Windows--98, 2000, ME, XP???

[glennmac]

In researching new laptops, I see that if I go IBM, I can buy, for different prices, otherwise similar models with either Windows 98 (2nd edition) or ME or 2000. It seems if I wait a while, I can get machines with XP, which seems to come in about three different flavors itself (home, office, pro, ?) I have tried researching what these differences are, but the developmental history of Windows is incomprehensible to me.

I will be doing MS Office apps at work and at home, digital camera stuff, and web surfing. No graphics. The new machines selling with W98 on them are significantly cheaper. IBM tells me that a machine with 98 will have different bios and drivers, or something, than a new machine set up with 2000. My dim understanding is that XP is supposed to ultimately supersede everything.

Without going into great detail, I would appreciate comments on:

1. Which Windows do I want to end up with eventually?
2. If the answer is XP, is it more or less technically easy to get there depending on whether I buy a W98 machine or a W2000 machine.
3. Will I somehow be boxing myself in, Windozewise, by getting a W98 machine now, which have the best pricing. I dont plan on trading in the hardware.

Thanks for your continued help.

 

[ejb]

I think it is too soon to say wether or not XP is the ultimate goal...depends on initial bug reports etc. I will say that I use Win 2000 primarily and I find it pretty darn close to rock solid and a real pleasure. Win 98 stinks and I constantly crash and need to reboot. Win 2000 does everthing I want, but then again I don't play games or use audio/video on it so I can't say for sure if Win 2000 supports that in a seamless way or not.

I'd vote for 2000 over 98 or ME, but will have to try out XP to see if it is even better.

 

[scruffy]

Glenn, if you wish to 'Give away the Farm', then by all means got with ME, XP, or 2000. If you DO go with one of those, then the very FIRST thing to do is install a very good third party Firewall. XP for example is a hacker's paradise, and is why all the teeny-bopper type hackers go for it and love it. It opens ALL the ports and hence is open to hacking.
M$ pricing schema is to charge you for EVERY time you load it. Want to replace that defunct hard-drive? Oops, gonna cost you....although rumors are that M$ is rethinking THAT major faux-paux, they haven't backed off yet. They do not wish to admit that they have completely blown the security of your pc by opening the ports, but eventually, that will probably be tightened up...maybe.
My recommendation is 98, or Linux....which has a gui interface also in its KDE desktop.
Of course, all the above is my own opinion, and admittedly is 'colored' by my dislike of MicroSoft and its lack of business ethics. I can only hope that they move their corporate headquarters to Afghanastan, and hire the Taliban to run it.

 

[MikePA]

I agree with ejb. As long as you do not want to play games (which sometimes access the hardware directly - a Windows2000 and WindowsNT no-no) I recommend Windows2000 Professional. As long as you have the installation key, usually on a sticker pasted to the CDRom case, you can install Windows2000 as many times as you want. Scruffy is right about WindowsXP, and OfficeXP as well, MS changed their licensing model and companies are up in arms. Many are not migrating to XP because of both the pricing model and it doesn't offer enough improvements over Win2K. I use my laptop to edit both audio and video and it works great. I recommend WindowsXP second and Windows98 last.

 

[TerryinMD]

If and when you buy a Intel-based laptop, most manufacturers are either including XP upgrades or shipping it pre-installed.

Microsoft has changed the licensing policy somewhat. They have removed some of the issues triggering a call back to MS to activate the license AT NO ADDITIONAL COST. An update is available to remove that limitation. I wouldn't be too concerned about that.

I've been running XP for a few weeks now and just upgraded to the street version last weekend. How?? My wife works as a merchandiser for MS and she gets copies so that she understands the product.

To be honest, the have merged ME and W2k. The home upgrade is around $99 and professional is $199. For home use, you probably do not need the Professional. It has some newer features allowing expanded usage of digital cameras, CD burning, and other goodies . Just last weekend, my oldest daugher took some digital pictures and here's what we did.

