OT: Considering changing OS (Poll)

[Phoenix-D]

Originally posted by Combat Wombat:
I have the same story here. This computer ran Windows ME and since I have installed XP Pro I have had no problems(except those I have directly caused due to my own stupidity). I have no idea how much XP Pro costs, I won my Version for free from a Microsoft event but an Upgrade Version of XP Pro couldn't be more than $100

The upgrade for Home is gennerally $99. Pro is typically twice as much, and I have yet to see a feature list that justifies that.

[Electrum]

you can get XP home for $95 - $100. XP Pro is about $150. I've used both, unless you need multiprocessor support or remote access to your computer, you probably don't need pro.
You can pick up oem Versions of either at:
www.directdeals.com

[Slynky]

I have a pretty fair working knowledge of all the Windows OSs. 'Cause of my job. Of course, at work, we all used Win2K. Now, we switched over to XP Pro. At home, we use XP Home (well, mostly because we don't need the extra benefits of XP Pro...go read the differences and you will see what I mean).

Though I loathe MS OSs, I have to admit XP Home has been the best yet. I don't load a lot of crap on my system...no IMs of any sort, no meters, no cute little programs to sit in the tray and screw around with stability...so this and XP may account for the lack of a crash in, well, I can't remember...perhaps a year or more.

If you have the opportunity, I'd offload everything you can (and need), wipe the HD clean, and install from the getgo. Then, get your antivirus loaded. Next, get your internet up and get all the virus updates and XP updates. If you are on dial-up, this will take a while but live with it. It's worth it. Once you are safe, rebuild the rest of your system.

You won't be sorry.

[PvK]

WinMe is my least favorite Version of Windohs.

I like Win98SE when I can get away with it, for myself, because of the reduced BS. But I wouldn't recommend it to Users who don't already know enough to keep from messing it up.

Next I'd recommend Win2K Pro. More BS but sturdier.

Next, for people who like to be trendy and/or like saccharine user-friendly condescending interfaces, or who don't know a whole lot about computers, I would sorta say XP, but I really dislike XP myself. Way too much MS BS, and the prime target OS of all hackers and viruses. Stupid changes that break or mess up old games. Animated puppies to kill. Still being "upgraded" by MS all the time, full of the latest bad MS ideas, etc.

Linux is a good choice if you don't mind geeking around with funky stuff, and perhaps having problems if you want to use Windohs software.

PvK

[President_Elect_Shang]

I use XP Home, been runing it since about July Last year or so. Never had one problem, not even the smallest of hic-ups. I don't feel that I am missing any features I need or can't get better Versions of from a third party company.

[ March 28, 2004, 04:34: Message edited by: President Elect Shang ]

[Slynky]

Originally posted by PvK:
Next, for people who like to be trendy and/or like saccharine user-friendly condescending interfaces, or who don't know a whole lot about computers, I would sorta say XP, but I really dislike XP myself. Way too much MS BS, and the prime target OS of all hackers and viruses. Stupid changes that break or mess up old games. Animated puppies to kill. Still being "upgraded" by MS all the time, full of the latest bad MS ideas, etc.

"user-friendly condescending interfaces"...?

Well, now there is a good reason not to get an OS .

Stability is the main goal, IMO. And XP is stable. Or the most stable of their home OSs. Sure, I didn't like the look but I just changed it to the old style.

As to being the target of hackers and viruses...I just say, "Give me your best shot." For a comfortable secure system, try this: A NAT router, NAV (auto-updated, of course), Black Ice (from ISS...app control and all), and a little common sense...after all, the idiots who receive email from people they don't know and just HAVE to click on the URL provided are just inviting trouble...otherwise, NAV doesn't let anything get by with a virus (that is known) and I don't open anything from people I don't know.

Yeah, I know if a serious hacker decided to go after me (like those security sites that invite hackers to try and breach their system), I'd probably have a problem but the chances of that are about as likely as a professional diamond burgler targeting my house. And if something like that were to happen, it wouldn't really matter which OS you had.

[PvK]

Originally posted by Slynky:
"user-friendly condescending interfaces"...?

Well, now there is a good reason not to get an OS .
...

It sure is for me. All those annoying layers of n00b-friendly crippled interfaces with big colorful rounded icons with shadows, just getting in the way of doing basic things. Stupid wizards with animated characters for a file search that sometimes fails to find files. New innovations in how to make folders named "My X" that are actually misleading shortcuts, and software that assumes I want to use their "My X" disorganization. Whose X? Ya, ok, so you can learn the skill of *****slapping XP's annoying defaults until it works about like Win2K Pro. Or, you can just use Win2K Pro, get a working Search function, less BS, and no "you don't really own your copy of the OS" registration scheme.

PvK

[DavidG]

Originally posted by Slynky:
NAV (auto-updated, of course), Black Ice (from ISS...app control and all), and a little common sense...after all, the idiots who receive email from people they don't know and just HAVE to click on the URL provided are just inviting trouble...otherwise, NAV doesn't let anything get by with a virus (that is known)

Is this what you think? Here's a scenario (one that actually happened). It's Thursday and a new virus has been detected. McAffee and Norton imediately add it to their definitions. Come Monday the virus gets sent to the office and McAfee happily detects it BUT wait Norton is letting it through? WTF! Turns out Norton only updates it's Live Update definitions on Wednesdays!! The stupidity of this amazed me and I let norton know about it. (I could go to the norton site and manual update it but Live Update did squat) The moral of the story is don't assume your are protected from all know virus because you have NAV on auto update.

[Timstone]

Hmm... that is indeed a very freaky story. I better watch out with NIS 2k4.
Oh and everybody with a little bit knowledge on how to find stuff on the net or with the right contacts is able to run a Version of XP without the registration stuff added. Those Versions can be updated whenevery the owner likes.

[DavidG]

Originally posted by Slynky:
Not sure what is going on with the Norton you have experience with but I just checked my virus def date and it shows 3/26...a Friday. And I NEVER run LiveUpdate manually. So what is this about only doing it on Wednesdays?

Couldn't find the reference to wednesday but is is definately a weekly update. From the symantec website:

LiveUpdate
Most home and small offices Users practicing safe computing find that LiveUpdate provides an excellent balance of protection and ease of use. LiveUpdate definitions are updated weekly , except for major outbreaks, when definitions are updated more often.

Intelligent Updater
Network administrators with many computers, those who have a fast connection, and those who use newsGroups are at extra risk of viruses and other threats. They may want to use the Intelligent Updater. For them, the extra protection is worth manually downloading and installing definitions. Intelligent Updater is updated daily during the work week.

Personaly i was kind of pissed that I got sent a known virus while I had norton and other computer in the office with McAfee were detecting it.

P.S. Here is the link i got the info from: link

[ March 28, 2004, 13:59: Message edited by: DavidG ]