Windows XP "hype"...?

[Pauline_G]

While even the most passionate Microsoft critics seem grudgingly impressed by WXP, I also keep hearing a lot from people who believe XP to be overrated. While one person gushes about stability and ease of use, another is ranting about compatibility problems. Over at cnet.com (http://www.cnet.com/software/0-806340-1218-6534881.html?pn=3&lb=0&ob=0&tag=st.sw.806340.top.6534881-3), the yey and ney-sayers seem virtually split down the middle, with 54% voting "thumbs up" and 46% voting "thumbs down".
My brother (the official geek in the family), suggested upgrading from my currant W98 to 2000 for stability, and getting XP later. His reasoning is that XP is still too new and needs more tweaking to be truly stable enough. He is planning to use 2000 until XP comes out with the equivalent of 98's "SE". Is this a good idea? I don't want to stay with W98. However, 2000 (often considered primarily as an office OS) has (had?) a reputation for not supporting games and other non-office programs.
Is WXP worth getting now or is it worth waiting a little longer for?

Thanks for your thoughts,
Pauline_G

[iisbob]

personally i loved 2000 when it debuted and used it pretty much exclusively until XP started showing up. The beta's for XP weren't that impressive-however the final product is far superior to either 98 or 2000. I've not had as near as many issues with this " first " Xp as i did originally with the OEM release of 2000.

I only used 95/98 for specific programs-2000 ran/runs %99 of all games just fine-especially anything that was created in the last 3-4 years.

Actually, XP shows more stability with common everyday usage than 2k originally did when it was first released. I've only come across some niggling issues with getting drivers for a few 3rd party hardware items. And as yet i've only had one program that refused to run properly in XP-but then i had the same problem with that program in 2k.

I don't see a service pack really adding any more true improvement to XP. As MS has already got another entirely different version of windows anticipated to debut in just anotehr year or two. So then it'll be a choice of whether or not to go with the next Windows or stick with the " tried & true " XP. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif

I believe most people's problems with XP stems from the fact that they are totaly unfamaliar with how NT works-it's an entirely different animal than 95, and thus the way XP ( based on NT not 95 ) handles things confuses these people who are not used to a true power users enviroment in Windows. So they give it a thumbs down because they are basing their experiance on their limited usage of 95/98-not realizing the power behind the NT kernel that resides at the heart of XP, who's origins lie in the business world, not the home user.

I would suggest that no matter which OS you go with ( 2k or XP ), that you do a dual boot for awhile to make sure your hardware/software work as you like and to give yourself time to familarize yourself with the way these NT kernel OS's work while still having your already familiar 98 too hand.



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iisbob

There is no such thing as a stupid question; just an improper one.-my own belief

[old_kid]

Hi IIs:

It might be interesting to see that split on XP between clean install and upgrade - there seems to be a considerable difference - hardware comaptibility aside.

I did one upgrade and it was a nasty experience - wouldn't even consider doing one again.

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Good Judgement comes from Experience - Experience comes from Bad Judgement - but bad judgement is more fun!!

[spitzaf]

i upgraded from ME (i know!) to XP a while ago and am absolutely satisfied with it. it is hands-down more stable and the compatibility hasn't been an issue. even if it does come up, you can set individual program compatibility and microsoft has a compatibility tool you can download too to take it even further. when i first installed it, i wanted to do some tweaking, but finding everything was slightly difficult, as you can no longer do some simple "run" commands....i noticed a pretty big difference in system speed, though not a good one when i switched, but figured out that it was simply the added goodies in XP that give the visual style. i turned most of them off and now it flies. my final word: go for it. you won't regret it once you learn just what XP is about and all the little things if offers in addition to stability and reliability.

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Athlon 1.4GHz
Shuttle AK31
GeForce2 MX400
256 MB DDR 2100
WinXP

[old_kid]

IISbob:

Thing of it is - XP IS a different platform but, on the box, in large letters, "for Pc's with WIN95 or earlier versions" or something to that effect.

This can be particualrly distressful to someone, like myself, with 4 machines, bought 4 XP's, installed one only - I have some DOS programs that have irreplacable data bases and there are problems with backup etc - which I didn't expect - I did research this before buying

Logically - there shouldn't be a problem - but WINXP is not as backward compatible as other WIN versions - at least not in this corner



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Good Judgement comes from Experience - Experience comes from Bad Judgement - but bad judgement is more fun!!

[atc_traffic856]

Sorry to jump in on this, I have 98 second edition> I would like to have the 2 windows example I will partition my HD using Magic, and keep my 98S
But I must have w2000 pro for my courses A+ etc. I would also like to have XP pro, after I install the two new windows w2000 pro and xzp pro if all runs well then i will dismantle 98s. And only run Xp pro as my master boot.
The other question is that I will have a full installment on the w2000 pro and will try the xp pro upgrade, I have a yr. old machine and drivers are the via 4 & 1. But the upgrade is a headache to install for that it may conflict with the w 2000 << is this a good idea or is there an area that I should improve on all these installments??? Thank you very much>
len