Need help picking an OS for a school teacher. . .

[OS]

The choices are 98 SE, Me and 2K. This is for a school teacher who will probably run office and school proggies, nothing unexpected. The system is a gateway, P3 800, 256 MB, 15 gig hd, etc. What operating system should she get? I'm personally partial of course to 2k because of the NT kernel, but would like some feedback. Also, does Me and 98 utilize 256 megs of ram efficiently? Thanks.

 

[Viper GTS]

Get 2K unless you're worried about the cost, then ME.

Viper GTS

 

[OS]

Cost really isn't an issue for her. She's already said to me that she wants to keep hassles to a minimum. She's no computer wiz, but she's also definitely not computer illiterate. I'd say she's slightly above average (compared to people in general who use computers on a regular basis) in terms of computer literacy. So win2k is easy enough to use?

 

[Cable]

from what i hear, me does utilize 256 pretty good. i know that 98se doesn't make use of more than 128. os, id say win2k also.

 

[Viper GTS]

For what she'll be doing it should be just as easy as 98 or ME.

As for the 128/256/98SE issue, I can tell a difference between 128 & 256 on my P3 966 just in everyday use. The system feels more snappy, for lack of a better term.

Viper GTS

 

[Eli]

Yeah, i'd say Win2k. I'm sure she doesen't want to deal with any Win9x kernel ... whether she knows it or not..

 

[ucdnam]

I'd go with win2k. Less chance of it crashing over time and better security, if this comp is at the school.

 

[OS]

It's for her home/personal computer. Thanks guys.

 

[Viper GTS]

Even at home, stability is good. Security might not be important, but stability is.

Viper GTS

 

[troubledshooter]

There are 3 real OSes to consider:

win2k
98
MacOs

I am a life-long mac user who just switched to PC because of college major. I am quite happy really (in fact it matters not at all for general use) but I COULD NOT have made that change if I had to go to the MS 9x kernel. It is pathetic. It doesn't even deserve to be distributed.

Save her, and yourself (in fixing her problems) the time and energy, and get win2k. It is the best mainstream OS out there hands-down.

 

[reitz]

I've seen enough messed up WinME problems in the last two weeks to stay away from that OS for life.

If she's only using it for those simple tasks, I say go with Win2k. In her situation, I don't think hardware or software compatibility should really be an issue, and the extra stability will be worth it (IE5 crashed on me for the first time tonight in a month of running 2k). For the slightly computer literate, Win2k really isn't any different from Win98.

If cost is an issue, then go with Win98.

 

[xtreme2k]

i recommend win2000 to ANYONE who has a system with a 500MHz+ CPU and 128MB+ RAM

win2000 play MOST games well
only a few that dont work
so thatz not really a big problem

win2000 is SOOOOO MUCH MORE stable than win98(and winme is just about the same)
you can run win2000 for months without any forced system restart

 

[xtreme2k]

if cost is an issue

ask your friend for a CDR version of Win2000

 

[PowerJoe]

I'd also say Win2K, but only if you're capable enough to get around the security. For example:
- some progs require you log on as admin for installation
- For other comupters to see your network shares, you need to enable guest account access

-PJ

 

[xtreme2k]

if you are the only person using the comp

you would use Admin priority as your main user

so that fix the security issue

regardless of the security issue
win2k's security is 100x better than win9x

 

[Jonny]

Windows 2000!! Its by far the most stable. I even ran Windows 2000 with 128 for a while and it was not bad at all.

 

[arod]

For a school I might not jump to win2k so fast. Because If she has internet in the classroom (LAN) like many schools she wont be able to use the Administrator for her user. Because it will already be taken by the real administrator. Unless you want to set up another account that has administrator priveledges but i never do that beause if it gets screwed up your whole computer is screwed

 

[OS]

I mentioned earlier that this is for her personal/home computer, so she'll be the only user.

 

[arod]

Sorrry, I must have missed that. Then I would still go with ME. I have not had a single problem with it except it doesn't like norton antivirus 2000, need 2001. but if she has that much power win2k will work well. The only reason i wouldn't recommend 2k is if she were playing game s, because 2k truly SUCKS for games ( ive tried UT, ST:A, TRibes, Ground Control, and none of them work) but she isnt so that will work.

PS check microsofts website for hardware compadability. Many peroferals do not work with 2k yet (ie web cams, anyhting extra for ATI's, TV tuners etc.)

Also if she has a CD R she will probbly need to buy new burning software from adaptec ony the newest one works with win2k.

 

[kami]

Just a personal/home computer? ME is probably fine then. Doubt she'd take advantage of anything Win2k has to offer. I would still recommend Win2k over all of those listed OSes, though.

 

[OS]

I should mention that she's told that she won't be playing games on this system. Thanks again guys.

 

[Ausm]

Go With Win2K unless she runs Win 95/98 only apps..


Ausm

 

[Anibus]

W98 if she is new to computers.


W2000 if she knows how to:


Deal with Managing Users and Groups

Setting up User Accounts

Setting Security for Users and Groups

Creating User Profiles

File permissions and Folder Options

How Group Policy settings effect Folders

etc

 

[AMB]

I would say that Win ME is probably the best idea due to drive issues etc.

 

[ElFenix]

win 2k is best, its stable.