lot's of stuff that's built in:
Easier to use wireless networking
Built-in zipping, unzipping, and unraring
Built-in CD burning, although i personally don't like it
Built-in Firewall for any connection, including firewire, wireless, LAN, and dial-up
Remote Assistance so you can help your mom 3 states away while staying in the comfort of your own leather chair. This is where the most WinXP exploits come from though
If you don't like the gui, then change the style. If you still don't like it, you can go back to the plain, boring, Win2k look. Such a condescending tone you have Eryk...

Keep in mind that XP is made for those who don't have your "expertise"...