Not really sure exactly where this should go, but I’m puttin’ it here.
I’ve been hearing a lot of grumbling from people inside and outside the computer industry about Windows XP. Apparently, those who’ve seen the beta version (Whistler), seem to think that XP is gonna royally suck big time. Any thoughts out there as to what it XP’s going to be like. If half the rumors I’ve heard are true, my next machine will either be a Mac or Linux based (or I’ll run Win98 on it.)
What version of Windows has not debuted to these sorts of rumors?
Here’s the synopsis of CNet’s review:
One thing I learned: Denial-of-service hackers are licking their chops over the new system. Windows XP fully implements UNIX sockets for network access, which enhances anonimity and spoofing. Windows sockets used in the 9x series can be filtered if they were used in DOS attack, Unix sockets-based attacks are not so easily filtered. The proliferation of Windows ironically enough prevented DOS attacks from becoming much worse and debilitating to the Internet community. The switch to UNIX controls remove that barrier for the DOS vandals, and could mean huge trouble for the rest of us. Source: Thomas Gibson and his being a victim to a DOS attack.
I’m on the Windows XP Beta Build 2462 OS.
Most Beta testers I’ve conferred with are describing this as the best Windows OS ever. The ONLY problem people are disagreeing with is the product activation, and that is only because they don’t fully understand it.
A good site to check out is Paul Thurrots Windows Supersite. You should be able to find a lot of information concerning Windows XP, as well as in-depth articles about product activation.
If anybody has questions concerning the performance of XP Beta, just post them here and I’ll handle them as best I can.
Note: XP is still in Beta stages. It has bugs, and slows down a lot, and many features are missing or incomplete. I’m getting Release Candidates 1 and 2 in the next couple months, so I’ll be able to update information once I receive those.
damn link. Here is a fixed link:
Microsoft originally intended Windows 98 to be the very last release of the DOS-core Windows lineage. Windows 2000, which is essentially Windows NT 5.0, was supposed to become the only PC operating system line supported by Microsoft. Obviously, that didn’t happen. The huge system resource requirements of Windows 2000 over and above Windows 98, coupled with the fact that Windows NT-based O/S’s just aren’t as good for playing video games on as Windows/DOS-based O/S’s, meant that Microsoft had to release “just one more” DOS-core version of Windows (which they called Windows millennium edition, or M.E.).
Windows XP (codenamed Whistler) takes up even more RAM and hard-disk space than Windows 2000 does. There’s no way it’s going to get any penetration into the current market niche that Windows 95/98/ME occupies.
Incidentally, this message is being written on a Dell Poweredge 2200 running Windows 2000 Advanced Server. I got it as part of my MSDN subscription.
Windows XP exists solely to serve the goals of Microsoft and the Wintel plutocracy. It is intended to:
Here are some notable “improvements” in Windows XP:
Deliberate degrading of mp3 software, to force people to use WMF. WMF files are now locked to the CPU, if you create them on one CPU, they will not play on any other CPU.
Egregious copy protection. Want to upgrade your CPU? You’ll need Microsoft’s permission, and a new registration code.
P2P. P2P is billed as a great improvement for consumer privacy on the web. It is exactly the opposite. Microsoft has created a web infrastructure to make it possible for websites to prohibit access unless you provide personal information. Internet Explorer will provide this information in the background without you being aware of it. Your personal information will be bought and sold courtesy of P2P, and if you don’t like it, tough.
Microsoft Bob. Yes, Bob has returned as a standard component of Windows XP. Forget the paper clip, the Dog is now your most annoying “friend.”
Smart Tags. Internet Explorer will now retag all websites with links to MSN.com sites. The web has been assimilated, resistance is futile.
Are you starting to get the idea?
Eh. Windows XP Beta was running just fine on my PIII-450 with 192 MB of RAM. Hardly an up-to-date system, if you ask me.
Will XP work on every system? No. Microsoft isn’t even pushing XP as upgrade material. They’re primarily interested in having XP released on new systems.
What I really like about XP is that any additional RAM you have will increase system performance, unlike previous versions of Windows which only utilize 256 MB of RAM or less. Win XP can support up to 4 GB of RAM, which is more than adequate for the current market MS is targeting.
BTW, Windows XP is getting rid of NT/2000 and 98/ME. It combines both their roles into one OS, and does it quite admirably.
Chase.E, cites please. If you make claims, back them up.
Incorrect. Windows Media Player cannot rip MP3’s witha quality greater than 56 kbps. However, EVERY OTHER MP3 encoder can encode any quality MP3. Further, a very simple registry tweak will allow you to rip MP3’s with 192 kbps quality in WMP.
Incorrect. I’ve done this and played WMF on 4 other computers in my house. Nice lock to CPU.
Partly correct, but described in an incorrect, fear mongering way. Use of the adjective “egregious” is very inaccurate.
Maybe so, but I have not seen Bob anywhere. Has not popped up once, has not annoyed me at all. If that’s the case, it’s not a problem (Not to mention that he is easily disabled).
