Since I now have a PC running Windows XP, its time for a review of this latest OS from Microsoft - and the review is very positive.
To go into history just a bit, Microsoft has had two different Windows operating systems for quite a few years. The "personal" OS was originally Windows 3.1, then Windows 95, then Windows 98 (original, SE, and ME). The "business" OS (used for both servers and individual client PCs) was Windows NT which evolved to Windows 2000 Professional. The Windows 95 product line was based on extensions to DOS - yes, the original DOS that the first IBM PCs came with. The origins of the NT code were a bit cloudier, but it probably came from a UNIX base.
Microsoft wanted to converge the two product lines, but was unable to do so. The overwhelming demand for Windows and the latest features kept driving the Windows 95 family onwards before the Windows NT family could catch up. Finally, Microsoft bit the bullet and forced a convergence. It was basically Windows 2000 cleaned up, with enhanced usability, and now called Windows XP.
I have been running Windows 2000 on my personal PC for quite a while now - it is far better (meaning far more stable) than Windows 98. It rarely (but not never) fails, and there are a lot of additional features that a techie like me would like - much better ability to monitor and control the system.
But now a few of my clients and I have gotten XP systems. What I found was in general pretty good. XP is obviously (obvious to techies anyhow!) based on Windows 2000. On top of that base, they added a lot more usability, and some built-in support for devices such as CD-RW writing.
By far, the biggest change is that the desktop has been totally redesigned. The desktop is much more colorful, with bigger buttons for maximize/minimize, close, etc. The Start button has been enhanced and in general most of the folders that you open have tips and clues about how to use them. It's a lot easier to figure out how to do what you want to do, because a prompt for it is probably displayed right in front of you. For example, if you go to the Control Panel and click on Users and Passwords, you are prompted as to what you want to do - Add a User, Change a User, etc.
Now, this is good, but one of my fears on moving to XP was that all the stuff I had previously learned would be lost - in other words, things were moved around and there were too many "wizards" in the code blocking me from just selecting the settings like I used to. Fortunately, you can "backtrack" and set up XP to look and work just like Windows 2000 does. I generally leave my clients set up with the new interface, but quickly converted my personal PC back.
So, here is the low-down. If you are getting a new PC, you should certainly get XP with it (more on which one later). However, if you are a business user and really have to depend on your PC, you might consider staying with Windows 2000 Pro and waiting until at least the third quarter of this year (when the first XP fix package comes out) to upgrade. In no case would I recommend Windows 98 ME or earlier now.
Upgrading is a different story. If your PC is more than two years old, it may not be able to support XP. And, with the low costs of PCs these days, buying a new one might be a much more wise use of your money - you can buy a new PC box for $700 or less including Windows - why spend $100 or $200 to upgrade your OS alone. Microsoft's website contains a lot of information about PC requirements to upgrade.
There are two versions of XP - Home and Professional. They are essentially identical - MS just stripped some stuff out of the Professional version, justifying them charging less somehow. My advice is this: If your new PC vendor does not give you a choice, go with what they give you, even if it is the Home version. In fact my new PC (notebook, actually) came with the Home version. If you have a choice and can afford it, I would recommend getting the full Professional version. If you are upgrading, the Home version is probably OK. Again, more on the differences at the Microsoft website.
(Bob Seidel is a local computer consultant in the Southport / Oak Island area. You can visit his website at www.bobseidel.com or e-mail him at bsc@bobseidel.com).