Software Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition [Old Version]
Rating:  -
I can't even begin to tell you how much I love Windows XP. Why? Because when people used to have computer problems with Windows 95,98, and ME, I was always first on everyone's list to come fix their computer problems. It was fun at first, but then I was really sick of it. When XP came out, I recommended to all those people to get XP. Now, NO ONE has called me since with a computer problem. That shows you how wonderful this operating system is. XP is not perfect; but it works well enough to keep the average computer user happy with the condition of their computer. It is virtually idiot proof and it is very difficult to 'mess it up'. The system restore function is a big plus. Also, Windows XP keeps your system files from being corrupted by viruses by not allowing unauthorized access to the files. I'm not saying that it's virus-proof, but much more secure than previous Windows versions. The only downside to XP is that some computer games don't seem to work good with it unless they were made compatible with XP.
Rating: -
Microsoft finally got it right with Windows XP (Home Edition). Based upon the highly reliable Windows NT, XP is a stable, reliable, and thoroughly functional operating system that cures most of the flaws that earlier versions of Windows are known for.
First and foremost, the "Blue Screen of Death" is gone! I run XP on three computers in my home via a home network, and I have literally never seen the dreaded Blue Screen. While both Windows 98 (which I thought was a pretty good OS) and Windows ME (horrible!!!) require frequent re-booting, XP does not. You can go weeks, even months, without rebooting XP. It is stable and reliable.
Speaking of home networks, XP Home Edition does a very good job if you want to set up a peer-to-peer network in your home. We run one notebook (via a wireless connection base station hub) and two desktops via XP, and you can literally set something like this up in less than an hour, counting hardware hookups. The Networking Wizard actually works, and takes almost all of the pain out of setting up a network. If you want a peer-to-peer home network, XP is for you.
One warning--XP does not support a domain (server) network. If you are interested in this sort of configuration you want Windows Professional Edition. You cannot use XP for this.
Windows XP is well-supported as regards various peripheral devices. When I upgraded, I had no difficulty downloading the necessary drivers for my three printers, one scanner, and various other devices. Most worked OK out of the box, but upgraded drivers are available from most vendors via the internet.
Speaking of the Internet, XP is truly dependent upon the Internet, and I would imagine that a user without Internet access would find XP very difficult to use. XP is among the new generation of software of which Internet access is an integral design assumption. The OS uses the Internet to register itself, obtain updates, and obtain drivers. This is reflective of a trend whereby in my opinion every computer installation will in a very real way have as its centerpiece the Internet connection of the user. Dial-up's days are numbered too--XP files, like most files nowadays, are simply too large for a 56K dial-up modem.
In my opinion Microsoft hit a home run with Windows XP, almost enough to cause me to forgive them for Windows ME, which was absolutely awful. If you are using ME, RUN, don't walk, to upgrade.
Rating: -
Little background on me-- I love my computer, and I put a lot of money into it to ensure that it has the adequate specifications to run my applications. More importantly, I NEED my computer for everything it can do. This includes word-processing, Internet, home-networking, gaming, etc. Needless to say, there are many instances when I have a lot of programs running at the same time.
Several years ago, before the time of XP, I was torn between the two current Microsoft operating systems for PC. The choices were Windows 98 Second Addition and Windows 2000 Professional.
Windows 98 was fair for gaming and networking, however it had much-vaunted stability and lacked useful features. In other words, it would lock up if I had more than two applications running at the same time. After becoming fed up with '98, I switched to Windows 2000 Professional. I was impressed by the user-friendly interface, as well as its stability. However, it was incompatible with some Windows 98-based applications, and it was terrible for running games and networking with computers that were running older operating systems.
Well, for those of you who haven't gotten bored and moved on to a different review, here's what it all boils down to: Windows XP combines the pros of Windows 2000 and 98, while eliminating the cons. It also offers a cool new XP skin. If you're a skittish upgrader from Windows 98, you can depend on it being compatible with any of your old applications, also. Moreover, there are so many new and cool features that I can't even begin to start listing them.
My point? Whether you're a techie or just plain computer-illiterate, you will love Windows XP for your own reason. Professionals agree: Windows XP is the way to go.
Rating:  -
I'm reminded of the children's rhyme, with XP: when it is good, it is very, very good - but when it is bad, it is horrid.
It's straightforward, fast and reliable, but here the compliments end. According to documentation received, it's provided with "a full set of drivers". Improbable, I thought, and I was right. It's rejected one of my peripherals after another - including those of the same brand name as the CPU itself, and including a scanner (HP) supposedly compatible with XP. An expensive helpline was mystified, and the problem remains unsolved. For three days, I had to shut the PC down manually. My cordless keyboard and mouse combination partly works - the keyboard, but not the mouse. Try to download drivers at your own expense: it can be slow, and some appear not to exist, including Iomega Zip drives (100 Mb).
I like what does work - but far more should work, and with far less difficulty. The conclusion: XP was released too soon and hopelessly incomplete. But that a new PC had it preinstalled, I'm not sure I'd have bothered. Thanks for almost nothing, Microsoft.
Rating:  -
I admit it... I was happy with Windows 98 but then someone stole our computer. The replacement came with Windows XP motto "we think you want things this way, so don't try to do what you want, we know best". If you're a newby you might be happy with this approach, but XP has sucked up hours of time trying to be whipped into line so that it does what I want, in the way that I want it.
For example:
- it's incompatible with ZoneAlarm firewall. Every time Windows updates, Outlook Express permissions on ZoneAlarm have to be reconfigured or you don't get email. 98 didn't have this problem.
- useful programs that I use on my Start Menu disappear if I don't use them. So items used (say) monthly have to be hunted down, requiring more mouse clicks. This is an irritating functionality.
- the Help function is crippled by comparison to 98, unless you are willing to go onto the internet. With phone-line dial-in, this is irritating.
- there is little guidance on setting up Identities for a new user of identities, and some programs will register and operate under some identities but not under others (unless you buy two copies of the program). This means more mouse clicks, or duplicate configuration.
- it assumes you want all of microsoft's products to operate for you. In truth I want Word and Excel to never ever go on the internet, and I never want HTML or Word files to be my basic email mode.
- it assumes that only Windows Media Player is the soundware of choice.
- it takes a long time to close down, to the point where you assume it has failed to shut down. Advice: don't CTRL ALT DEL. Just wait even longer.
Those are the negatives. In sum, XP behaves like a giant bundled amorphous mass, and trying to configure to prevent certain chunks from behaving in an aggressive fashion will take you much time and effort.
However it is relatively stable compared with Windows 98, and most of the configuration can be achieved in time.
On these grounds, and given that 98 is no longer supported, it can be recommended.
Martin
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