1. Plugged the camera to the USB cable.
2. Double clicked on the H: drive (the camera)
3. Viewed the pictures with Windows Explorer.
4. Highlighted the pictures my daughter wanted.
5. Copied them to the CD burner.
6. A couple of minutes later - done.

No additional software. No fumbling with application manuals.

I'm no MS bigot by any means. But, I think that they've gotten a good product which is close to a MAC OS as possible.

The only reason I switched was to be able to use some particular applications that I need for work.

One caveat is that you may not be able to use some of your older devices and software. A real biggy is printer support. We have a multifunction printer and HP has not released any drivers or software to support it. /w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif

Terry



<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by TerryinMD on 10/19/01 12:04 PM (server time).</FONT></P>

 

[MikePA]

If I could get XP for free, I'd upgrade in a heartbeat (love the new toys). Even being a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) won't get me freebies. The best I can do is get versions that quit working after 90 - 120 days.

The upgrade cost for XP was why I ranked it second. For new PCs, Win2K and XP, assuming no additional charges for wither of them, I'd rank them tied for first.

 

[TerryinMD]

Mike,

We're lucky to get it for free (not totally - conditions do apply). We still have to buy one more copy since we have two machines. Following what the Presidents wants - keep that economy going!! /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Glennmac - I would suggest that you purchase your laptop with the assurance that you can upgrade to XP at no additional cost. I think that most manufacturers will be doing that to keep up with the competition. Gateway and Staples are two that are shipping preloaded.

Terry

 

[RPM]

Re: Windows-98, 2000, ME, XP? - Personal Firewalls

Windows XP is basically built on the core Windows 2000 operating system - but has an enhanced user interface and better compatibility with games and multimedia doodads.

I use Windows 2000 Professional and like ejb think it is pretty much rock solid. Have been using it now for almost 2 years (had the beta version) - and not once have I seen it crash. It's rare that I have less than 15 windows open at a time.

Just give it plenty of memory to play with - I'd recommend a minimum of 256MB -- which is cheap these days.

FYI - I use Zone Labs personal firewall. It's great and very stable. Can't tell you how many times (but is dozens a day) my machine gets probed or 'port scanned' by unauthorized individuals. Zone Alarm (the firewall) keeps me clean - and the basic version can be downloaded for free. I've been very impressed.

FYI #2 - there was a big fuss about some standard Linux packages a while ago as the default installation also left all 'ports' open to the Internet. In my experience Linux is best for those with more system administration skills ...

Hope this helps

Patrick

 

[rf33]

I would go with any of the Windows NT based OSes (Windows NT, Windows 2000, or Windows XP) over any of the Windows 9X based systems from a stability standpoint. Windows 9X based systems sacrifice stability for backwards (and I do mean backwards/w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif) compatability most people do not need to use anyways. If all of your apps that you need to run will run on Windows 2000, that would be my first choice. I think that XP will be great, but I tend to shy away from very new operating systems, I like the public to have them for several months so that all of the bugs can get worked out and be service packed. I hope that this helps

rf33

/w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

 

[MikePA]

Re: Windows-98, 2000, ME, XP? - Personal Firewalls

Ditto on Zone Alarm.

 

[TerryinMD]

Re: Windows-98, 2000, ME, XP? - Personal Firewalls

Is Zone Alarm for enterprise or personal usage?

A few of the remarks seem to be coming from a enterprise support viewpoint, not a home computing view. Apples and oranges (to an extent). I consider myself somewhere in the middle of understanding Windows and all of its nuances. Worked in computing and have a good understanding of how things work, but not MSCE or having any certifications. So, some of the stuff presented is/can be daunting to some of the folks.

I have a small home network but it is not attached to the outside world other than a dialup modem. Or is it.... (I hear the theme from the Twilight Zone in the background)

Terry

 

[MikePA]

Re: Windows-98, 2000, ME, XP? - Personal Firewalls

Personal. I did use Black Ice Defender (another personal firewall) when I used a modem to connect to the Internet.

