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.

[MozartLover]

They seem to be speaking your language here....Greek, or whatever.:) All I know is that if I don't understand a word of it, it's gotta be right up your alley.:)

[Maurice Tift]

I've had better experiences with Win98 SE and Win NT Server v4. Win95 OSR2 is better when you have limited memory and hard drive space. I've had a lot of people tell me that they had more problems with WinME. I use Red Hat Linux v7 to create a workstation that looks like it's from outer space.

I've noticed that most people don't have a lot of crucial data, so I think it's best to back up the most important data using a compression program like the command line version of PKZip (since you can write batch files to automatically update your zip file with the most recent data). WinRAR is another very good compression program. My crucial database and spreadsheet data will fit compressed on just one floppy disk.

Using Norton Ghost is a very good way to create a compressed image copy of either your entire hard drive or just one partition. If you can keep your partition with your OS on it small enough, you can create a compressed image file that will fit on one CD.

Partition Magic is another good program to have.

[EaglesUpForever]

Windows 2000, by far. I'm a programmer, I play with all the OS': Solaris, Linux, Windows ME, 2000, XP. I would say 2000 is by far the most stable Windows OS. For typical business use, Today, Windows 2000 can't be beat. Linux is awesome for particular functions (i.e. as a web server) but most of us in business have to deal with Word/Powerpoint/etc. and there is not yet a way around Windows. Sure would be nice, Microsoft charges an arm and a leg for the OS AND their Office software.

[for-q-clinton]

XP all the way. I've been using ALL MS operating systems for several years. XP is leaps and bounds better than any of them. If you don't get XP you'll be sorry.

[PatriotGames]

Re: OS WinME is flaky. Win2K has many security holes if you venture on to the internet a lot......other than that Win2K is the most stable of all MS operating systems. If you go on the internet a lot with Win2K make sure you run anti-virus software, a firewall and if feasible, a router which has a built-in firewall. Otherwise, go with Win98SE. Very stable OS, contrary to the opinions you might hear elsewhere. Re: Backup Hard Drive to Hard Drive of like or larger size using a program like Norton Ghost2002 or Iomega QuikSync3.

[Paradox]

I upgraded my modest machine (1 gig Athlon w/256 meg ram) from Windows 98, to Windows 2000, and now for the last several weeks, to Windows XP (Professional). Windows 2000 was very stable, and so far, Windows XP is at least as stable. I like Windows XP alot, I feel it is the best all around implementation of Windows ever. I am not a huge fan of the new look of the interface, but you can change that back to the Windows 2000 style.

I run a 3 computer home network, and so far, it is rock stable.

[JRandomFreeper]

Yes, but the poster asked that nobody mention linux. That leaves me out. GRIN!

/john (working on a Word document on a headless linux box with a Sparc5 as an X-terminal)

[for-q-clinton]

For people commenting on 2000 being the best--they are right until 25 Oct and XP is officially released. I bet any amount that they just haven't eXPerienced XP yet, so they say 2000 is the best.

[Sueann]

I have ME, but I'm not very crazy about it. Fortunately, my son puts computers together and so the ME is on loan. However, is is getting a more powerful computer ready for me, and he says XP is GREAT!! He's already using it and he loves it. I went to a preview for Office XP and I must say I was impressed. I have been writing to Microsoft for years because I loathed WORD and I would get so frustrated when I could do things in WordPerfect DOS version which I could not do in WORD. Well, to my surprise, some of the things I have complained about are now showing up in WORD!

You should check out XP before you decide.

Actually, I loved Win98. However, my son says XP is much more stable and has built in features none of the others have, like video conferencing and scanner software.

[ken21]

win98 is stable.

winme is unstable.

win2000 is stable and preferred.

winxp won't be out for 9 days. reportedly it'll be stable because it's based on winnt--win2000, but probably it will have bugs.

[monkeyshine]

I am glad you asked these questions because I am curious myself. I am also concerned about backwards compatability with older machines (so should you) i.e. if I buy a new one and save some files will older machines running win 95 be able to use them?

As for backup, I have a Zip drive and a CDR at home & work on many machines, and our office network has something similar to a zip (I forgot the name of it, but it's smaller than a ZIP but can hold more info) for backup of data. I am using CDR almost exclusively now, because the CD's are very inexpensive (I got 50 8x CDR for $19.99 this weekend).

[AmberWaves]

Linux - for stability - and there are MS Office compatible applications - Checkout Redhat 7.2 - (formal release next week) - We converted our shop from Windows to Linux 6 years ago - will never go back !

[RightOnline]

Trust me. BeLIEVE me. Windows 2000 Professional. Period. End of story. I'll email you my address to send the fine bottle of bourbon to express your thanks..........

[filbert]

VMS ran on Digital's VAXen (my all time favorite plural computer name). MVS was IBM's big iron OS (MVS begat OS/390 which begat Z/OS, into which IBM is frantically integrating...wait for it...Linux!)

[Semper911]

Sorry, dude, I have to do it...

If you take out the "e" out of your name, you'd be a MacMan!

But seriously, I hear good things about XP if you have to have a peecee. And you can't beat CD-R for backup and storage.

Happy shopping.

[kylaka]

I've used Windows 2, Windows 3, Windows 3.11, Windows 95, NT 3.5 and 4.0 and Windows ME. ME is the worst by far. I have a server running NT 3.5 since 1996, and it has never been shut down since (except for 2 power outages). The nice part about NT on the server is that it has mirrored hard drives. No more backups.

I bought a desktop in June of this year that came with ME. I've had to reload the software 5 times since. It is so bad that I put all my additional applications on the second hard drive so I don't have to go digging for diskettes when I have to reload. I'm going to bump it up to XP very soon. The reviews seem to be good.

[StayoutdaBushesWay]

I am leaning toward XP myself, have read good write-ups about it. I currently run Win 3.0 ...ack just kidding :) I am running Win 98. I used Win 2000 at work and it seemed pretty stable. My newest laptop came preloaded with ME and let me tell you...It SUCKS! It does some of the strangest things.

[GummyIII]

XP allows Microsoft to track your every move and to up their links on any webpage. Be careful of it. I prefer ME, myself, but that's a personal preference.