Hi Guys,
Couldn't resist commenting here.
For me a computer is a much needed tool - I don't really want it as my main hobby (though it has been an interest for years)
If you're going to stick (or be stuck with) MS operating systems here's my obsvervations for what they're worth.
I think the best that MS has is Windows 2000. Just load it, update with Service Pack 4, install a good virus scanner and keep it up to date, and run a firewall like Zone Alarm. It's very stable and well sorted out.
I have been through all the AWFUL stuff from MS: Windows 3.0, Windows 95, Windows ME... great but I was wearing out my keyboard with the "three finger salute".
I've tried XP but don't like it...
This installation of W2K is about as good as it gets from MS. The box I'm working with now has been on for about 40 days now without a restart. That's not uncommon with W2K.
I have another box with RedHat 9.0 on it and it's really good, shows Linux has come a long way. But there are still issues. A lot of the software I use on a regular basis for work doesn't have equivalents in the Linux world yet. And there are some funny non working items in the base OS.
I would love to see the day when a Linux distro really can do everything I need - I'll be switching - but not till then.
Just my less than 2 cents!
Ted.