Windows XP

Well, we have been living the Windows "XPerience" around here for the past week. We aren't sure if it stands for XPerience, or Xtra Patience! :-) Without going into extreme techie detail, here is my run-down of the new product. We have developed a decided 'love/hate' relationship with it.

If you are working at home, or have a home network, the Home Version is just fine. I have one copy of the Home Version, and one of the Professional Version. While I like the Proffesional Version a bit more, it is hardly worth the cost difference for most casual users.

If you happen to have a wireless antennae connection to the Internet like we do BEWARE!!! Windows XP seems to cause havoc with some of these systems. Please touch base with your IP coordinator before proceeding. I got all the bugs worked out, but it was luck and hard work.

The layout has a very nice feel (although my son thinks it looks a bit "Fisher-Priceish") Personally, I love it. The fade feature you will see as you click on things is VERY slick and gives the whole experience a nice feel.

If you enjoy listening to music on your computer, or burning CD's you will want this program...YESTERDAY! I can't believe how much easier using a CD burner is now! Fans of digital movie editing will also like the new (very simple to use!) Movie Maker included with XP.

You CAN NOT install this on more than one system without purchasing a networkable, or separate copies.....so don't even try it!

Networking is a relative piece of cake! We were able to remove all of the networking software, Internet sharing software etc. and click a few buttons to connect our two computers.

Those used to viewing network connections from one computer to the other by just "seeing" the other hard drive will find all of the "shared documents" folders a bit confusing for a few minutes. I think I'm finally getting the hang of it. The fact that each user can have their own desktop and leave programs running is wonderful. Leave a document open and you can come right back to it. You can set up as many users as you need for your family. This also keeps kiddies from getting their paws on your Quickbooks Desktop icon!

Some of my software will not run on XP, but very little. A few other programs, like Age of Empires will require re-installation. In general you will not find problems with your existing software, but be prepared for the eventuality that something will need an upgrade, or a few pieces won't like this new environment.

All in all I think Microsoft was too fast getting this OS out on the market. There WILL be upgrades and patches, so be prepared. On the other hand, it is an upgrade you will WANT to make. The interface is much more intuitive, and computer users will find their productivity improved. Just starting out on the computer? Just learn Windows XP. There are more differences between XP and previous versions than we saw in other upgrades. This is almost a "Windows 3.1 to Windows 98" type of upgrade. Jump on, but be prepared for a bit of a bumpy ride the first six months.