Need Freeper Input on Computer OPerating Systems

[Maceman]

OK. I've held off as long as I could, but now I REALLY need to upgrade from my 1997 Dell Dimension Desktop with Windows 95. I have decided on a desktop over a laptop, but am unsure about which WINDOWS operating system to get.

I have a home-based consulting business to Fortune-1000 type clients, which requires heavy use of the Internet and MS Office apps (Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Outlook, and some basic Access). I'm sure that before I buy the next system after this new one, I'll be heavy into video meetings and such (since I don't plan to upgrade again for at least 3-4 years).

I don't need to have any local networking, as I am a one-person shop.

Question: What are your thoughts about Windows 98 vs. Windows 2000 vs. Windows ME vs. Windows XP?

Also, what is the best thing to use for back-ups? Is it a CD-RW? Zip drive? Or is there something better? (The tape drive on my current system just died, so I don't have an easy way to make back-ups at the moment).

I really need the input, and appreciate your help. Thanks.

[Maceman]

I know there are a lot of Microsoft haters out there, Linux lovers and Mac people. Please, spare me comments about how Windows sucks. Maybe it does or doesn't but in order to be compatible with 100% of my client base, I really need to rely on MS Office apps. So please, try to be constructive, with a minimum of smart-alecky anti-Windows comments.

[Texaggie79]

I'm have not "experienced" XP yet but stay away from ME, the rest are fine.

[bcoffey]

Before making an OS decision, see if you can upgrade your memory. Win95 worked well with 16 MB, at least for me. But if you go to Win98 SE (Second Edition) -- my suggestion -- I'd get at least 64 MB.

Stay away from Win ME and Win XP. Win2000 would be ok, but probably run slowly on 1997 hardware.

[Leaning towards Libertarian]

Go with XP. It'll probably be preloaded on your next system anyway, and my experience with it so far has been nothing but positive.

As for backups, it's hard to beat a CD-RW.

[Fury]

Run VMS...

[egarvue]

I'm writing this reply just a half an hour after I upgraded my HP home pc from Win 98 to XP. So far, the upgrade process has been pretty painless, only a few of my applications need to be re-installed, all of my old settings are there. So I don't have a lot of experience with this OS, but I have two friends and a brother-in-law, all of whom are experienced IT people and not the greatest Microsoft lovers in the world, they swear by XP. So far, I like it, and it seems to be the best.

[Bogey78O]

I would definitely not go with Windows 98. It's very unstable especially when you try and do anything that requires power. It's so bad the issued a SE.

From what I understand as far as power and business applications Windows 2000 is your best bet.

I haven't had much use on it but there's very little difference between Windows 95, 98, and ME other than updating the same old stuff and repackaging it.

As to the storage issue I'd run with CDs over zip. They're more prodigious and easier to access since nearly every comp has a CD drive.

[shockjock]

Linux.

[egarvue]

I'm writing this reply just a half an hour after I upgraded my HP home pc from Win 98 to XP. So far, the upgrade process has been pretty painless, only a few of my applications need to be re-installed, all of my old settings are there. So I don't have a lot of experience with this OS, but I have two friends and a brother-in-law, all of whom are experienced IT people and not the greatest Microsoft lovers in the world, they swear by XP. So far, I like it, and it seems to be the best.

[garyhope]

Memory is SO cheap now, you can get 256MB for about $40 or less. Also be careful what programs that you load that slow your system down.

[Bogey78O]

Unless you have a P$ then you have to pay through the nose for Rambus.

[Bogey78O]

P$=P4

[Arkinsaw]

My next OS is going to be Linux. I've had it finally with all of Microsoft's "strategies" and XP bothers me.

At work I use Windows 2000 and it is stable, better than 95 or 98. I won't even try XP. If your needs are primarily business I would go with Windows 2000.

[Mannaggia l'America]

I use Windows 2000, although I have some other systems with Windows 98 (and Linux). I have XP and have had the beta versions for a while, which I get as part of my MS Developer Network subscription. I have XP on a test system.

My preference is Windows 2000. But if you are buying a new system and they offer XP, I would get it. You never know when you might require it for something in the future. So if they are offering it, you might as well get it now rather than have possibly pay to upgrade to it in the future.

XP is fine if you don't mess with your setup a lot. I have a software business and re-install systems to get clean systems for testing and I don't like the handcuffs of the XP activation. Windows 2000 has been very stable here and that's my personal preference right now.

For backup, I use CD-RW for some things and DAT tape for big systems. DAT tape would be overkill for a home system, unless you have LOTS of data to back up. Another thing to consider would be a DVD-RAM drive. They hold much more than a CD-RW, although the drive and media is more expensive.

[The Duke]

I've found that all flavors of Windows are equally well-suited to run terminal emulators to log into computers running *REAL* operating systems. *G*

[2right]

I've been using XP for about five days now and love it. Read a few magazine articles on why to upgrade. I was in a similar situation as you. Older system, older os. I bit the bullet and bought a new system. If you upgrade memory, update windows, plus office xp at retail, is spending a few more bucks to get all new hardware that unreasonable?

[Cicero]

I have used virtually every MS operating system, and my favorite at present is Windows 2000. It's a lot more stable than Win95/98. I agree that WinME is flaky.

At the moment Dell is offering a choice of WinME or Win2K on new laptops. If you wait a little while, you can get one with WinXP, which I would also recommend, rather than using the upgrade certificate. For greater security, you should choose XP Pro, which has security features similar to Win2K. But if no one else uses your computer (such as your kids), you could probably settle for the Home user XP plain vanilla.

The new Dell Laptops are so cheap for what you get, it doesn't seem worth while messing with upgrades for the old one. But I think you want the option with 256meg RAM (2DIMMS) if you choose 2K or XP. And if you get a DVD drive, you can watch movies on it, if that interests you.

[WarHawk42]

If you are using software that runs in DOS I would stay with Windows 98 for sure.  I think it is the last version of Windows that support DOS programs.  From what I have read on the later versions I would still stay with Win98, but that would be your choice.

At this time Windows 98 is still my choice.

Win 98 should work well with any net software I know of.  Video/audio shouldn't be a problem.  A good cable modem will do wonders for your video/audio needs on the net.

As for backup.  If you are talking less than 700/800 meg backups then I would suggest a rewritable CDROM drive.  They work just like a hard drive in that you format them and can write to them, rewrite to them, reformat them, just like a hard drive.  Very easy to use.  Very easy to find what you want on them.  They have an alphabetical directory structure just like a hard drive.

I have been very happy with my rewritable CDROM drive.

WarHawk42

[xm177e2]

Whatever you do, don't go WinME, it's awful.

XP is great, it's the best Windows system... except it gives Bill Gates a ridiculous amount of control over your PC, forget it.

Win98 is good, I guess 2000 would be better. I would say 2000 is your best choice.