Which operating system is the best?

[Louisiana Night]

I don't like any Mac OS. Most of the hardware I like to use, doesn't work on them. I also don't like their CPUs(slow).

[Jeysie]

Hmm, maybe that wasn't Open With, but Send To... anyway, I know I had to use TweakUI for this in Win95.  I can't remember if I could do this in Win98.  I know that even if I chose a different program in the Open With dialog box, it wouldn't remember unless I forced it to Always use this program to open this file type.  

Ahh. Send To's harder to tweak, in the sense that, all you have to do is stick shortcuts in the folder C->Windows->SendTo, *but* you have to create the right path in the shortcut.

With file types, I just set everything up directly... you open any file folder, and choose view->options->file types and tweak away. If I have a file that needs the "Open with" dialogue, I usually want to keep it unassigned (for one reason or another).

Helpful note to anyone who needs it: When you put the program path in the "Application used to perform action" box, put "%1" after it. Like, you'd have:

"C:\Program Files\Accessories\Wordpad.exe" "%1"

That keeps Windows from tripping up on directory names with spaces.

Just something to keep in mind if you still use 98 for anything.

And thanks for putting up with telling me all this info, it's good stuff to know.

Peace & Luv, Liz

[Louisiana Night]

Okay, thanks. Sorry about the message.

[Yonkey]

(I actually sort of skipped over DOS, jumping from a C-128/64 straight to a Win95 PC.)

You missed out on Win 3.1 and 3.11 too?    I loved that Windows!  It was like one big Start menu!  

[Jeysie]

You missed out on Win 3.1 and 3.11 too?    I loved that Windows!  It was like one big Start menu!  

Hee! Well, I didn't totally miss out on it... when I first met Harrison and started hanging out with him, he owned a 486 with Windows 3.11 on it. (In fact, he *still* owns it after all this time. Although it's definitely on its last legs at this point. ) The first time I got a look at it, I was like, "Wow, cool! It's like a cooler version of GEOS!" To which he replied, "What the hell is GEOS?" Then he got me addicted to Scorched Earth, but that's a whole other story.

Actually, I kind of like Windows 3.11, for what it is/was... I miss the lack of a right-click menu, but that's mostly it.

Peace & Luv, Liz

[Louisiana Night]

You never have to use the command line if you don't want to, in Linux. It will just limit(slightly) what you are capable of doing with it. Besides, when I was learning to use the command line, I stopped the graphical interface(not on purpose). It took me days to figure out what I did, and how to fix it. I've lost count of how many computers I've crashed, learning how to use them.

I never used 3.11, but I thought 3.1 was great.

Something fun to do with Windows. Replace the beggining graphics(when Windows is loading). I'd have trouble explaining it, let me see if I can find a link.

[Yonkey]

The Windows boot-up screen?  Hehe, yeah I know a lot of people did this,  I usually left mine intact though.  

Also, I can't remember the difference between 3.1 and 3.11, besides 3.11 was called "Windows for Workgroups".  I guess it had more networking capabilities?  I never had the Internet back then anyway, so it was never taken adventage of.

[racx_00]

Ok i know that i have to get a new Windows soon and i have a few options but i dont know which is best

Should i dual boot with XP and 98se, just use XP, or get ME

[dew7]

For some reason I liked Windows 3.1 better than Windows 3.11 but I am not sure why.  MS-DOS ruled  and I remember thinking that DOS 5 was cool because I love the power that a text-based interface can give you.  Windows XP only has an emulator -- no true MS-DOS like 98SE.  I love the ability to type my commands.  I plan to learn about editing the Windows registry and more about autoexec.bat and config.sys.  I am stuck in the Windows 98 Second Edition time warp.  LOL  BTW, I think the Linux threat played a crucial role in why Microsoft decided to continue to support 98, 98SE and ME until at least 30 June 2006.  The official line was to help support third world countries.  IMO, this is a great pr line.  I cannot find a better operating system than 98SE that lets me have most of true MS-DOS (some commands have been removed since the last MS-DOS which I think was 6.22)  while running old school games and will let me run most new hardware, most new software and almost all if not all the new games.  :> LOL  -- 98SE rules but I certainly will have to try Linux --- can you suggest the cd where I can try it out safely without messing up my PC.  BTW, TweakUI although not supported by Microsoft is a great utility for removing the Windows splash screen.  This is one topic that I do not want locked so please keep your tempers down and no politics or religion or anything else that will cause this thread to be locked and thanks for starting this thread.

[racx_00]

Well i dont know if i should spend $350 on XP Pro or $200 on XP Home

[Drunken Chinchilla]

Dont bother with professional, especially not for $150 extra. Just get home it does the job and unless you want to play loads of old games I wouldn't even bother with the 98 dual boot.

[Yonkey]

Yeah, there's not much difference between Pro and Home.  So I say dual boot with 98SE and XP Home.  

[dew7]

Runs to Jeysie's defense of Windows 98SE edition.
This operating system rules --- here's why:

1. True MS-DOS and great backwards compatibility for old games
2. 98SE supports USB 2.0 -- 98 does not
3. Better Gaming with 98SE
4. To achieve full modern hardware and software support you must dual boot with 98SE and XP Pro. -- Microsoft has forced me and many of my friends into this corner by having two different lines of code ---
NT which is NT 4.0, 2000, XP Pro/Home, Windows Server 2003
5. Everybody who thinks the NT code is secure --- ha, ha, ha --- biggest Microsoft lie around -- see following website on vulnerabilities and when it is hacked only 9x users, Unix/Linux users and Apple users will be safe

http://eeye.com/html/research/upcoming/index.html

http://eeye.com/html/research/upcoming/20031007.html

http://eeye.com/html/research/upcoming/20040318.html

(this one shows how the NT source code at its base is less secure than 9x no matter what people tell you)

