If you want to get more available screen space for windows in Windows XP, one easy way to do this is to reduce the amount of space taken up by the menu and title bars of windows. This is easily done in XP.

Just right-click on the desktop and select "Properties", when the Display Properties panel opens, select the "Appearance" tab and then click the "Advanced" button near the bottom of the panel.

In the Advanced Appearance panel, select "Active Title Bar" from the "Item" selectbox. Once selected, use the controls to the right of the selectbox to reduce the size of the title bar in the windows. As you make changes, the sample windows shown will change to show you the difference. You will be limited in how small you can go by the selected font. If you can no longer make the title bar smaller, try reducing the font size. This will then allow you to reduce the title bar more.

Once this title bar is adjusted to your liking, choose "Selected Items" from the "Item" selectbox. Despite the bad name, this corresponds to the menu items shown in the window. Repeat the process.

Once done click "OK" to close this panel. Then click "Apply" on the Display Properties panel and your changes will take effect.