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just to clarify, ME and 98 are compleatly different for many reasons, but mostly because ME re-configures itself everytime it boots. This is why so many people have spontanious problems with software on their systems. It was designed for bill gates wife and people like her. Stay far away from it.
you could always use PGP or some sort of encryption program if you wanted to keep your stuff to yourself. although with the DCMA and all the other silly laws out now, pgp may be illegal soon, if it isn't already.
http://pgp.com/products/windows/
you could also "hide" the files. not very secure, but it'll keep people from finding them from within explorer.
or you could do both.
there is also physical security. lock the door, or get a computer case that locks. I used to work in retail, and people would make some of the strangest requests involving keeping their kids off of the computer. Some companies even make desks that having locking computer cabs, so you could turn it off and lock the cab. another fun one is leaving the computer on all the time, and having the screen saver require a password, and also put a user password in your bios settings. just some suggestions....
The main problem with WinME was that MS used it as a beta test for some of the new features that they were experimenting with, like system restore for example, which doesn't work properly in WinME.Quote:
Originally posted here by cross
just to clarify, ME and 98 are compleatly different for many reasons, but mostly because ME re-configures itself everytime it boots. This is why so many people have spontanious problems with software on their systems. It was designed for bill gates wife and people like her. Stay far away from it.
The way Win ME manages memory is also completely cr*p - memory leaks abound, and the only solution is to reboot :mad:
To give MS some credit, they did learn from this beta, and items like system restore work well in WinXP, although you might want to tweak the default settings (using 10% of your HDD for checkpoints seems excessive to me).
And redhawk14506, don't forget you can run more than one OS on your PC.
So if you want to stick with Windows you can get an XP upgrade (not that expensive), and/or try out some *nix OS's, using a dual boot option. There have been threads posted here about this or just look on google as to the best way of doing this - depends a bit on what flavour of *nix and Windows you wish to run.
The operating system that is best for you depends on you, and only you. I like all others agree that MS Windows ME is not a good choice in operating systems based on its unstability in even the most calm environments.
Windows 98 is the best for games due to compatability.
Windows 98 is also a good choice for graphics and/or sound production/editing, though MAC OS really does the trick in this category.
Windows XP is Great when it comes to user seperation and interaction, security, and stability.
Windows XP will have trouble with some games, though you can make use of its advanced run options to fake a windows 98/85/ME environment to make some programs run that might have otherwise not because of OS detection in intalling programs.
Linux is most definately the winner in the security/stability category. When first installed, there are a few problems in some popular distrobutions but these can easily be configured into a secure, fast, and reliable PC.
My recommendation would be Windows XP in your case. It really does have great user seperation, and no the other users cant look at your files. Check it out really.
Can I just point out I have ME @ Home for games it work's fine, ppl who have problems with ME or either stupid and think it secure, or have a shite system. True ME is not a secure system and for a good replacement M$ O/S I would choose W2K or for newbies XP. *nix is good if u like total system control.
I have even installed ME 4 friends and they have no problems I TOTALLY DISAGREE with ppl saying ME is the worse O/S. It was Windows 95 OSR 1.
Just an idea for OS options. I am running a dual boot now of XP/Red Hat. The reason being is that I would love to learn linux and see it as the next step in my devolpment but understand that it is a very complex OS. So I keep XP on here in case something happens or even if I need to do something in a hurry. I would say to try it yourself. Just pick whatever *nix you like and your flavor of M$ (but I have to agree with the general concensus here and say check out NT or XP)
hjack