Also see this in how IBM computers are now vulnerable to hackers:

http://eeye.com/html/research/upcoming/20040220.html

Still feel safe with NT (New Technology -- originally called Not There by Microsoft employees in the history books of Microsoft because they knew that the 9x code was better)

Also, you can have a machine that is off-line to be really safe.  Just make sure you check all cds, floppies, usb drives, etc. that are not brand new and have been given or sold to you.  Better yet just use new computer stuff in this computer and do not even think of trying to share mp3s.  This certainly limits your use of the computer but at least it should be mostly safe. LOL and many people think NT is secure -- I also suggest you read 1984 by George Orwell because it will help you to put things into perspective and not be too trusting of anyone.
Also, see this page about Microsoft support of 98, 98SE and ME and please everyone especially grundy do not make assumptions about pcs unless you really know what you are talking about.  In this case I am referring to the remaining lifeline of 9x.  No disrepect grundy -- I am just passionate about the truth in all things especially with computers

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;[LN];LifeAn1

Help your security needs by getting the free Windows Update Security cd and thanks Microsoft for realizing that NT is not secure yet and extending lifesupport for 98SE because Microsoft realizes that the XP MS-DOS Emulator cannot run all old MS-DOS games like 98SE can run many more -- 98SE you have the option of exiting to true MS-DOS mode and not false MS-DOS mode which exists in XP and other NT based operating systems.  Alright, my raving about 98SE is over for now and feel free to edit this post if I inadvertently offended grundy too much and I am sorry about that but pc software and especially security needs is my passion in life LOL

http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/cd/order.asp

[dew7]

The 9x code has 95, 98, 98SE and ME and btw grundy 98,98SE and ME are supported until 30 June 2006 with critical security updates at the Windows Update site.  95 is not supported anymore because it is too old.  There is a lot to be said for MS-DOS 6.22 and I may include that in my computer as well and have a tri-boot of MS-DOS 6.22, 98SE and XP Professional.  It is a good thing that I am into security and protecting my computer and am not a hacker because with a little more study I could really cause problems on people's pcs if I really had the mind and motivation too.  Don't worry I am on the side of keeping a PC safe.  Now, if only we could go on the offensive and start shutting hacker's computers down then I would think that is really awesome.  Don't even get me started on the problems with ME because this operating system failed with many different types of hardware.  It was an insult to the 9x code because you had to use a boot disk to get into MS-DOS.  I think Microsoft was hoping to migrate 9x users onto one platform of NT because they wanted to save money by having one line of code which makes hackers lives easier because now they only have to focus on breaking into NT based systems because the market for 9x is almost all consumer and it is no longer the latest or greatest thing and this can be a good thing sometimes.
Latest Statistics that I know (may be wrong about this)
1. Windows XP Home/Pro.
2. Windows 2000
3. Windows 98 and 98SE (Yeah I fall into this group 98SE and soon to be 98SE/XP Professional which goes to show that I am not totally against NT but sometimes you just need 9x too)
Finally, remember I started out with an IBM PCjr which I still have and my dad teaching me how to program in the BASIC language --- high technology -- LOL -- 16 color ega graphics card with three sounds at once built in internal speaker --- those were the days -- okay now I plan to hook up my IBM PCjr and play old games
(Also, had keyboard which you could unplug and put in two double AA batteries and it would work -- no software to muck about with unlike today's wireless keyboards which need software drivers)  Ah!, yes those were the days and easier times
10 cls (clear screen :>)
20 sound on
30 octave ... etc.  you get the idea        

[dew7]

I agree with you Neil and would say that it is fine to dual-boot with 98SE and XP Home unless you really need the few extra features of XP Professional which I don't think too many people need.  Neil, why do you think Microsoft has forced so many people to dual-boot their pcs in order to have full backwards compatibility and full forwards compatibility while making it difficult and somewhat expensive to obtain 98SE which is really popular.  The supply and demand theory is trying to be reversed by Microsoft by not having a fully updated 98SE cd for the masses who want it.  Gary Terhune -- 9x MVP is 98 general newsgroup mentioned how Microsoft is under some legal obligations not to release any more 9x or NT licenses.  Do you know anything more about this?  

[racx_00]

Dont bother with professional, especially not for $150 extra. Just get home it does the job and unless you want to play loads of old games I wouldn't even bother with the 98 dual boot.

Well most of the old games i play have been remade for XP , because i have bought them in Collector sets and stuff , so no problems there

Yeah, there's not much difference between Pro and Home.  So I say dual boot with 98SE and XP Home.  

Yes i will definitely Dual boot then , but before i dual boot i will have to work out how to do it properly

[racx_00]

My favourite windows is Windows 3.1 , the first computer i ever got had 3.1 and i loved it , unfortunately though i cant find any copies of 3.1

BTW my friend heard that Windows 98se will only be supported until 2005 now

[Storm]

Here's a cheap way of getting XP(almost any version).

Get a copy of a friend's CD, then buy your own CD-key.

Wouldn't that be just as illegal as using your friend's CD-key?

[Louisiana Night]

No.

You don't have to pay for the CDs, manuals, tech support, etc.

If you don't need any of that stuff, just buy a CD-key(the right to use the product on a single machine).

[Yonkey]

Neil, why do you think Microsoft has forced so many people to dual-boot their pcs in order to have full backwards compatibility and full forwards compatibility while making it difficult and somewhat expensive to obtain 98SE which is really popular.  

I think they made the ability to dual-boot because they didn't want people using third party tools (i.e. Partition Magic, System Commander, etc) to dual-boot.  However, the ability to dual-boot existed since Win2k.  At install, XP asks if you would like to Upgrade or to perform a New Installation.  If you choose upgrade, you obviously won't have the ability to dual-boot.