New Microsoft System Takes Off

Microsoft Corp. has sold 250,000 copies of its new Windows operating system to U.S. consumers since its release Sept. 14, according to a report by research firm PC Data Inc. That put it on track to sell more then 400,000 units in its first month and more than 1 million units at retail stores before the end of the year. Windows Millennium Edition, or Windows Me, received mixed reviews from industry experts, and analysts expect many consumers to wait for the next version of Windows, code-named Whistler, to come out next year. Microsoft shares fell 75 cents to close at $64.25 on Nasdaq. The stock has slipped 45% this year.