When I got DSL, I switched to Zone Alarm. Too many problems with Black Ice Defender. As others have stated, you would be surprised how many people out on the Internet go poking around seeing which systems they can hack into.

You might also be surprised what software on your PC talks to the Internet without telling you. ZoneAlarm will catch this and ask you if it should allow this, either on a permanent or a one time basis.

If you want an eye opener, go to http://www.grc.com, click on ShieldsUp and let it test your shields and probe your ports.

 

[ejb]

Re: Windows-98, 2000, ME, XP? - Personal Firewalls

Zone ALram is an awesome program, and best of all free. I have a full-blown hardware based firewall at my house (watchguard firebox II) because I work at home, but I keep a copy of zonealarm running on one of my machines (I have about a 12 node network in my cellar!) just in case someone/something doesgets thru the "real" firewall I will know about it. (So far not a single ping has made it thru). I have tested the zonealarm a few times without the WG firewall running, and it does a great job.

Try it, you'll like it, and it is free!

For personal firewalls I would defintely recommend Zonealarm. If anyone needs an entrprise firewall, watchguard does an awesome job.

 

[TerryinMD]

Re: Windows-98, 2000, ME, XP? - Personal Firewalls

Whoa - A twelve node network!! And you have time to play, err, do work around the house on your tractor!!

Terry

 

[TerryinMD]

Re: Windows-98, 2000, ME, XP? - Personal Firewalls

Mike and ejb,

You mention Zone Alarm but forgot to say where you got it. If it's free, I want it. I used McAfees bundled version last year and turned it off. Made the machine inoperable. Guess that's why they give it away.

I went to the ShieldsUp Web site. Ran the utility. I have never had a Web site laugh at me. /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif No real vulnureabilities (sp?) Just the typical default W2k/WXP port problems. No sharing yet.

Thank you for the tip. The Twilight Zone theme stopped playing. Whew!!!

Terry

 

[huckflynn]

My philosophy with laptops -- get the latest and greatest at the time of purchase. The internals of laptops are so proprietary that laptop vendors typically do not support upgrades to later versions of operating systems (unless you are buying around the time of a new release of an os and they give you a "free upgrade" as a part of the original purchase.)

That would put you in an XP flavor. I've played with XP professional at length and have not had any problems with it -- and I like the idea of having the same OS for home or business.

Right now I dual boot between Windows 2000 which is what I work in everyday for stability reasons and Win98 which has more dvd and game support -- very important when my grandson comes over.

XP should eventually eliminate the need for dual booting (although, on one machine I am now choosing between 1 of 3 os's for various software support)

 

[ejb]

Re: Windows-98, 2000, ME, XP? - Personal Firewalls

When all else fails...try http://www.zonealarm.com/

Yes, the 12 node net in my basement keeps me busy, but one the upside I don't have to run the furnace in the winter/w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

 

[glennmac]

For those who would like to read an article on the evolutionary history and future of Windows, here is one that is beyond me: http://www.archivebuilders.com/whitepapers/22001h.html

 

[Buck]

I'm running XP Professional (release candidate 2). I installed this over Windows 2000 Professional. XP requires more memory than 2000. The ability to process digital pictures from cameras, write CD's etc. is far better in XP. I like XP better than 2000, but not by a mile. However, if I were buying the laptop I'd buy XP.

Buck

 

[JayC]

Hi. I run Windows ME and am quite satisfied with it. I would recommend it. Windows XP is quite hardware intensive and requires a good amount of the machine's resources. So, if you get a new laptop with XP make real sure it has the required amount of resources. I would say nothing less than 128MB RAM and 900MhZ-1.2Ghz. I looked into XP quite thoughly and was thinking about upgrading when I saw the requirements. /w3tcompact/icons/crazy.gif So, in all I would recommend ME, but if you want XP wait a while longer and make real sure the machine can handle it. I can't stress that enough. You don't want to spend $1500-2000 and end up with an ill-equiped machine. XP, I understand, is also supposed to be more stylish. I saw a couple screenshots and it does look better. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif Hope this helps.