Windows 2000 is doomed!

[E_tron]

Microsoft has upgraded Windows 2000's update system (from version 4 to version 6). Now it is identical to the update system microsoft rolled out for windows XP last year (version 6). I reverted back to windows2000 when XP service pack 2 rolled out. SP2 enabled many features i disliked (like the NX bit , the annoying "security center," and who knows what else).

Now windows2000 is following the same course with the new look of windows update (remarkably similar to windowXP's security center) and the "Genuine Advantage Validation Tool." I had to activate windowsXP, but now i have to activate windows2000 every time i want to use an online service?

Im tired of microsoft wanting to know more about me. They got their money when i bought the OS. What more do they want; my soul?

i guess no one cares and everyone will embrace this gated community microsoft is forcing upon us.

[xilman]

Originally Posted by E_tron

Microsoft has upgraded Windows 2000's update system (from version 4 to version 6). Now it is identical to the update system microsoft rolled out for windows XP last year (version 6). I reverted back to windows2000 when XP service pack 2 rolled out. SP2 enabled many features i disliked (like the NX bit , the annoying "security center," and who knows what else).

Now windows2000 is following the same course with the new look of windows update (remarkably similar to windowXP's security center) and the "Genuine Advantage Validation Tool." I had to activate windowsXP, but now i have to activate windows2000 every time i want to use an online service?

Im tired of microsoft wanting to know more about me. They got their money when i bought the OS. What more do they want; my soul?

i guess no one cares and everyone will embrace this gated community microsoft is forcing upon us.

There are alternative operating systems you know.

Paul

[Cruelty]

Originally Posted by E_tron

Microsoft has upgraded Windows 2000's update system (from version 4 to version 6). Now it is identical to the update system microsoft rolled out for windows XP last year (version 6). I reverted back to windows2000 when XP service pack 2 rolled out. SP2 enabled many features i disliked (like the NX bit , the annoying "security center," and who knows what else).

You can always disable those unwanted features or don't bother about Windows Update service at all and stick to SP1...

Now windows2000 is following the same course with the new look of windows update (remarkably similar to windowXP's security center) and the "Genuine Advantage Validation Tool." I had to activate windowsXP, but now i have to activate windows2000 every time i want to use an online service?

You don't have to activate W2k, this validation tool is run once and you don't have to worry about it later.

Im tired of microsoft wanting to know more about me. They got their money when i bought the OS. What more do they want; my soul?

They are just assuming that most of the windows users haven't obtained their Windows copies legally, which BTW isn't far from being the truth...

i guess no one cares and everyone will embrace this gated community microsoft is forcing upon us.

I don't feel forced to anything, and you shouldn't either - if you don't like it switch to some other OS.

[OmbooHankvald]

Originally Posted by xilman

There are alternative operating systems you know.

Paul

I would love to go Linux but

a) I lack the harddisk space

b) I don't know how to install/configure and all that stuff (I'm studying it right now)

c) I don't know if I'll be able to do my homework from my Windows-addicted school

OH

[E_tron]

the learning curve is what keeps me from using linux as a desktop. I have an armada of software that makes my life on windows good enought to not switch. I can't throw it away.

[gribozavr]

If you are really thinking of migration to Linux, i will help you.

Originally Posted by OmbooHankvald

I would love to go Linux but

a) I lack the harddisk space

How much can you devote to linux?
<1G? that's OK for a not-very-new distro.
<2G? that's OK.

Originally Posted by OmbooHankvald

b) I don't know how to install/configure and all that stuff (I'm studying it right now)

You can always ask in the Linux subforum here. I have some electronic books for beginners, i can give links to anyone who asks me: gribozavr {at} gmail.com. The server is on my ADSL line with only 64kbit upload, that's why i don't provide links here.

Originally Posted by OmbooHankvald

c) I don't know if I'll be able to do my homework from my Windows-addicted school

What programs do you need? Are they accepting only .doc/.xls/.mdb/{.other ms fromat}?

[xilman]

Originally Posted by OmbooHankvald

I would love to go Linux but

a) I lack the harddisk space

How much do you love it? Enough to go out and buy another disk and install it in your machine? It's exceedingly difficult these days to purchase a disk which is too small to hold another operating system. Most new disks on sale are at least twenty times bigger than is needed.

Originally Posted by OmbooHankvald

]b) I don't know how to install/configure and all that stuff (I'm studying it right now)

Good! It is something which is definitely worth knowing, IMAO. Get yourself either a second disk, or a second machine (which could be an old relic which you scrounge from somewhere or purchase for next to nothing) and get some practical experience.

Originally Posted by OmbooHankvald

c) I don't know if I'll be able to do my homework from my Windows-addicted school

OH

Until just over a year ago I worked for Microsoft Research. I ran Linux and BSD at home and in the office. By and large I had no real problems interoperating though, of course, I had the great advantage of being provided with a Windows machine on my desk. It was used for company business but my home machines were (and still are) almost exclusively running Unix-like operating systems.

My advice is to give it a try. If you can pick up a second-hand machine to practice with, so much the better.


Paul