Great review on a great new update (in beta right now). Ars Technica has a solid review of Windows XP SP2 Beta.

Most notable improvements are a completely revamped firewall which is on by default, improved wireless support, MUCH better Windows Update, popup blocker in IE and preview window locked down in Outlook Express as well as a revamp of the RPC system which will stop viruses like Blaster in their tracks.

Some much needed and overdue updates, but very good updates nonetheless. It’s a heft 222MB update, but once it’s in stable version I’ll definitely be grabbing it.