What OS would you use ?

[MichaelD]

I'm going to tread lightly in these dangerous waters (this thread)but here's my $.02.

99% of users on this forum use W2K in some form. It's a very stable system, but for gaming it is not as good as 98SE. I've looked at benchmarks and read reviews; for GAMING 98 is superior.

If you aren't a big gamer, where FPS means everything to you, then this isn't an issue at all. For office apps/photoshop/music editing/you get the idea, W2K is superior.

"W2K runs my games just fine......most of them anyway" is a typical comment you'll hear. "Well my XYZ game runs....just sometimes without sound or only in 800x600" is another. I, for one, will not play a game at all if I can't get 100% of what I paid for. That is why I'm still running 98. For the limited amount of picture editing and CD creating I do, it's just fine.

Security? Well, I have a hardware router for that. Security? I'm the only one in my house, have a BIOS password and a screen saver pword...just in case I leave the house w/the computer on...etc.

My $.02. ***Dons flameproof suit, booties, scarf and briefcase***

 

[Scootin159]

Dual boot: win2k for work, win98 for play.

 

[MichaelD]

Uh, or you could just dual-boot. Like Scootin159 AND others have said.

 

[PliotronX]

I am in love with Win2k Pro.

 

[Dufusyte]

OSR2. All the other OS's will hog half your memory, which will hamper your photoshop since you only have 256.

If people need to dual boot, it means their OS cannot do everything they want (hence they have to boot to a different OS). Dual-booting is a sign that neither OS is good. I run OSR2: it does everything I need (games, apps, stable!) and I do not need to dual boot.

OSR2 forever. Every OS since then has been "emperor's new clothes."

 

[MichaelD]

OMG...I feel stupid, but, what is OSR2? I honestly don't know. I know what Linux is...but not this. (BTW, I know how to SPELL Linux...but not much else )

 

[HansXP]

<< OSR2. All the other OS's will hog half your memory, which will hamper your photoshop since you only have 256.

If people need to dual boot, it means their OS cannot do everything they want (hence they have to boot to a different OS). Dual-booting is a sign that neither OS is good. I run OSR2: it does everything I need (games, apps, stable!) and I do not need to dual boot.

OSR2 forever. Every OS since then has been &quot;emperor's new clothes.&quot; >>



I assume you're talking about Windows 95 service release 2? If so, I have to say: you're nuts.

98/Me has better compatibility with new programs (ie Office XP won't run on 95, neither will the latest versions of Media Player). 98/Me has full USB support (95 OSR2 has crappy support for SOME devices). USB support these days is a MUST.
NT/2K are much more stable than 9x could ever be, and like 98/Me, and have full USB support.

 

[Guilty]

OSR2 is Windows 95B. Windows 95C is basically Windows 98, so many consider 95B to be the peak of 9X. The theory that windows peaked then is untrue in my opinion, there are some actual advantages to the updates that Microsoft provides. Windows 98SE, correctly setup and tweaked, is the best platform currently, in my opinion. For compatability, development, and performance, NT/2K just hasnt surpassed it yet. The reason for this is that vendors are not under any pressure to support 2K, virtually all OEM PC's sold are with WinME or maybe 98SE. However since Microsoft doesnt plan to extend 9X any further (thats what they said after 98SE though, and look at ME) XP will have to be supported, and 2K thereby. So after XP is out I expect to upgrade eventually, but for now 98SE is my choice for my gaming and development needs. Perfectly stable since the 686B bug was fixed I might add.

 

[damocles]

Win2k Pro

It offers everything i need, especially stability

 

[damocles]

Whats the difference between a corporate copy ?

Corporate copies often have the serial numbers already entered in the boxes. Hence all you need is the CD whihc makes them easier to copy and distribute

 

[MichaelD]

Thanks, Guilty; I appreciate the detailed response! **sniffle...I love this place!**

 

[NikPreviousAcct]

here's another vote for win2k as long as you have 256Megs RAM or more

 

[So]

I concur, Win2k is definitely the best way to go, and if you dual boot, I think you will find that you virtually never use 98 after a few weeks, I have found only a few pieces of software that have problems, and they are ususally buggy - even under 98. It is really worth it for the stability (as long as you have no hardware conflicts :disgust:.)