Microsoft Windows2000 is the one truly superb O/S(Operating System) from the thugs at Microsoft. MS Win2K is primarily a network O/S, though it is just as good on Desktop systems.
Windows 2000(Win 2K from here on....I hate to type the entire thing, too lazy!)consists of 4 products: Win2k Server, Win2k Advanced Server, Win2k Professional (which is the most common product and which is generally used on desktop systems) and the Win2k Datacenter Server.
Lets delve deeper into Win2k Professional.
Win2k is designed for speed and security and brings a solid computing environment to desktop computers. No more hanging when we play Quake or Diablo, unlike
Win Win98 or ME.
The main features of Win2K, which make it the preferred O/S, are:
** Multitasking:
Multitasking is a mode of CPU operation whereby a computer can carry out more than one task at a time.
Why Multitasking is good? You can listen to R.D Burman on Winamp, while simultaneously downloading songs on audiogalaxy, and playing FIFA 2002 (This is generally what I do!!).
Now, if you try this on Win98, more often than not, you won't be able to do so. Windows will start acting, well, like windows! Funny questions will keep popping up in form of alerts, and the good old ALT-CTR-DEL thing comes into play. With Win2k, this is a breeze! With multitasking, the computer resources are equally divided. Multitasking is of two types...hang on, this is getting too technical. Lets leave it at that:
Fact: Multitasking is a good thing!
Fact: Only Win2K (and of course, now XP), support multitasking.
** Multithreading:
No, its got nothing to do with sewing!! A process, for example, printing, consists of many threads. Threads are basically a set of instructions, which carry out a process. For example, in the printing process, there are many threads. Thread 1 will ask the application (MS-Word)..Hey Dude, what is to be printed?
Thread 2 will take the pages to be printed to the print processer..and so on...
Now, since each process has many threads, how does the computer know which is more important? Or, which thread has the higher priority? In Win2K, the system prioritizes the threads....what this means is that multiple threads can be run simultaneously...this leads to a faster performance. In the older versions of Windows, threads used to run one by one.
Fact: Win2K supports Multithreading
Fact: Multithreading is very good!!
** Active Directory:
AD is the new control and administration mechanism of win2K. AD basically allows the user to manage all the user accounts on the machine. You can decide for yourself how has how much access to your computer. For e.g., I log on to my Computer as Administrator...this means that I have full access to all the files. I can set up guest accounts and decide who can access what files on my computer. Like my roommate Jessica, has her own log in. She logs on as Guest, and cannot see certain folders which I have blocked!! (I however, can see all her folders...hehehe....I am evil...but Jess is way more clever than me, she keeps all the interesting stuff on her floppy :()
Fact: AD is good!
Fact: Other windows O/S do not have this facility.
** Security:
Win2K incorporates a variety of security features, all of which share a common aim: to enable efficient, reliable control of access to all resources. The Win2K security features begin with a customary, protected log-on. These features extend to include memory protection(if Win2K senses that a particular process is taking too much memory, it will halt that process...this is a major security protection against virus and Trojans and also those pesky web sites that keep opening window after window!!)
In win2K, the hardware dependent code is fully isolated in the kernel...(I cant explain this more simply..just take my word for it, it's a darned good security feature!)
Win2K also has the Kerberos v5 authentication protocol..(Kerberos is used to authenticate the client with a server, for e.g, when you log on to your hotmail account or any other e-mail account, Kerberos will check to see if the host(hotmail) has security certification. only then will the connection be permitted.)
Fact: Win2K has a host a security features.
Fact: Other Win O/S do not even come close to them.
** Storage:
Win2K supports huge amounts of hard disk and memory space:
RAM: 4GB
Hard Disk: 2TB (it is Gigantic!!!!!!!)
** Connectivity:
Win2K supports a variety of networking protocols: AppleTalk, Data Link Control, NetBEUI, and of course, TCP/IP
Win2K is the only O/S which controls the hardware directly. Windows 98 etcetera, require access to the BIOS(Basic Input and Output System) to control the hardware. This gives win2K much more control over the hardware: it is easier to fix modem, printer, mouse, Soundcard, video card problems.
The only reason I don't recommend XP is that in XP, there is something known as the Hardware Compatibility List(HCL). The HCL lists all the hardware you have installed, their versions, everything, and sends this info to Microsoft without your knowledge. This is, unfortunately legal, and means that if you choose to change your sound card, for example, the new one has to be in the approved list of Microsoft, or you will have installation problems. This, as well as the privacy concern, is the only reason for not using XP. XP has all the features of Win2K, but no privacy. Big brother Microsoft knows everything.
Given these comparisons, Win2K is definitely the best O/S for home use. It is much much faster, has superb levels of security, and is a very safe and secure O/S, than compared to Win98 or ME.
So, the best O/S is by far Windows 2000 professional.
Comments and Brickbats awaited!