Smart tags? Where might I find these? I haven’t seen a single “smart tag”.
Yes, I’m getting the idea that you have no clue what the hell you’re talking about.
Maybe you should stop drinking BillG’s koolaid and start looking around at what is really going on.
Forced Upgrades:
The Truth about Redmond’s Win-XP signed driver plans
XP uses “signed drivers” and many people will feel forced to upgrade to use the officially supported devices and drivers.
Actually, you did catch me making one incorrect statement. I said that the primary goal of WinXP was to force CPU upgrades. I was incorrect. The primary goal of XP is to force CPU AND OS upgrades, it is a method to force large corporations to upgrade all MS products (not just XP) against their will.
MS licensing switch to trigger mass upgrade to Win2k, WinXP?
WMP problems:
MS Plans ‘Secure PC’ that won’t copy pirated audio files
It won’t copy legal self-created audio files either. If you want to record an mp3 of yourself singing Happy Birthday and email it to your sister, you won’t be able to do it without purchasing a media key from MS. Note that you probably haven’t seen these features as they were only activated in the most recent RC. As far as register tweaks, MS is notorious for making it as difficult as possible to use anything but their own programs.
Bob:
Microsoft reanimates Bob to cover missing Windows features
Egregious registration requirements:
No More Mr. Nice WinXP: the Beast emerges as RC1 looms
WinXP: product activation, updates, and control freakery
P3P privacy problems:
Gates talks big on small IE6 cookie move
MS’s Smart Tags assimilate the web:
Smart Tags due in Win-XP Browser
He has the friggin’ program. What part of that do you not understand?
Stop spreading your paranoid, Illuminati-fearing ignorance and learn a thing or two, will ya?
He obviously has an old leaked beta that does not have XP’s current feature set. Why is it that all the other reviewers know about these features but he doesn’t? Perhaps it is because those reviewers are REAL beta testers with access to the latest official builds, rather than 1337 haX0rs with dodgy pirated software?
As far as your personal insults, you bore me. This isn’t the Pit so lose the attitude. Disprove me with facts, attitude don’t mean squat.
I did not get a “leaked” beta. I officially have XP preview build 2462. I will be getting Release Candidate 1 this month, and RC2 sometime after that. The current version is 2481. 2481 is NOT released to the general public, it is released to software and hardware developers to start writing code and drivers.
Oh, as for your cite: Did you even READ any of those articles? I did. Every single one of them was based on SUPPOSITION.
Wrong. The copy he has came straight from Microsoft itself. “Old leaked Beta”… baloney.
Maybe your “source” for this info on XP is simply incorrect.
Do those reviewers have the latest Beta copy to work off of?
Yup. It’s pirated. Microsoft has decided to pirate their own software.
You know nothing on this matter, Chas. You have no accurate information. Your sources are biased and not based on factual evidence. In short, you are wrong.
Please indicate where I hurled personal insults at you. I labeled the information you have posted as ignorant and incorrect… please explain either A: how that is a personal insult, or B: that your information is accurate.
I should clarify this. Whenever the articles would get into “With this technology, MS could do such and such and take over your mind, then the world!!”, that is based on supposition.
I’ve heard many things about how it has remote computer controls built in, like PCAnywhere. All I know is that even if this feature is fifty thousand times more secure than Outlook is, was, or will be, it will still be a script kiddie’s wonderland. Good God, I can only imagine the shit they’ll come up with to play around with this feature. And can you say security holes? Outlook should have proven to the world that MS isn’t interested in the least in providing adequate privacy and security.
“Money money money money, MUN-EEEY!”
–Tim
I am gratified to see that Monster104 has the courtesy to admit that his beta is obsolete and does not reflect the current 2481 beta, which is substantially different than his build, and more closely reflects the final release product. Build 2481 has many changes, such as the removal of some GUI gadgetry, copy protection is enabled for the first time, mp3 encoding totally disabled, IE6b with P3P & Smart Tags, Bob, etc.
Every one of the articles I cited from The Register is 100% accurate. They are all based on hands-on accounts, from REAL computer experts. The Register articles may seem biased when pulled out of context, but I assure you, The Reg is not biased, they hate everyone equally. I believe that the reportage of an internationally respected IT website is more accurate than the rants of random SDMB users.
I have no intention of debating this issue further with people who are not in posession of the facts, and can come up with no response other than “it’s all supposition.” Please let me know when you get the current 2481 build (or higher) and then maybe you’ll have something to debate. Until then, I have no use for your bad attitudes.
:rolleyes:
Chas.E, I know full well why you will not pay attention to anything I post. You disregard what I post SIMPLY because you refuse to believe that a young adult could have any “real world experience”.
We’ll see how accurate those articles are when I get RC1 later this month.
And, I’m still waiting for you to apologize for our last go-around, and I’m expecting an apology for acusing me of being a software pirate, when you know NOTHING about me.
No apologies are warranted. Are you going to stalk me on this board whenever I post on a computer thread? Get over yourself.
:rolleyes:
So, I guess I was right to ignore your blathering in other threads. Might as well do it here, as well.