Eastman Kodak Co. Monday hailed Microsoft Corp.'s recent decision to modify its upcoming Windows XP operating system to give third-party digital photography software vendors

Eastman Kodak Co. Monday hailed Microsoft Corp.'s recent decision to modify its upcoming Windows XP operating system to give third-party digital photography software vendors and even footing to compete with the Scanner and Camera Wizard integrated with the operating system. Kodak said Monday that Microsoft had notified it of the changes, which include: Changing the presentation of choices that appear when a camera is connected to the computer; instead of the drop down menu initially planned, XP will now display a list giving users a view of a number of third-party applications Clearly identifying the Scanner and Camera Wizard within the dialog box as a Microsoft digital photography function. Kodak said it has worked with Microsoft, with which it remains a partner, to ensure that digital camera manufacturers have the choice to either utilize the standard Windows implementation of the Picture Transfer Protocol (PTP), or provide drivers specific to their cameras -- provided those drivers meet Microsoft's quality criteria for Windows. Kodak said it is in the process of submitting its PTP driver for testing in the Windows Hardware Quality Labs.