What do you think about Windows XP?

XP was just a baby when I originally wrote this article, but times have changed. 

A lot of things have changed since March 2002.  My last update to this page was
back in 2004 and Microsoft was actively working on the next version of Windows
code named Longhorn.  I read an article that said if upgrading, they recommend
Windows XP Pro because you will get 2 to 3 years more service out of XP Professional.
However, according to Microsoft's website XP Pro and XP Home had the same
cut off date for Mainstream Support.  However, Microsoft has removed that page from
their website.

In fact, the original Longhorn website has now been closed down too!

I originally wrote here back in March of 2002 that I was not real impressed
with Windows XP mainly because of the limited uses it had with regard to
gaming applications.  It is not compatible with a lot of older PC video games
or older PC's.  I had some friends who bought the XP upgrade and then when
they went to install it - the installation failed due to older hardware that XP does
not support.

However, since then a lot of changes has taken place.  PC video game makers
have started releasing newer versions of their games that are XP compatible.
Also a lot of people are upgrading their older computers to faster Celeron or Pentium 4
type systems that boast newer motherboards, memory, and hardware alike.

Windows XP has a nice fresh look and has a shorter boot time than the older
Windows programs which seem to take days to boot up.  Moreover, it is excellent
for other applications such as surfing the Internet and using Office.

You might want to check out this site:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/home/howtobuy/upgrading/default.asp

What that site says is that you can always upgrade from Windows 2000 Professional
to Windows XP Professional.  Also you can upgrade from Windows XP Home to
Professional as your computing needs progress.  What Can't You Do?  You cannot
however upgrade from Windows 95 to Windows XP Home.  You would need to be
on Windows 98 or do a new install.

QUESTION: 
1.  What if I am stuck with Windows XP and want to get my old games to run?

That is a good question.  There is actually a Compatibility setting in
Windows XP that allows you to have the program run in a Windows 98/95
Compatibility and there are some other choices too.  In some cases it
works okay and in others it does not.

2.  So what ever happened with your Railroad Tycoon II Game (did not work on xp)?

Well James J. Hill bought up a bunch of railroads, made a fortune, build
this beautiful fortress of a house on Summit Avenue in St. Paul, built a few
bridges and then gave all his money away.  Unfortunately, the State of Minnesota
has been unable to manage people's hard earned tax paying dollars and is
considering canceling tours and closing down the house until they figure out
plan B.  (Oh and actually, RR Tycoon has released RRT 3 that is xp compatible).