NT5 [you may know it as Windows 2000]

[Calum Morrell <calum@xxxxxxx>]

OK, here's my viewpoint to add to the general topic.

First of all, I may come across as a Linux person since I generally take
it's side in arguments. Not the case. I will use any hardware, os and
software required to perform the task.

I have used
- every version of windows since 3.1
- several different versions of Linux spanning the last 8 years
- bsd
- other posix 2.1 based unix-like operating systems
- os2
- os9 [nothing to do with IBM, over 25 years old]
- VMS
- OS400
- Novell Netware 3.1.1 onwards
- Mac os from version 3?? [i think]
- BEos from v4
- AmigaDos from workbench 1.3
- Atari GTOS [can't remember versions]
- NEXT
and I know I've forgotten some.

At the mo I'm an NT Server Technical Specialist with IBM Global Services
[at least until the 6th of December]. Although I am prejudiced against
Microsoft it's simply because they refuse to take the consumer seriously
and continue to provide overpriced unacceptably buggy software. I'm not
suggesting all software can be expected to be bug free, but there are
areas in a commercial os that MUST by definition be stable and secure.
Microsoft continually fails to insure that this is the case.

Is NT5 stable?? erm ... no! Crash the IP stack and you risk a total
system failure, the best you will get is an automatic restart - i.e. the
machine switches off and on again with no user intervention, this is not
the same as selecting restart from the shutdown menu, it's instant. I
can crash NT5 VERY easily on even a well specced system with a good
build. It is far more stable than any 3.x or 9x os but less so than NT4
with sp3 and far less so than NT3.51, which I consider to be the best
version where stability rules over features.

It also comes down to technical ability. It is far easier to create and
maintain a usable build of any Windows version than even the best Linux
distro currently available. The reason is simple, people know Windows
and gradual education and experimenting will shift that.

To all the people who use Windows, don't move to Linux! Not untill you
have experimented, built and tested many distos and are confident that
you have a vague idea what you are doing. Never move to a new platform
of version of os simply because it exists, that's expensive and
unnecessary. Use what works and what you know, I see no reason to create
stress by moving to something that will not aid you in the long run. If
you have the resource [hd space, mem etc] then stick a build of Linux on
a spare bit of your HD and just play, I rebuild my machine completely
every couple of months, it's one of the best ways to know a product -
but only if that's what you want to do.

Sorry it's long and boring [again], but I do see a lack of objectivity
in a lot of comments -

"Better IMHO to be supplied with some wheels in the first place
(albeit
they need pumping up occasionally), than be supplied with a box
containing compost, some rubber plant seeds, and a FAQ."

Go buy a new car, when you only get two wheels three seats and the
steering stalk [but no wheel], tell me you're happy. And I can build a
Linux box faster than any Windows version [except 3.1] to a NEAR PERFECT
WORKING STANDARD [i.e. hardware installed and configure]. In the time it
takes me to install NT5, I can re-compile a new kernal for Linux with
only the options I need.

Anyone want to spot areas in this where I've been unobjective? You'll
probably succeed.

Shall I hide now or wait for the 'incoming' to sound?


Calum
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