********************How do you like WINDOWS XP?********************

From me ^ | 27 Oct 01 | Democrats are liars

[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.

[Bush2000]

Our rule of thumb: forget OS upgrades. If you're going to try a new OS, start from absolute scratch.

Well, that may be your practice but it is hardly recommended for all users. I would recommend that users backup all their critical data and try an upgrade first. If that fails, try to the pave and reinstall approach.

[Bush2000]

I'll never use XP or any MS software that requires product activation.

Your name reflects your attitude.

[Bush2000]

. I no longer feel compelled to pay a premium price for equivalent hardware and software.

Welcome back, brother. It's good to have you home where you belong. ;-)

[Bush2000]

After 6 years of MS-DOS, Win 3.1 and Win 95/98, I broke down and bought an iMac, and never looked back. All I do is fiddlefart around with the Net and do light wordprocessing. I bought a closeout Cube and 15" LCD screen and it ROCKS.

I congratulate your on our selection of a new, shiny Barbie Computer. Did you get a Ken doll with that, too?

[Bush2000]

Worst Windows product of ALL time. Leave your old OS on or wait for a better one. If MS doesn't get it's act together soon they'll go bust. Paying more for less is not a big selling point.

Thanks for the useless opinion. But we're getting pretty used to your useless tripe. Actually, the original poster was asking for opintions from people who installed XP -- not some ignorant Mac/Linux user with an attitude.

[tje]

"ME was a terrible piece of software not worth ranking.

Thats strange you would say that I was just bragging about how stable and an improvement it is over 98. Me thinks you are an amateur."

Sorry Wiley, Carol is right on this call. ME should never have seen the light outside of redmond.

[HBAR223]

I did a full install of the home edition on Friday. I plan on spending my Monday off trying to solve remaining problems. 1. Creative has no XP drivers till late Nov. for my Soundblaster Live Platinum soundcard. 2. No e-mail on my Roadrunner cable ISP. Tech line told me their e-mail not compatable with XP yet. 3. No XP drivers to be found for my Sandisc compact flash reader. I'm very surprised that as popular the Live! soundcard is that all versions aren't supported by XP. I'm sure Creative's customer service people are being kept busy.

[TechJunkYard]

I've heard a lot of people suggest that Windows XP is merely Win2K with a new Shell. That is nonsense.....
XP strives to be as compatible with Win9x as possible while maintaining the reliability of Win2K. That was a huge effort and, I assure you, more than mere window dressing.

Okay... been scanning this thread and see a little new & different.

Less lockups, lot peppier, "twice as fast", etc... well, the Registry is nice and clean now.. lets see what it's like after you install your 200 games and apps...

Four Desktops. Wow. KDE, Gnome, Enlightenment, etc., they've all had that for years... but with KDE you get TEN desktops... or more.. I never went past ten.

Outlook won't talk to "old" pop servers? That's new. I hope when RoadRunner upgrades it doesn't break mail for the rest of us.

Missing drivers, driver incompatibility problems, nothing new here.

Scratch-install easier than upgrades, that's not new.

So, c'mon XP users and promoters, why should I use it? Tell me what's so new and innovative about this release? Or is most of the innovating going on (as I suspect) with the server side stuff?

[tje]

MS incorporating other companies IP is a different topic. My agreement with Carol with regards to ME were in reference to it being a poor operating system is based on my first hand experience. If your experience was different, I think you must have been lucky.

[RightOnline]

Let's just say that Bush2000 is a "Microsoft Bigot". That's not necessarily some sort of put-down, Bush2K, but you make it more than obvious. That's fine, if that's your way. However, you do have a rather haughty way about you in the statement of your opinions on this thread that tends to turn many off. You like Microsoft? You like XP? Use 'em. Frankly.........I've ALWAYS used MS OS's and like 'em just fine; have used them for years........but I also have a great deal of respect for Linux (especially Red Hat and Mandrake for the desktop).

TJY, the biggest single difference with XP is this: it's a full, 64-bit OS. That won't mean squat to the average home user. It can mean a LOT in the business environment for those looking for alternatives to proprietary, 64-bit UNIX systems (assuming their ISV's have ported). XP does seem to have some rather nice capabilities for working with "older", "legacy" peripherals as well. As I mentioned above, I've been tickled pink with Win2K.............runs everything I have, everything I want to have, and I don't need 64-bit capability for the foreseeable future. I'll stay pat with Win2K.

And Bush2000, know this: Unless MS gets their act together on their B.S. "licensing" approach (loading / licensing system-at-a-time; try that with some of our clients who have many, many thousands of systems), they're going to get their asses waxed in the marketplace. Business doesn't like that; business doesn't like being dictated to in such a way.........and there ARE alternatives. You may disagree, and as I stated, that's your right. I'll put my 18 years in this side of the business on the table that says they'd best pay attention to this little detail.

When a business becomes that difficult with which to do business, they start losing business. MS just hasn't had to deal with that yet...........but they're about to learn with XP in a big way. Mark my words.

[Bush2000]

I've ALWAYS used MS OS's and like 'em just fine; have used them for years........but I also have a great deal of respect for Linux (especially Red Hat and Mandrake for the desktop).

Great. I just wish you and your bretheren would stop trying to force Linux down everyone's throats at every turn -- and especially when your opinion on Linux wasn't even solicited on a Windows XP thread.

And Bush2000, know this: Unless MS gets their act together on their B.S. "licensing" approach (loading / licensing system-at-a-time; try that with some of our clients who have many, many thousands of systems),

Bullsh*t. If your clients have many, many thousands of clients, they already have an enterprise license -- and read my lips -- the enterprise license doesn't have an activation requirement.

[Bush2000]

So, c'mon XP users and promoters, why should I use it? Tell me what's so new and innovative about this release? Or is most of the innovating going on (as I suspect) with the server side stuff?

XP users and promoters would be better served just using the product than trying to convince somebody who's already using Linux and could give a flying rat's ass about XP.

[Bush2000]

I wouldn't call it luck, I have built at least 5 systems now and kinda know what I'm doing.

Amazing, ain't it, how the Mac and Linux guys always seem to have so much trouble installing Microsoft operating systems?!? Makes you wonder if they actually even bother to do it in the first place ...

[tje]

I wouldn't call it luck, I have built at least 5 systems now and kinda know what I'm doing.

That's good. And I'm sure that you do know what you're doing.

[Knitebane]

Stating that "everyone knows it" doesn't make it true.

A virus, in computer terminology, is a self-replicating piece of code, usually damaging to the system that it infects.

GPL code does not fit that description.

If one wanted to use correct terminology to describe GPL code one would call it a self-protecting liscense.

Microsoft is whiny about it because it takes the repercusions of theft to a new level. In the past, when MS got caught stealing code, they just paid the fine and when about their business. But if MS steals GPL code and gets caught, they would have to open up their own code. Horrors! We would actually know what's in their code. Backdoors? Security problems? Or simply just crap code?

I feel for them. But not enough to let them, or you, get away with such a tremendous distortion of the truth.

Knitebane

[Citizen of the Savage Nation]

Try installing Linux (any distribution) as a dual-boot system, then work with both for a while and see which you prefer. I think the chances are at least even that you'll like Linux better.

Any advice for this Linux virgin on how to do this, helpful links or such? I was toying with the idea before, I've got a new system with Win ME and wouldn't mind having Linux on there, too, as a dual boot system but lack the necessary experience.