Re: Win98, then WinXP, and now only Vista??
Bill in Co. wrote:
| Roger Fink wrote:
|> Bill in Co. wrote:
|>> Well, this is a bit OT, and I'm still a die hard Win98SE fan,
|>> but....
|>>
|>> I was just checking this out, and it looks like even WinXP is
|>> getting harder to find on a new system these days. (For
|>> example, it seems Circuit City sells their systems only with Vista
|>> now). It appears time is running out.
|>>
|>> I checked the Dell site, and apparently you can still get a new
|>> system with WinXP, (but probably not for much longer, I bet).
|>> Which is a bit scary. WHO wants Vista????? (At least XP would be
|>> tolerable!). I'm almost tempted to get another computer with XP -
|>> before that is too late.
|>>
|>> I believe you can get a new Dell Inspiron, with WinXP, for about
|>> $1000, complete - which seems pretty reasonable. Anyways, if
|>> anyone has any additional info they want to share, go for it.
|>
|> Bill, I've been using W2K in a new white box for over a year now
|> (OK, not so new anymore) . I bought the OS off of ebay which you can
|> still do. If you are uninterested in changing your "user experience"
|> from 98, by which I mean the GUI, quicklaunch, access to data and OS
|> files through the Explorer file tree, W2K is the way to go. You can
|> replicate all of this EXACTLY as it appears and functions on your
|> present system with one exeception, namely that because of its more
|> complex hierarchal setup due to its intended use as a business OS,
|> you have to dig a little deeper into the W2K Explorer file tree to
|> access your personal data but to a large degree this can be
|> mitigated as well. In all the time I have been using it, I have
|> never experienced a BSOD. It is still supported, but if you're
|> basing an OS choice on this criteria, then you most likely want to
|> avoid any OS from a company relies on monopoly-induced phased
|> obsolescence to keep up its income stream.
|>
|> An additional advantage: all your 98 programs will install
|> successfully, and I daresay work better, on W2K than 98. I
|> reinstalled Office 97, no problem. And Paint Shop Pro 7, which I've
|> used for a long time, will not even install on XP.
|
| Wow, that is a big surprise to me. I wonder why not? Maybe it
| doesn't recognize the newer operating system, so its installer balks?
|
|> But there are significant negatives. The big on for me is that W2K/XP
|> is the Great Divide in Windows hardware compatibility (obviously
|> XP/Vista is an even bigger one for most folks). For example most of
|> the better MP3 units have associated software only installable on XP
|> or later.
|
| But the older apps are still ok (at least for me). (Admitedly it's
| getting hard to find newer stuff that is Win98 compatible).
|
| It also sounds like you weren't too impressed with XP.
|
|> So you have to
|> think in terms of things like keeping spare print heads around and
|> such. Another downer is that WGA is required for Windows Update (not
|> too big a deal in this instance, however - since the OS itself
|> doesn't require activation you won't be on the phone pleading with a
|> twenty year old kid to revalidate your operating system).
|
| WGA?? It's to verify that you have bonafide system files, before
| allowing any updates to them, I presume? (haven't used the
| Windows Update thing in ages anyway)
|
|> One final thing about W2K, setting it up
|> is considerably more difficult, but it's not rocket science, and the
|> microsoft.public.win2000.general newsgroup is excellent for this,
|> with a decided lack of extra chromosome types posting there.
|>
|> If you want to move on to something different and modern, rather
|> than try and replicate what you now have, and you don't mind getting
|> fleeced, than I'd suggest a Mac. I used an OSX laptop for about two
|> weeks and had to resort to the Help system maybe once. IMO, it's a
|> highly intuitive, beautifully executed piece of software.
|>
|> Good luck.
|
| Thanks.
| At this point, I'm not doing much of anything, because I still haven't
| convinced myself that I *have to*. And - I really don't want to
| have to deal with TWO computer systems, (AND keep track of all the
| data files between them), unless I get a bit more worried.
Nah, nah-- don't worry! You & I, Colorado, must be the last surviving
Win98 user-- just as thanatoid is of Win95B! And I doubt he's as
suicidal as he claims to be!
| Everything I want, I have, anyways, so maybe I was just overreacting.
Absolutely! Be content-- as you always have been!
| But the idea that in the not-too-distant future, little will be
| available except Vista and Vista compatible systems (for also
| handling some multimedia work)... is a bit horrific)
|
| Maybe at that point (assuming the computer dies), one should consider
| Linux - LOL. Or as you say W2K.
They'll always be something new! Vista isn't the last one!
--
Thanks or Good Luck,
There may be humor in this post, and,
Naturally, you will not sue,
Should things get worse after this,
PCR
pcrrcp@netzero.net