Compatibility with one specific product is one thing. But not supporting a password at anything but 13 characters, when the spec allows for any length up to 64 bytes, well, that's something else entirely. That's clearly a Microsoft philosophy.

Windows is a giant pile of hurt in the design department. Window 95 took a huge leap over what was there previously and put MS in front of Mac OS for usability. They hung on to this advantage for between 5 and 7 years (it's arguable). But since then Windows has been good for a single thing. Gaming. Period.

If my friend can't get her machine onto her network I'll just suggest she go grab a cheap Dell Mini 9 and run Mac OS on it. The machine will be as crappy as whatever it is she's trying to play with now, but at least it will have a half-decent OS on it.