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Read an interesting article from Bill Machrone of PC Magazine online, here's a partial quote:
First, Windows XP Home is essentially a downgrade from Windows 2000, gussied up with pretty icons and trimmed out with multimedia features that were mostly present in Windows Me. It is not a viable choice for most professional or laptop users. Though Windows XP's networking capabilities are the best yet, Windows XP Home Edition is deliberately crippled. It can't log on to Windows 2000 domains, which means that you probably can't use it at work—and may not be allowed to, since it can compromise the security of corporate networks.
Second, the Home version doesn't give you much that's new. The difference is that it's bundled in from Microsoft instead of another company. So instead of using the familiar Easy CD Creator, you burn your CDs from Windows Explorer. Does it have all the features you need? Probably not. Will it hurt the companies that make more complete products? Definitely.
Similarly, you can plug most any digital camera into a Windows XP–equipped system, and it will recognize the camera, download your pictures, help you edit them, and post them to a picture site. Are the tools as good as the ones bundled with the camera? You get the idea.
You also have to endure Microsoft's new, bundled-in, crass commercialism, as Windows XP invites you to go to the Web sites of Microsoft and Corbis (owned by Bill Gates) to buy pictures. Internet Explorer is always trying to drag you off to MSN and entice you to use Microsoft Messenger. I haven't seen such unenlightened self-interest since Disney bought ABC and started hyping its entertainment empire on what formerly was the news.
Though others laud the icons and pretty pictures, I merely find them distracting. Microsoft is mired in eyeball-think, convinced that it has to battle with AOL for the hearts and minds of computer users. The trouble is, they're fighting the battle on your computer screen and mine.
Second, the Home version doesn't give you much that's new. The difference is that it's bundled in from Microsoft instead of another company. So instead of using the familiar Easy CD Creator, you burn your CDs from Windows Explorer. Does it have all the features you need? Probably not. Will it hurt the companies that make more complete products? Definitely.
Similarly, you can plug most any digital camera into a Windows XP–equipped system, and it will recognize the camera, download your pictures, help you edit them, and post them to a picture site. Are the tools as good as the ones bundled with the camera? You get the idea.
You also have to endure Microsoft's new, bundled-in, crass commercialism, as Windows XP invites you to go to the Web sites of Microsoft and Corbis (owned by Bill Gates) to buy pictures. Internet Explorer is always trying to drag you off to MSN and entice you to use Microsoft Messenger. I haven't seen such unenlightened self-interest since Disney bought ABC and started hyping its entertainment empire on what formerly was the news.
Though others laud the icons and pretty pictures, I merely find them distracting. Microsoft is mired in eyeball-think, convinced that it has to battle with AOL for the hearts and minds of computer users. The trouble is, they're fighting the battle on your computer screen and mine.
While I've never used the Home version I'm quite happy with my pro version. Yes by default it is a bit to much J6P friendly with all its wizards but that can be changed with a few simple clicks of the mouse. I also have to question his attacks on the picture editing software etc. mickeysoft has always incl some sort of picture editor be it MS Paint or photo editor with office neither of which hurt the sales of Photo Shop for those users that wanted more control. And if XP casues anyone not to install EZ CD then good for them...its horrible software anyway
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