Why XP is the perfect name for Windows
Print storyAirforce used it for crash and burn planes
Posted in Bootnotes, 5th February 2001 16:29 GMT
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Whistler and Office 10 will be officially sold as Windows XP and Office XP respectively. XP stands for experience in Microsoft's book, but maybe the US Army Airforce's use of the two letters gives a more appropriate explanation.
The letters XP were used by the US Army Airforce (later USAF) to designate experimental pursuit (fighter) aircraft. If the aircraft was to go into production it would first get the YP designation, followed by the P designation when in production.
According to Reg reader Paul Grayson, aircraft with just the XP designation (such as the XP-55) were unconventional in design, prone to crashing, and generally a waste of R&D.
Click here to see the details of some planes too scary to go into production. ®
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