>>>>http://www.computerworld.com/cwi/story/0,1199,NAV47-74_STO67301,00.html
>>>
>>>Fast user switching is a bag-on-the-side, it does not come close to what Linux has: multiple virtual consoles, logged-on users limited only by hardware (no licensing), multiple X sessions, etc. etc.
>>>
>>>I don't think XP is ever going to "catch up" to Linux because they don't want to and don't need to. People are not using their XP boxes they way we want to use our Linux boxes. So fast-user-switching gives a little treat to those who do not know what the box is capable of.
>>
>>What treat is that? Can't log into it from another box and run on it while the user is setting at the workstation pounding on the keyboard ... What can you do with it? It reminds me of VB's 'Objects'.
>
>The 'treat' as I understand it is meant to allow Mom to sit and down and quickly switch over to her profile to check email, while Junior's desktop is not disrupted. Dad then comes and does the same thing. Hence my characterization as "a treat to those who do not know what the box is capable of." Where the box is the hardware, not the OS.

"Kevin also found out that you can't use fast user switching and the off-line folders feature at the same time. Off-line folders let you disconnect from your company network and continue to work on documents that would normally be stored on network drives. You can synchronize any changes you make the next time you reconnect. If you use this feature from home, then your daughter can't play a game on your computer unless you close all your applications and log out first."

So, it seems, if Mommy was using the off-line folders feature she can't let Junior switch until she closes and logs out. Otherwise, she could do a fast switch from Junior's game, check her email (as long as her domain name wasn't required - no DSL? ) and then switch back. In fairness, that's all that a mom on a Linux box would do too, except that regardless of what Junior's status is, she can switch, do what ever she wants, and then switch back for Junior. She could stay online, linked, synchronized, etc., and create no problems for either her or junior. In fact, she could start some time-consuming process and leave it running and just Alt-Fx back to Junior's account, which would have his game right where he left off.
JLK