I like many things about Windows XP over Windows 98 SE. I like the way previews of the images show in folders when you browse through them. I like the fact that you choose an account name and a personal icon, though I never use more than one account and skip the startup user selection. It is neat that your icon and name show up in the start menu though. I’m not too crazy about the new look, I have my computer set up in the classic look.

The one thing that I don’t like too much is that many older programs don’t run too well in Windows XP. I’ve been using an IBM-compatible computer since I was a little girl on MS-DOS 3.3, so there are a lot of programs I would like to fire up for nostalgic reasons from time to time, but Windows XP won’t run them correctly, even in compatibility mode.

Though, it’s not too much of a complaint, as there are solutions. DOSbox runs most of the older programs under Windows XP, and it also solves the problem some older games have with speed issues on newer, faster computers. VDMSound also solves some of the problems with DOS programs run in Windows XP compatibility mode, such as the programs not playing any sound or music.

So, I’m happy with Windows XP, and with the solutions available my complaints are minor. It will probably be a while, if ever, until I switch to Windows Vista or it’s successor.