RAT FARTS!!! We are switching from 2K to XP!

[JPS]

I just found out at work that we are goimng to all be getting new workstations. That is great - the crap side of the deal is that they are all being built on Windows XP (Now everything Sucks). They will also ALL be identical in terms of software and profiles. They are taking away our individualism - CRAPPOLA!

I am fearing that XP kinda sucks - I have only tried it once and I felt like I was using something designed for preschoolers! ARe my fears valid?

Any tips for keeping my sanity once I haveto release W2K and migrate to XP?

 

[btvillarin]

Actually, I've found it very similar to Win2K after you turn off all the eye candy (which I did). I don't need all those big buttons and stuff. I don't think it sucks (especially since I got an activated one already ), and it's been very reliable. I've been going days at a time without reboot, and it hasn't crashed on me or anything. As long as all the drivers and software aren't cheezy and up-to-date, I think you'll find it just as good (if not, better) as Windows 2000.

 

[JPS]

the new laws are being laid down by our CEO. He wants to be able to walk into anyone's office and turn on their computer and have it look identical to his.

I am looking for serious ammo against XP. We have had 2K for only 1 year now and the CEO is convinced that the newest the version the better - no matter what.

 

[Gooberlx2]

How big of a company? I use XP and I like it quite a bit. But the fact remains it's basically the same thing. (though it does do certain things faster)

It's not enough of a difference to put all the $$$ into upgrading all the workstations at a business, I can tell you that.

 

[Nothinman]

He wants to be able to walk into anyone's office and turn on their computer and have it look identical to his.

So tell him to get his admin off his ass and getting mandatory or roaming profiles running, it's not that hard and they don't need XP.

 

[Warblad13]

<< Actually, I've found it very similar to Win2K after you turn off all the eye candy (which I did). I don't need all those big buttons and stuff. I don't think it sucks (especially since I got an activated one already ), and it's been very reliable. I've been going days at a time without reboot, and it hasn't crashed on me or anything. As long as all the drivers and software aren't cheezy and up-to-date, I think you'll find it just as good (if not, better) as Windows 2000. >>

 

[owensdj]

XP is actually Windows NT 5.1, just like Windows 2000 is actually Windows NT 5.0. XP isn't the next operating system in the Windows 95/98/ME line, fortunately. If you like Windows 2000, you'll probably like XP. The only disadvantage for you I see is that Win2K has been around long enough to have 2 Service Packs to fix the bugs in the original release.

 

[SUOrangeman]

Dual boot, anyone?

-SUO

 

[Nothinman]

Dual boot, anyone?

That would last real long. If the CEO says you have to run XP you don't have a whole lot of choice.

 

[Mitzi]

A really stupid, totally unrelated question...

In the UK our big main managers are called MDs (Managing Directors) what does CEO stand for?

*puts on flame retardent suit...*

 

[Woodie]

Chief Executive Officer....see also Chief Information Officer, who usually heads up Information Systems (formerly known as Data Processing)

--Woodie

 

[Mitzi]

Cheers for the heads up!

 

[CQuinn]

Somewhat agreed with Nothinman, what you need is to get with the Admin
and have them set up a roaming profile for the boss and anyone else that
would need one. Then get them to set up a separate user account for
you on your machine (if you can't do that yourself).

CEO walks in, turns on your machine, logs in, and gets his profile loaded
from the server, so all the machines look identical to his desktop.

If he is the PHB type who wants the machine to automagically start on a
a set desktop, without a specific log in, there should be a way to create a
"dummy" account that anyone can log into to give a standard company desktop.
And still allow you to switch over to your own personalized account if need
be.

If he is even beyond that, and just wants every machine to give him easy
access to corporate files; you don't need ammo against XP for that, just
dig out the corporate security policy and read that back to him. Make sure the
big guns in IT are around to back you up when you do though, and remember to
use big scary words like Virus, Hackers, Corporate Espionage, downtime
and Lost Revenue.

----
You seem to be against XP on principle, but once you get past/turn off the
bells and whistles, you are pretty much left with what you have in
Windows 2000. It has to be pretty much the same as current Window2000 clients
too, until XP Server is released.
There are some very good functional and user interface improvements
(beyond the pretty colors), driver updates, and I'm assuming,
all the things they got right from the W2K service packs are
already rolled in to this one.

And if the new hardware is up to snuff, the increase in performance/
productive work potential will more than make up for any momentary annoyance
you might have with changing over to a newer version of Windows.
I don't know if cost is a concern, since this is probably already rolled into
the cost of the new machines, and the CEO seems to think the company can afford
new purchases right now.

 

[CTho9305]

<< the new laws are being laid down by our CEO. He wants to be able to walk into anyone's office and turn on their computer and have it look identical to his.

I am looking for serious ammo against XP. We have had 2K for only 1 year now and the CEO is convinced that the newest the version the better - no matter what. >>



what a moron! (the CEO, not you) anyway, I second (third?) the recommendation that you talk about setting up roaming profiles. I personally like XP a lot (I have mine looking like win2k with prettier icons). I also dislike the preschooler look. For some reason my roommate likes it

edit: clarified who I was calling a moron