I didn't realize that my new Casio 3000EX camera’s USB connection wasn

I didn't realize that my new Casio 3000EX camera’s USB connection wasn't compatible with Windows ME. Checking on the web for Windows releases (for) digital cameras, I found a list of ME compatible cameras but they were all old models or no longer available. Is Microsoft moving too rapidly for the peripherals to catch up?
Dolores Scott

This question was answered on May 21, 2001. Much of the information contained herein may have changed since posting.

The compatibility issue with your Casio camera and Windows ME is not because of USB but rather the lack of a “driver” from Casio for Windows ME (Drivers are small software programs that let the operating system interact with hardware components.) USB is fully supported in Windows 98, 98SE, ME and 2000 A special USB version of Windows 95 was released just before 98 was launched, but Microsoft and most manufacturer will not support USB devices in Windows 95.

One of the promises of Windows ME was to make working with digital imaging easier ME ships with something called WIA (Windows Image Acquisition) that provides direct support for scanners, digital cameras, digital video camcorders and webcams without the need to install a manufacturer-supplied driver Windows ME directly supports over 60 digital cameras from manufacturers such as Agfa, Canon, Casio, Epson, Fuji, HP, Kodak, Konica, Minolta, Nikon, Olympus, Sanyo and UMAX You can get a full explanation of WIA and a link to a list of digital cameras that are directly supported in Windows ME at:

<a href="http://www.microsoft.com/hwdev/wia" target="_blank">www.microsoft.com/hwdev/wia</a>.

Anyone looking to purchase any type of hardware or software to add to a Windows ME system must do their homework before making the purchase Windows ME was a radical departure from Windows 98 from a technical standpoint, which means that manufacturers of hardware and software that want their products to work are required to create new drivers for Windows ME If a product does not specifically list Windows ME as one of the supported operating systems, it will most likely not work or the manufacturer may not support you when you have a problem.

Most manufacturers will only create new drivers for current or new products as they come out instead of retrofitting all of their previously released products Any updated information is generally posted at the companies website, generally in the “support” sections.

Luckily, the Internet also provides you with access to all of the information that you need prior to making a purchase Here is a list of sites that provide reviews and information specifically for digital cameras:

C/NET - <a href="http://computers.cnet.com" target="_blank">computers.cnet.com</a>

ZDNET - <a href="http://zdnet.com/reviews" target="_blank">zdnet.com/reviews</a>

MegaPixel.net - <a href="http://megapixel.net" target="_blank">megapixel.net</a>

Digital Photography Review - <a href="http://dpreview.com" target="_blank">dpreview.com</a>

Imaging Resource - <a href="http://imaging-resource.com" target="_blank">imaging-resource.com</a>

Epinions – users opinions & reviews – <a href="http://epinions.com/elec" target="_blank">epinions.com/elec</a>

Once you have found the camera(s) that you are most interested in, go to the manufacturers website and check to see if the product in question is supported in Windows ME You can also search for “WIA” at the manufacturers website to see if they have listed products that are supported by Windows Image Acquisition

The phrase “buyer beware” has never been more appropriate for computer users, especially those that have the latest operating systems Don’t let the excitement of the moment cause you to make an uneducated purchase An hour on-line before the purchase can save you 10 hours of grief after the purchase!