handle their demanding needs.

Windows 98 undoubtedly shows exciting improvements over previously successful versions of Windows, not only in its performance and support, but also in its undeniable ease of use. Advancements in desktop navigation and web integration make Windows 98 a requirement for any PC user, from the casual gamer to the hardcore programmer. Set sail with Windows 98, the unsinkable new operating system now available in MidWest Micro Multimedia and Office PCs.