FWIW, I maintained W98SE on one of my computers specifically because I used FrontPage2000 which required Microsoft's Personal Web Server to run in tandem so that Preview mode would work for FP. When ME (the ultimate "home user" version as opposed to the more professional W2K) failed to support the PWS, maintaining a copy of 98 seemed to be the only option ... other than buying a new version of FP along w/ a new version of Windows.

I think part of the objection to moving along with the newer Windows versions is that it may also impose the need to jettison some other perfectly good software as well ... making the cost of XP greater than just the sticker price on that particular box. Certainly, XP does not support any of my touchpad software ... I'm assuming here that Cirque and Microsoft could not come to a (possibly financial) agreement on getting drivers for the touchpad software updated ... certainly, I can't find anyway to make the touchpad fully-functional in XP ... another reason to keep 98 alive, so I can use all my graphics software on a machine that supports the proper tool (touchpad rather than mouse) for graphics work.

So ... it isn't ONLY the activation issue for some of us who maintain the older OS.

I agree w/ Aaron's point about other s/w imposing as much or more "big brotherness" on their users....I think ReBirth was a major example of that and way before MS got to the activation stage w/ Windows.

well ... thank you all very much for your opinions.
i am very sad to hear that mm will no longer support systems below xp.

here's my choice on how to handle this whole situation:

i will NOT buy xp ... instead i try to have a copy of mm pro 5 from ... hhhmmm ... don't know yet ... ebay maybe or you mixmeister people would be finally so nice and put the "old" version back on again for the users who doesn't like microsoft for whatever reason

if i need a nice-looking, well-working os: i will stick to linux or mac os.

that's it for now ... i will have a look somewhen again. right now i have to say i am a little disappointed and also i am sorry to have made this whole windows 2000 / xp discussion going again.

i don't have any problems with activation software ... i DO have one with XP ... i don't like it and never will ... this is just my personal feeling ... nothing else ... and seriously: it is indeed a little hard for me to understand, why almost all modern software runs under both systems (2000 and xp that is) but yours won't.

maybe you could somehow clarify the technical aspects of this decision for me ...

thank you anyway for your replies and sorry again for my bad english

DocDance

quote:

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DocDance Said:
maybe you could somehow clarify the technical aspects of this decision for me ...

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Here's what Aaron said previously....

quote:

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MM_Aaron said:
Choosing which operating systems to support is always a hard choice.
Our rule of thumb has been that we support the most modern configuration(s) looking three years back. Specifically, a new machine purchased three years ago would come with Windows XP, since it was released in 2001.

Cutting support for Windows 98, ME, and 2000 allowed us to do a number of things. Here is a short list off the top of my head:
1) Add support for hardware controllers.
2) Reduce the number of machine/video/audio configurations we needed to debug and test.
3) Reduce the size of our download.
4) Overhaul the UI to support the more modern, XP look

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As we get closer to "Longhorn's" release (Microsoft's next Windows iteration) you'll begin to see less and less support for older versions of Windows...including W2K (Eventually they'll replace that as well....that's their goal). I realize that Win 98 SE is a pretty stable OS, but there really isn't much wrong with XP (and nevermind how it looks...you can easily change that). Anybody running WinME, I seriously advice them to upgrade to XP...ME is a disastrously unstable platform...a total joke.

No disrespect or insensitivity is meant to any of the Hold-outs...but, times change and so does Technology...we have to change with it...or would many of you still like to be using DOS (or even Windows 3.1 for that matter ). For those customers who are still satisfied with MMPro5, I say stick with it until you truly feel that an upgrade is truly justtifiable in your eyes (especially those wanting to play with the video features..if you read the posts on the videodrome you'll understand why)...wait for version 7 if you can....then you'll truly see the difference (anybody who's jumped from MM3 or 4 straight to 6 will know what I mean).

I too felt like most here...but I eventually went the XP route...and i'm not looking back.

Be well my brethren....

Microsoft started with the activation to prevent illegal copying. It's not a big brother mess at all. You may even have a dozen pirated software applications on disk and activation will still cause no problem..but be carefull with the latest microsoft software.

I rather wouldkeep an eye on spyware and virus activity then on the activation.

A friend of mine just had his soundcard changed and had to reactivate MS Office.

Perhaps if I buy a new Fridge, then my oven will refuse to start up??

I'd say if you have a security system in your home and you change a kitchen window, are you not goint to replace the security sensor?

---JET

Depends if the security sensor is connected to the old window, or just nearby...

Perhaps if product activation was created by Red Hat or Apple instead of Microsoft people wouldn't be so bothered about it...