The Sacramento Bee, Calif., Plugged In Column.

By Clint Swett, The Sacramento Bee, Calif. Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News

Nov. 21--Windows XP, Microsoft's latest consumer-oriented operating system, has a number of helpful features that may not be getting full use.

According to Microsoft, PCs are primarily used for e-mail, Web browsing and word processing. And even though devices like digital cameras are selling at a brisk clip, many consumers don't know how to use them with their PCs.

To address that issue, Microsoft has set up a Web site featuring tutorials and other how-to hints for using XP to help with digital photography, video, music, instant messaging and setting up in-home …