The press release says "Microsoft Sets a New Standard for Ease in Wireless Broadband Networking." Based on my first, quick tests of the software giant's new network hardware, as well as a more thorough evaluation by my colleague Josh Taylor, that seems true enough. But isn't a standard supposed to be something everyone can use? Or is ease of use only for those who buy everything Microsoft tells them to buy?

Here's what's going on: Microsoft yesterday announced its entry into the home networking hardware business with a full line of gateways, adapters, and switches, both wired and 802.11b wireless. With each product you get a Microsoft installation CD, the key to the company's ease-of-use claims. I thought Windows XP made networking pretty easy, but this installation disk makes it even easier. Microsoft has come up with an easy-to-follow installation wizard, which in turn sports a network management interface that's even simpler than XP's. MS even gives you a blank floppy disk, so you can copy your settings onto other machines. XP itself supports all of these things, but doesn't make them as accessible as they are with the new install wizard.