Posted on 10/27/2001 11:16:24 AM PDT by Democrats are liars
Well, I just finished installing Windows XP on my computer. It did not go nice and smooth. I ended up reformatting my hard drive and starting from scratch. I know Windows XP sure does not like AOL 6.0. I am in the process of downloading AOL 7.0. I am still installing all my old software. Yes Windows XP locked up on me many times today and last night. Well, I guess I just would like to know how every one else is doing with Windows XP.
We have "experience" to over come to understand and appreciate the new way of working. After the first 3 days...I can never imagine going back to the old interface.
Another cool think is that the new interface is skinable. Get windowblinds and you can make it look however you like.
Why?
I'm tired of Micro$oft; I'm tired of the bugs, security holes, CONSTANT patches; I'm tired of Micro$oft's heavy handed, predatory, monoplistic business tactics; I'm tired of beta testing Micro$oft Software Bloatware and paying THEM for the privledge; I'm tired of Micro$oft DICTATING to me what software I should use or how I use it, and what it connects to.
I don't like Micro$oft's activation scheme (or is that scam). I change my system around enough (upgrading processors, memory, drives etc.) that I don't want to have to re-activate the OS because Micro$oft has deemed my system changed enough that it might be another system. And I certainally don't like the idea of Micro$oft reading and writing things from and to my system without my knowledge or consent. And while I may not own their software, I KNOW I own the hardware and the data, MY data, contained within it.
I just finished installing Mandrake LINUX 8.1 on a system of mine. The install went flawlessly, and this was a home built system. It has the ability to access servers from UNIX (NFS) Microsoft (9x/NT or SMABA based UNIX boxes), Novell and even MAC. It comes with a photo editor close to Photoshop, an office system as capable as M$ Orafice, games of several types, and development tools for C/C++, to Java, PERL, CGI & HTML. Apache to run a web server, and VNC for remote control of other systems to name just a few.
Total cost? Download time from a web site and three blank, recordable CD-ROM's. Or in other words; basically FREE!
Yep, Windoze 2000 will be the last M$ OS I own (oops, I forgot, we don't own the software we pay for, Micro$oft does) use on any system, and I'm setting things up to drop it altogether at home. Now if I could just get my employer to drop it, we could save MILLION$ in licensing fee's and constant hardware upgrades.
Should I purchase a new computer in the near future I will request not to have XP installed. If it is, immediately upon receipt I will reformat with Windows ME. Just my opinion."
Wow, someone who likes Widows ME. I did not think anyone liked ME (lol).
Well you tried the BETA -Beta versions always have a lot of bugs don't they? Maybe this final version is a lot better than the previous beta versions?
You won't get an argument from me about ME. I abandoned the Win 95->98->ME product line years ago in favor of NT->2000->XP.
95/98/ME had pathetic memory management leading to several crashes every day. Essentially, you get what you pay for.
Yeah, time for Microsoft, right?
Microsoft only got to the position they are in right now because they practically gave their OS away to start with. Now that they have virtually eliminated the competition they want some copy right protection to rake in as much profits as they can for as long as they can.
However, what they fail to realize is that they are now in a position for real competition to emerge using the same tactics that let them achieve their near monopoly. Linux is free and its open source code makes developers feel better about developing applications for it. If IBM doesn't screw Linux up, watch for it to become a REAL alternative to Microsoft's OS in the next 5 years.
Well, actually he tried the Alpha version which he still had to pay for. But Alpha testers are limited to 50~100K users. The beta testers are the ones who run out (even camp out the night before) on its official launch and pay for it. You don't get a true release of the software until the 3rd or 4th service pack and numerous other patches. And even then you might not be out of Beta.
137 posted on 10/27/01 1:19 PM Pacific by Chemnitz
Wow, you seem like a nice person! Thanks for adding to the discussion. Your insight is great!
I am a former Mac bigot. At one point I personally owned 22 state-of-the art Macs for my PC software business. We wrote our software for PCs and Unix, but used Macs for sales, marketing, word processing, e-mail, documentation, and accounting. Those were the days when virtually everything Mac was superior to everything PC. That is no longer the case. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Photoshop, Pagemaker, etc., are as good or better on the PC.
Almost, repeat ALMOST, every PC application is as good or superior to the Mac version or equivalent. Quite simply, I am no longer a believer. I no longer feel compelled to pay a premium price for equivalent hardware and software. Apple lost it's way and will no longer be a player in business, with the exception of the graphics industry.
Windows XP is simply an upgrade of Windows 2000. Anyone who buys a new PC from now on will use it unless they go with Mac, Linux, etc. Windows 2000 and Windows Me are now obsolete, like DOS became obsolete when Win 95 came out.
That is why I am amused at those saying they will never use it. It is like the DOS guys who said they would never go to Windows.
He sounds like a professional. Professionals take two hours, or however long it takes, to make sure that all drivers and apps work, that data is backed up prior to the upgrade (you backed up your critical data before the upgrade, didn't you?), or in the case of jammer's computer guy, that the system will be absolutely compatible with the hardware config that will go out the door with customers in a real business.
Sounds like you had some non-working drivers. So was your system installed, or did you just make it through the wizard? A partial-install with some non-functional devices doesn't fit my definition of professional. Keep track of the time needed to make your system as functional as the one you replaced, then decide whether two hours makes a moron.
Also, I need to keep lots of applications up at one time, and I like knowing I never have to page out to disk, even then.
You must understand that Microsoft only releases BETA software for the public to test. (They have a lot of nerve charging $$ for it). ME never made it to the "Second Edition" (thank goodness!)
I believe you will eventually realize this about XP as well.
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