Is it possible to be a Very Happy Computer User? We are running Microsoft Windows, so there probably is no way to be Very Happy, but you can be a Happy Computer User.
To be a Happy Computer User the first thing you should do is throw what are called minimum system requirements out of the window.
This is what Microsoft says you need to run XP...
- PC with 300 megahertz or higher processor clock speed recommended; 233 MHz minimum required (single or dual processor system);* Intel Pentium/Celeron family, or AMD K6/Athlon/Duron family, or compatible processor recommended.
- 128 megabytes (MB) of RAM or higher recommended (64 MB minimum supported; may limit performance and some features)
- 1.5 gigabytes (GB) of available hard disk space*
- Super VGA (800 x 600) or higher-resolution video adapter and monitor
- CD-ROM or DVD drive
- Keyboard and Microsoft Mouse or compatible pointing device
The only two that are right are the last two, now let's take the others step by step.
- Didn't know you could find a 300 MHz anywhere but in a Museum.
A Happy Computer User will be running at least a 2 GHz machine.
- One Hundred Twenty Eight (128 MB) and possibly just 64 MB...what, just the OS takes that.
A Happy Computer User will be running at least 1 GB of RAM.
- Minumum of 1.5 GB of hard drive space free. I have graphic files larger than that.
A Happy Computer User will have a hard drive that runs at least 7200 RPM and large enough to store all of your programs and graphics with enough room to spare. A Happy Computer User will always have at least 15% of their hard drive space free and Defrag the drive at least every two weeks. If your drive fills up beyond the 15% free mark you buy a new hard drive.
- 4. 800 x 600 resolution...Corel will not even run on that, and if you are viewing this website you will have scroll at that resoltuion.
A Happy Computer User will have a Video Card with at least 128 MB using non-shared RAM and be running at 1024 X 768 Screen Resolution with 32 Bit Color or if you are a glutton for punishment strecth to the extreme like I do 1920x1200 (Reading glasses required, especially when you are my age)
Now that we have that out of the way, let's talk about XP Pro, XP Media Center and XP Home.
XP Home - hmmm, as the name applies, for home use. It is something you let your kids play games on and surf the Net.
XP Media Center - Glorified TV set, video recorder, media player, just like the name implies.
Now we get to XP Pro. You use your computer for your business to hopefully make you make you money. Your computer is a manufacturing machine which produces a product that you then sell. Would you use a TV set for that? What about a Game Boy or XBox. If you answered no to those questions, that is the reason Happy Computer Users run XP Pro.
...to be continued as long as I don't get beat up for saying the above...
