What operating system do I get tomorrow??

me

[Sungirl]

Plan on searching and praying for drivers for every program and scanner and printer you own....many of the programs I love are NOT ever going to be compatable. That's another reason I don't like it. I am not going to buy all new stuff.

[hole_n_one]

You can't go wrong with this baby............

[monkeyshine]

Windows XP is the best of the choices you listed. If not, probably Win 2000 then.

[Bush2000]

Basically, you must inform, and thereby get permission from Gates & Co. to have a program on your machine

This is a bunch of crap. You simply don't know what you're talking about. Worse, you're misleading others.

If you have multiple machines you must buy extra copies or XP will shut the program down.

No kidding, Sherlock. If you want an OS on another machine, pay for it. They days of freeloading are over.

[Arioch7]

I have recently purchased a system(Alienware, WOOHOO!) that came with Windows XP. I was firmly against the XP O/S from the beginning and I had played with it on friends computers for a few weeks before getting my system.

Now that I have it, I have to say that the above posters are indeed correct. It is very stable and fast. My O/S was configured by Alienware so it does not have all the BS built in. I think XP is a fine operating system. Now for the bad...

It is a privacy NIGHTMARE! It is very, very, very BAD!!! Did you get that? ;)

You have to make sure that your computer is not acting as a server for Microsoft and you have to disable web-sites from reading your Media-Player log. This is pretty main-stream stuff but 75% of users will not even bother. I can only imagine what is hidden undernesth. :D

It is good but be careful.

[Sungirl]

I don't feel like putting you in your place tonight. Maybe next week.

Anyway...pretty soon all our computers will be driven by antennas and sattelites...leaving more land for the beavers.

[LibWhacker]

Have you noticed a performance hit using ProComm? Most of the intermediaries I've tried (for other purposes) have slowed my computer down so much it wasn't worth it.

[Redcloak]

If you're ruling out Linux, go with Win2k. I have that on my box at work and it runs like a champ. But, when it comes time to upgrade the Win98se box at home, I'll be dumping MS in favor of Linux. WinXP isn't for me and Win2k is too expensive. (Well... I think that it's too expensive which really means that I'm too cheap to buy it.) We tinker with hardware too much. I don't want to be having to call Microsoft every few months for a by-your-leave to use my own computer. I'd rather go through the hassle of learning a new OS than the hassle of trying to use one that thinks that it's a subscription based system.

[Sungirl]

I was told that if you change or install more than 4 components...you have to get clearance from Microsoft to use XP..it will clam up. And if you change computers....you have to call them and get clearance....???

[randog]

OK, I'll be the first to say it--Windows NT 4.0 Workstation. I use it at home and work. Don't knock it 'til you've tried it.

[Hajman]

Are you aware that you can change OS shells for programs? Meaning, you can run 98/ME/NT specific programs on WinXP? Remember, WinXP is Windows NT, so it may not automatically run many Win98 programs. However, you can set programs to run as 98 (or ME, or..) programs under XP. That may solve your driver issues (WinXP has drivers for 98 and ME, as well as NT programs). Personally, if all you'll be doing is e-mail or word processing, I'd take Win98. It's stable, small, and cheap. If you're doing something more intensive (with serious programs), then I'd suggest Win2000. It's solid, and runs more programs better without crashing (much better memory managment). However, it is NT, so if you want to configure your system, you'll have to do it the NT way (which actually isn't very hard. Like anything different, you'll just have to get used to it). XP is good if you need the security, speed and stability of NT, but want to be able to play games, or run other 98/ME programs (though the 'call-home' feature is annoying. That's when it asks Microsoft's permission for things).

jmho

-The Hajman-

[monkeyshine]

Windows Millennium is an abomination.

And that's being generous!

Seriously, I have XP, I have not had one crash, and no problems with security. Compared to 98SE...well frankly there is no comparison at all. XP just kicks ars.

Yes, I did have one hitch when I swapped too many internal components, I had to re-register the software, a slight pain in the tush but the customer service people were on the phone within 2 minutes and I was back running within 10.

As for privacy, not really sure what info they are stealing from me, but I don't use the passport service and I have Zone Alarm installed so it warns me whenever anything happens. Automatic updates are actually quite convenient -- and it's not automatic, it asks you first if you want to update it or not.

[Richard Kimball]

ME doesn't suck. It

SUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
UUUUUUUUUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

I've had good luck with 2000 and 98. 2000 is way more stable.

[Rebelbase]

A palm pilot probably has the power of that monstrosity.

[Hajman]

(BTW, Windows 2000 has a Win98 style interface, so for running most programs, it'll 'feel' familiar. It also does pretty well when it comes to most drivers).

-The Hajman-

[monkeyshine]

Yes that is true. How often do you change things? I changed things a lot at first because I was building my own machine, so I had to re-register it, but they didn't give me any problems.

Out of principle if you want to avoid XP for that reason alone, well I won't blame you, but I still think it's worth going with XP, esp on a new machine.

[Sungirl]

Thanks....I guess I don't like the shell either. It is a hassle to get to everything...there is two of everything and I have to give myself permission to get to me! Does that make sense?

It looks like Windows 2000 is the winner so far in here...which is what I was leaning too in the beginning. NOT 'ME'..just plain windows 2000. Hopefully it is not a network...and I can get to me...without going through the administrator..which is also me.

[tet68]

What operating system?

Gas operated,locking bolt,shoulder fired with 20 rnd.box magazine in 7.62x51

Of course!