Windows ME - OS for beginners! (Advice for First Time Computer Users)

Member Name: ohowson

Product:	Advice for First Time Computer Users
Date:	29/07/01 (149 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Fast, Stable, Simple

Disadvantages: Expensive, Big, Microsoft

In my time, Ive used every form of Windows, from version 3.1 through to ME, in professional, educational, and personal areas. And what have I found? Instability and bugs! However, after using Windows Millenium Edition for a few months, I have to admit Im impressed. Below are a few points why I think that ME is possibly the ideal Operating System for computer beginners.

(*) Stability - I am THE GOD at crashing computers. Unix? Not a problem! Linux? Crashed more than i crash my bike! So stability is a big import to me. ME is better (IMHO) than previous editions in two main ways. First, I have experienced a lot less blue screen of death type crashes than my Windows 98 days. Secondly, recovery. When I got the blue screen on Win98, I knew that a reboot was needed. WinME regularly recovers safely from exceptions. Fantastic!

(*) Boot-Up - By the time I'd used it a while, Windows 98 ended up taking about 3 to 5 minutes to get up and running! A clean installation on the same PC (Athlon 700) of ME booted up in ust 15 seconds. Even now, well worn in, boot up time is only 30-45 seconds. Fantastic!

(*) Speed - I've noticed, on average performance, a general speed increase in between 50 and 500 percent. This is covering areas from games through program compilation via office work to rendering and image manipulation. Cant be a bad thing!

(*) Simplicity - One of the main questions asked me by new computer users is "How do I..." Well, ME makes it simple. Everything you need to do is named intelligently, and easy to find. Things not used by users are hidden. This happens in two ways. Folders which newbies dont need are hidden from view, with the simple option of turning them on (eg C:\Windows\) and start menu items that arent used for a period of time are hidden, with an arrow to see them again. And the help files, for the first time in Microsoft's history, are useful, and actually sort out problems! They're prettier as we
ll :)

(*) Games - ME has all the traditional games, plus new ones, plus on-line games. Fantastic, more ways to waste time constructively! Watch it though, they're addictive!

Well, I think that about wraps it up. There is too much to list, but I hope this has persuaded you to try ME, and with a bit of wandering around Im sure you'll learn to love it. As a note, my version is only a late Beta (pre-release) so hopefully you'll find that your version is EVEN BETTER!

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