Firstly, and to avoid any confusion I will explain in brief terms what a service pack is and why it is necessary.
Whether it is down to bad testing, or a very limited time, Microsoft seem to have always had the problem of bringing out software before it was due. Example of this can be seen everywhere, and not just with the Operating Systems, in software as well, they always seem to leave programs half finished and add little bits and bobs back into them whenever the mood takes them. It is with this in mind that we see the complete necessity for service packs, they are basically updates en mass. Unless I am very much mistaken SP 2 was designed mainly to combat some security issues that had been found with the previous version of XP.
A problem arose with many people when they updated thier exsisting XP with this new service pack, which you could
pick up for free in magazines, or download. Problems lay because some programs that where designed with XP in mind were not flexible enough to cope with the changes that were made to the system when this new service pack was installed. The majority of problems I have heard about or encountered relate to the internet, alot of ISP programs did not seem to like the new settings, and of course with no connection, getting support for the problems was kinda tricky.
This is why Windows XP Home EditionService Pack 2 was introduced, it was a way to solve problems for people because if it was pre installed with XP than any configuration errors could not happen as nothing had previously been conflicted. (Try saying that 5 times when your drunk!!)
Anyway, enough of the background to the product, let me start my actual review.
INSTALLATION
Generally easy and far supreme to versions of windows that predate XP, seemed to me to be alot faster as well, although the newer spec of computer might account for this more than anything else. The addition of SP2 into the package did not slow down precedings at all.
GENERAL APPEARANCE
XP looks nice, the service pack has done nothing to touch this in any way, but yeah, it looks nice, very crisp and very clean and modern looking. The downside to this is that the settings are very processor hungry, they will slow down your computer more than you would imagine, on the plus side you can always change the settings to speed up the load time of windows.
FUNCTIONALITY
XP has deffinatly been designed for the computer illiterate. Everything has been dumbed down so most users now adays can claim to be experts, luckily again, Microsoft have thought ahead and allowed the user to revert to how Windows 98 looked and acted, which I find a real plus. It is important to note, that although windows is by no means the best operating system out there, it is the most popular, and this is important, as everything is made to work on windows, this adds alot to the functionality of the operating system as a whole.
SUPPORT
The one thing Microsoft does well in my opinion, is give support, that is not to say I haven't ever heard any Microsoft support horror stories, but my personal experiences with them have been pleasant, when you finally get talking to someone who can speak and understand English, they seem to be well informed and actually know about the product, something that amazing seems to be pretty sparse these days. As SP2 was Microsofts last big push in the public eye, support for this add-on is still widely availible and I think will be into the future.
IDEAL USERS
General PC users that just want to get on the net and maybe do some word processing every now and then, this is the operating system for you, it is stable enough (for what you are doing) and like I said, everything has to work with it.
Anyone who considers themselves a computer scientist would probably do well to stay away from windows as it is buggy and there are far better (and cheaper) operating systems out there.
I have clicked the recommend to potential buyers, because although I personally do not like it, I know why it has such a wide appeal.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003 - for PC - English - Quantity: 1 - 5 clients, 20 device CALs, 5 user CALs, 5 device CALs, 20 users CALs - CD-ROM
(+) Faster, good networking with other Windows machine, so far it has not crashed. (-) price, best to do a fresh install which will involve backup & restore of information
Good review - joe public should know that they can save a wad of cash by getting the OEM software (Other Equipment Manufacturer) which is available for around £60.00 from most suppliers if you buy any piece of hardware as well - if the comapny insists on the hardware purchase, I usually opt for a pack of PC screws for a few pence.
Tha-Flash 21.11.2005 18:59
It's pretty good XP. I use Home too but I have heard that Pro is supposed to be more secure... not sure though. Chris
sandemp 19.04.2005 13:26
I love using Windows XP, but am worried about all the security flaws in it, but there again the software I use wouldn't run on any other platform. Sandra. x
N09-02215 - Windows XP Home Edition gives you the freedom to experience more than you ever ... more
thought possible with your computer and the Internet. This is the operating system home users have been waiting for-because it offers serious stability, so you c...
Postage & Packaging: £0.00 Availability: 1-3 Working Days Depending on Service...
Advantages: Faster and better looking operating system that is easy to repair/resore Disadvantages: poor driver and software support, unsurity on security
Advantages: internet Explorer 6, Windows Media Player 8, More Reliable, Compatible with nearly everything, it looks and feels great, Totally Customizible Disadvantages: Costs around £75
Apr 15th, 2005
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