"...If you run Win2k, the reasons may be less compelling..."

Unless you're looking for Win9x compatability while using the NT kernel. What's not compelling about that? Sure, I dig Win2k, but it can be a pain in the rear when it comes to games and similar software, not to mention Win2k's hardware compatability.

WinXP is a gamers dream come true

"You mean that when a game crashes that it doesn't take your whole system down with it?"

...exactly

I asked that question before but no one answered. Win2k also has a "Compatibility Mode" tab. How is the XP one different?

Paxx, the Win2K compatibility relies on Microsoft releasing app compatibility hotfixes, I'm sure you've seen the list and download. In XP it's built right in and works like a dream,you can choose which version of Win to run the app as, see the other Upgrade ?? thread....

Frogboy: do you know VNC? It's free, it's tiny and it work like a charm. It's even cross-platform. You can connect from and to different Windows, Mac and/or Linux...
Oh and one thing that won't work under 2k is my Sidewinder joystick, from Microsoft. Funny, isn't it?

VNC is no where near as nice as what's built into XP. It's like comparing CGA to SVGA, the difference staggering.

I'm on WinXP RC1 right now, from a disc I got for attending the OfficeXP launch in Charlotte. Before that, I ran Win2k since the month before its release.

Win2k *did* have some compatibility issues for me (most notably the way it handled my USB DSL modem, which was to use a horrid piece of third-party software to manage the connection by fooling the program into thinking it was running under a different OS). So far, WinXP has given me no compatibility problems, save for the few that were easily fixed by running the Compatabilty Wizard and emulating (natively) an earlier MS OS.

Also, WinXP has a much smoother interface (even without all the "Luna" stuff). Draws seem to be much faster and smoother on XP than 2k, and the ClearType (a native font anti-aliasing that works on *all* sizes of fonts) is a wonderful thing once your eyes adjust to it. I use it on a 1280x1024 19" display, and it makes everything look so much better (I *hate* jaggies).

Working for a major retailer has its advantegs too, since I qualify to attend the WinXP Roadhsow from MS in September, where I'll get a free full-retail version of WinXP Pro. If it weren't for that, however, I would still be paying for an upgrade, since I love having the Win2k stability and the Win9x compatability and versatility all in one shiny pretty package.

Those of you who haven't had the opportunity to try it, I really can't tell you why it's so much better. But it is. This is the one that MS got right. There's a lot of fluff in it (almost of all of which can be turned off or ignored), but it's also chocked full of *useful* enhancements: Better Profile defining and usage, Remote Assistance (the tech's dream for customer support: just take control of their PC from your office, fix the problem while they watch, explaining each step as you go along so they won't have to bother you with the same problem again), excellent compatabilty and performance tweaks for games and other graphic-intensive apps, built in backup and recovery options that are both useful and easy-to-use, a better and more useful interface (even with Luna turned off), *intelligent and useful* wizars to complete almost every complicated internal task, better skinning support and enhanced APIs for more thorough customization, and the list goes on.

Is all this worth $200 or $300? IMHO, yes. But you shoudl decide for yourself (after evaluating it and giving it a fair shake before you pass judgement or boycott it based on anti-MS sentiment).

Tandis: how is it much better?
I switched from PCAnywhere to VNC for a few reasons: it does the same thing, it's fast, it's free under the GNU licence, and it's crossplatform. The only thin it doesn't do at the moment is file transfer, but I got an FTP server t take care of that.
Querstion: can you connect to non-XP machines with he remote desktop feature?

Just to add that I wave at both W2K Pro and Server series. Smooth icons, interface, and such are just candies to me. The important things to look at for an NT based OS is the Kernel: how secure is it and how does it ease support and administration? That's the questions we should care about. Interface concerns, etc. are for Win9x/ME. Still, on the gaming side, W2K is already a winner anyway. It took some times 'til we get fast and stable drivers but that day has now arrived.

Btw, I didn't meant to offense those who cares about eye candy. Just that personnaly I believe this shouldn't be a priority when talking about an enterprise OS. WinXP will try to close the gap between enterprise strenght/stability and the easy of use. And that's great! But the problem though is that I feel their strategy with WPA is not only some sort of intrusion in private life but also a bogus concept (again, take a look at the link on my previous post, you'll understand why I say that)

That was my 0,10$ CDN (0,06$ US) due to inflation since my previous post

Well, the chances are I'll upgrade to XP for the fun of it. Skinning sounds cool. BUT, I will probably revert to Win2k after a quick laugh. My system isn't exactly up to the best of modern standards, and Win2k does me fine. Barely a compatibility issue (my only problems lie with Creative SBLive! Software), and my games run fine.

And what's all this crap about 64-bit Operating Systems? IF you ask me, something that sounds like its capable of a lot requires a system which can handle it. I'm gonna earn some cash and purchase some box in the high giga range, both for processor speed and RAM. Means waiting a while, but who cares.

Then I would suggest a clean install of W2K, Sheen. NFTS shouldn't pose a problem when properly configured. Maybe you mess a bit too much with permissions. Hint: Never mess with System account permissions - can bring system to not reboot

For SBLive issue, I wonder what problem you have coz I own one and it works just fine with Win2K. Check on sblive.com to get the latest one.

juni - Minus 50 more points

I play games and while I may not play as many as others, there is only one game I've run across that won't run on Win2k, "BioForge." However, let it be known that this game was a problem even from plain DOS so I don't blame 2k one bit. WarZone2100, Doom, Quake and plenty of others all do just fine.

When I'm ready for a fresh install, I might (very small chance) consider XP. Perhaps by then I'll have lost the distaste I have from all the XP skin stuff that's been turning up.