Heh. I installed Windows XP Professional and it sure is nice. :p I like it. :) Although, I'm pretty sure Microsoft can read all my email now. Who knows - that's what somebody told me today. I don't care. Otherwise, it's much faster and the interfact is much nicer. Everything does look a lot cooler. And, it does work better. Altogether I think it's really great. :)

Warning. When you install it, backup your email "Application Data" if you don't want to lose all your email and settings like I did... :(

For the pure fact of running more stable than previous Win OS (except W2K/NT), you´re absolutely right.
Another pro in my eyes is that MS have now set up standards for any devices, so you won´t have to fiddle around with different driver versions anymore (I´m still trying to make my graphic card run properly under W2K...).

But...each time Microsoft releases a new OS it needs more and more system and harddrive capacity. If MS continues to create their OS this way, one of the next versions requires it´s own harddrive and 1 Gig of system memory...

Another facts which makes me refraining from upgrading to XP are the ridiculous registration and installation processes.
Okay, you can detour getting your system (and your personal ID´s!) spied out by calling that hotline for the registration number from a phone booth...I guess this needs no more explanation of ridicuously. And, if I have to call them each time when I´ve replaced certain parts of my PC, like the graphic card and the printer (example)...heck, is it of Microsofts concern which devices I´m using? Those informations will also be extracted from the registry if you get your new key when requesting it online.
It´s only a small matter then that I have to install nearly all components of XP without having the choice to leave some out, not to mention it takes some tricks to deinstall them afterwards.

Sorry Bill...unless your folks won´t find a way of programming a 'really good' OS without all those disturbances, XP is no choice for me.

I didn't really like XP - my husband does and has it on his system but I actually still prefer 98 to be honest :) I'm a dinosaur!

Never used the XP yet. My new computer has ME and it seems to do alright.

Originally posted by Zel:
<STRONG>I didn't really like XP - my husband does and has it on his system but I actually still prefer 98 to be honest :) I'm a dinosaur!</STRONG>

No, Zel...you´re just wise... :D

Since a few weeks, I´m running around and replace ME with 98SE on the comps of my friends... :)
I´m using Win2K for everday use and 98SE for the few things which won´t run under 2K. Works fine for me...

I took part in the XP preview program and was surprised. I actually found myself liking XP a lot. The stability was a key advantage. The Luna interface is alright, but I use Windowblinds, DesktopX and/or Litestep anyway, so I am constantly changing my interface.

I was worries about the "Product Activation", but am not so concerned with it now that I have used it. It is effortless really. Plus, they have adjusted it so that it no longer is as stringent as it once was. Wave, you could change out your graphics card, sound card and a few other components without concern now.

I may not upgrade right away (I'll wait for some fixes to be released and also for the driver base to get into place). I did have a problem finding drivers for some of my equipment. Although, that should not really be a problem once it hits the shelves. I'll still wait a while though.

Silly question... is XP eventually going to replace the NT/Win2K architecture? I ask this because we just upgraded to 2K about six months ago, in my office. I really like 2K so far. Not nearly as many crashes... I can crash anything! (The IT dept. calls me the "Power User," hehe)

Oh, P.S., Sal, I think Bill Gates should get a T-shirt with "Windows XP is Cooley-Poops" emblazoned on it. :D

...Oh, wait, I bet they've already gotten that phrase off your computer and started the print run.... free ad writing! j/k (I hope!) :D

Haha, Mary! You're great! :p I do hear they can see your email now so..

But! I just finished writing some CDs. It's easy now as all you have to do is drag and drop into your writable CD folder. But, I bet Microsoft has something written on all those CDs automatically. This way, they can track down who copied their stuff.. Hmm...

Originally posted by Shakey:
<STRONG>
I was worries about the "Product Activation", but am not so concerned with it now that I have used it. It is effortless really. Plus, they have adjusted it so that it no longer is as stringent as it once was. Wave, you could change out your graphics card, sound card and a few other components without concern now.
</STRONG>

As far as I know from different computer mags here, they have lifted it a bit...but the restrictions are still there.
Okay, I´m not changing my devices like clothes, but it´s plainly unacceptable in my eyes to spy out the users in any way.
Microsoft is granted to protect their products from pirate copying of course, but they have to do it in an appropriate way.

It´s still not cleared if those restrictions are legal, as it collides with the copyrights of customers and the protection of personal data. Microsoft may even face a lawsuit about these items in Germany.

Last but not least, since it´s based on the NT engine, I don´t feel the need for changing to XP since Win2K Pro is just running fine. If Microsoft will refrain from this registration process, I may rethink it.

First off, "Yes" Mary. XP is eventually going to replace Windows 2000. It's Microsoft's goal to unify all of their respective OS's into one.

Wave. I fully agree. If I were using Win 2K, I would not upgrade either. XP is based upon the NT kernel and would offer you no more stability than you already have. As for the "Product Activation"? I can understand why they are doing it, but I don't like it either. I think it gives MS too much control over my PC. That wasn't my argument at all. I was simply commenting on the upgrading portion of "PA", which MS has extended.

It's all a moot point anyway. There already are (and they will become more prevalent once XP is released) ways around the whole activation scheme. So to Bill we say :p

Funny you should start this thread Sal. My husband just wiped his hard drive and loaded in XP Executive Professional and he's all happy. I'm still not switching but I have to admit the bells and whistles are kinda nice :)

I'll consider looking into it when I get my new computer. Which hopefully will be in January. :)

Sorry Sal but it is not so great when you are networked and on the net. I don't know if it is a system or bandwidth hog but since my husband loaded it in a few days ago I have had nothing but troubles. I am still 98 and not changing :mad:

It makes getting onto here and Chat a mess when he is on the net shooting people with his Mplayer. Sorry just venting but I really don't like it!