Date: Thu, 22 Dec 2005 12:05:11 -0500
To: WSFA members <WSFAlist at KeithLynch.net>, <WSFAlist at KeithLynch.net>
From: "Mike B." <omni at omniphile.com>
Subject: [WSFA] Re: Speaking of upgrades...[WSFA] Re: Odd events
Reply-To: WSFA members <WSFAlist at KeithLynch.net>

At 12/22/2005 11:21 AM, Michael Walsh wrote:
> > omni at omniphile.com 12/22/2005 10:54:46 AM >>>
>
> >
> >An "upgrade" is going from Win98 to Win2k.  I'm suggesting they go
> >to Linux.
>
>Earlier this year the JHU Press upgraded the last of the Windows 95
>machines to Windows XP.
>
>& no, the Press is not likely to go with Linux (there's enough culture
>class beween the Windows and Mac folks...).  But the new machines did
>come with Firefox installed.

It wasn't MicroSoft that installed it though...they still ship XP with IE only.

Don't change too much of your hardware at once or XP will refuse to run
until you get a permission slip from MicroSoft (XP's hated "anti-piracy"
system...the reason I'll never run it on a desktop.  It's on my laptop, but
I won't be changing the hardware on that).

Also, make sure you stay up to date with the service packs and security
patches...and that you have a good firewall.  The one with the first big
service pack for XP isn't bad from what I've seen...at least as far as
keeping the machine fairly safe goes (it's not all that flexible if your
needs aren't typical).  The folks at G4 Tech-TV put that setup on the
internet and asked their viewers (about 50 million worldwide they claim) to
beat on it and try to break in.  At the end of the show it was still doing
fine.

I bet your "upgrade" cost considerably more than going to Linux.  It's
tough to beat free... ;-)

-- Mike B.