Computer programs and OS monopoly ?

KidD01 · Post by **KidD01** » Sat Sep 15, 2001 8:44 am

I happen to read a review regarding Windows XP. To be frank, I'm not a big fan of Microsoft myself - But the problem is Netscape 5.0 performance under win98 SE is slower than IE 5.5 also other progs

Anyway this is some lay down I've read about win XP :

The Upside :

As stable as the Rock of Gibraltar - or at least not nearly as crash prone as previous ersion of windows; all users of a single PC have to log in to their customized desktop; simpler and easier to use than old Windows.

XP is really the first easay to use, built from scratch OS for PC users. It narrows the ain't computing fun gap with the Macintosh platforms.

The Downside :

- you also have to register online or by phone to activate XP, and the messages on the task bar are forever bugging you to sign up for Passport, the company's controversial online wallet system - it's a little too creepy.

The installation took an hour unlike previous upgrades, you actually have to sti there for most of it answering questions. Also you can install XP only on one machine. If you have other PCs you will need to buy more copies.

I was running with network before installing XP. But after I upgraded to XP's hoem network, my connection to the Net disappeared. I had to spend 90 minutes on the phone with Microsoft's pros untangling the thing - a courtesy that civillians won't get

A number of prgrams didn't work - from Microsoft's competitors. The AOL connection refused to recognise the cable modem and try to connect via phone line, something Microsoft says AOL will "fix" in it's forthcoming 7.0 release. Liquid audio, a popular music player had the dubious distinction causing my machine to gag. And Java progs now require you to find, download and install a special piece of software.

Well, Is this sounds like monopoly in its' purest ?

[ 09-15-2001: Message edited by: KidD01 ]

Shadow Sandrock · Post by **Shadow Sandrock** » Sat Sep 15, 2001 5:49 pm

Bleeeh. Yuck.

Sailor Saturn · Post by **Sailor Saturn** » Sat Sep 15, 2001 6:28 pm

<STRONG>Also you can install XP only on one machine. If you have other PCs you will need to buy more copies.</STRONG>

The guy my dad talked to at Gateway said that you can install it on other computers without having to buy more copies. Because my dad's comp has Windows Me, Gateway gave him a voucher that allows him to get Windows XP for $10 because it is supposed to be a heckuva lot better.

The guy that runs our local ISP said that Windows XP allows you to only download one free thing from each "category" that they've set up, then you have to pay money to Microsoft. If what this guy said is true, I definitely don't want Windows XP. I'm happy with Windows 98SE.

Where did you read this review, KidD? If it was online, could you post a link to it? If it wasn't online and isn't too long, would you possibly have the time to type it all up and post it? I'd really like to read the entire review.

KidD01 · Post by **KidD01** » Sat Sep 15, 2001 11:56 pm

@SS : Actually I get it from magazine version but you can read it also [url="http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1101010917-174208,00.html"]here[/url]

BTW Win98 SE also crash a lot if you install and uninstall a lot

Sailor Saturn · Post by **Sailor Saturn** » Sun Sep 16, 2001 7:57 am

Originally posted by KidD01:
<STRONG>@SS : Actually I get it from magazine version but you can read it also [url="http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1101010917-174208,00.html"]here[/url]

BTW Win98 SE also crash a lot if you install and uninstall a lot </STRONG>

Thanks, KidD.

Actually, Windows 98SE is on my laptop and I only have Windows 98 on my desktop. I've been trying to figure out how to upgrade my desktop to Windows 98SE. I think it is better than Win98. After reading that article, I think I'd rather just put up with the crashes. I'm used to'em by now.