I have a habit I need to break.... formatting...

[Tbirdkid]

Guys,
I have a very bad habit i need to break and I need suggestions. I have a nice machine that I built. It is in my sig. Now I have finally got it to tweak in with the overclocking and I am running at 200 fsb stable. So here is my issue. I dont like the way xp looks. I dont like the way windows 2000 looks. I dont like the way Linux is so hard to play games and do simple stuff. It is overcomplicated.
All I want is an os that will be easy to work with to print documents and stuff. Also, play a game now and then. I have an xbox so I dont really need a gamer. I want something easy to do simple tasks. Does anyone have a solution for me? Maybe Windows Xp Media Edition? I have gone from windows 3.11 all the way up to xp.
I get so tired of the way things look so much that I just format and start over. I know its dumb.... but I like alot of change. Can someone make suggestion for me?

 

[SpeedFreak03]

uhh well I think XP fits the bill best for you. Just play with themes every once and a while. I would defenitly recommend linux but since youve already tried it then thats out.

-Josh

 

[Tbirdkid]

I just dont like the way you need plug ins for everything under the sun in linux, at least Mandrake. Plus, my wife doesnt really know how to use linux. So i have to stay with a windows platform. I think your right about xp.
Can you even buy media edition in a store? Or do you have to get it with a pc?

 

[SpeedFreak03]

You gotta buy Media center with a PC. It isnt available any other (legal ) way. But my buddy has a media center PC, and it is just XP Pro with a "Media Center" program. There is nothing else different.

-Josh

 

[WobbleWobble]

StyleXP would make your computer nice and pretty

 

[RandalLovelace]

There are several sites for "skinning" Windows, including 98,XP,ME (all versions of those)....

If you like change try skinning it, when you get tired of the skin change it.

an example: http://themes.deviantart.com

Hope this helps.

 

[EeyoreX]

Can you even buy media edition in a store? Or do you have to get it with a pc?

You can not buy MCE seperately. Besides, it is no different than Windows XP. It is simply a superset of Windows XP Pro. If you want it too look different, MCE won't. As has been said, skins/themes are the way to go. Try StyleXP or WindowBlinds or some shell replacment program if you want to go way different.

\Dan

 

[Pakman117]

I know what you're talkin about. The solution I've found is to just skin WinXP, like many others have stated. Instead of buying styleXP, however, just go to this website and follow the "Auto-Patching Instructions". Make sure you download the "Multi-patcher v1.01" file, but do not install it just yet. Reboot into safe mode, install the file, reboot again, and wa-la, you can skin windows for free, w/o the aid of a program.

 

[rbV5]

I don't see the connection between your bad habit of formatting, and the look of the GUI. Personally, I don't spend much time staring at the desktop, so the GUI doesn't have a lot of impact on my experience. You sound like a MAC candidate, stuff is simple, looks pretty, not much of a gamer comparatively speaking.

 

[Kappo]

MAC or BeOS (I am not sure if they even still make BeOS) seem like they would be perfect for you. If you already have Windows and dont want that change...just get some themes for XP.

 

[slashDevSlashNull]

Sounds like you have already made up your mind and just wants to make your voice heard in the forums... You've ditched Linux and you've bought winXP (if you haven't pirated it... which is more likely...) and you're pretty satisfied with your computer hardware since your question is about changing OS and not going to Mac. What choice do you have?
There simply is no choice for you. Especially when your whife needs windows.
You will be using W, wheter you pretends to like it or not. Sorry...

 

[email836]

tbird

dos6.22 and win 3.1 is truly compact and simple to use.

good luck!

 

[Derango]

Originally posted by: Kappo
MAC or BeOS (I am not sure if they even still make BeOS) seem like they would be perfect for you. If you already have Windows and dont want that change...just get some themes for XP.

He said he doesn't like linux because it doesn't play his games...how is BeOS going to be any different there?

Be was bought by Palm a while back, so BeOS in its original form is no longer avalible. However, they're a bunch of BeOS Derivitives (most of which I can't think of right now ). The one I can think of is OpenBeOS which is still under active development. They don't have anything runnable yet though.

 

[yelo333]

I've gotta agree about dos 6.22/win 3.11(it's a mite more stable than 3.1)
it you want FAST boot times, go with that
I mean, my 1 gig hd/amd K5 pr133/32mb mem boots in like 12 seconds(from flipping the power switch, so post included) to windows 3.11
a windows only reboot only takes about 4 seconds

and, of course, it does look a lot different

and, maybe you don't want that because it is kind of old

 

[RandalLovelace]

Linux...

He he he,

Note to self: Remind self not to play games using WindowEmulation while running Linux.

Note to ALL: Linux plays games, it's simple actually, DUEL BOOT. Use the emulator, go to your Windows and play your games.

Randy

Duel Monitored, Duel Booting (Win98se - Linux Mandrake 6.0 Redhat) Maybe I should mention that both Vid cards have TV output (the nice S-Vid type..)

randallovelace@yahoo.com

 

[arsbanned]

Style XP. Have it change themes randomly?
I'm not sure how a Mac (MAC= Media Access Control address) will satisfy your desire for change. The Mac GUI is just as static as Windows XP, if not more so. Plus you would have to spend a LOT of money on new hardware.
Try a multi-boot arrangement with Windows, Linux (Redhat?) and BeOS. That should keep you happy for while.

 

[batmang]

you answered your own question with your replies.
just be smart, install winxp, install alot of themes,
and dont post about this again.