Beta
I've been a beta tester for Microsoft's Windows XP operating system since this past summer. That was for the Profession version of Windows XP, but they are pretty much the same with the Home Edition being a little more simplified, compatible with games, and a little less manageable for administrative needs. Anyways, I tell you I was a beta tester because after using Windows XP for about 6 months now, I love it. It is by far and away my favorite Microsoft operating system to date. Yes, even ahead of Windows 98 SE, which is generally regarded as the best one. XP takes getting used to, at first I really didn't like it that much and considered uninstalling it, but stick with it.

Home
I chose to the the Windows XP Home Edition over the Professional Edition for a few reasons. 1)I already had tried the Professional Edition from my beta testing, and found its extra administrative tools something I really didn't need. 2)Microsoft said games would be better supported by the Home edition then the Pro one, so being the gamer that I am, I naturally wanted the Home version. 3)It was 100 dollars cheaper, and I'm cheap. ($99 for the Home upgrade edition vs. $199 for the Pro upgrade)...(for the full editions home is $199 and pro is $299). 4)The Home Edition box was cooler, gotta love the green. 5)It suited my needs the best, I've always used the regular Windows operating systems (3.1, Windows 95, 98, Me), not the business ones (3.1 for Workgroups, Windows NT, Windows 2000) which is what Microsoft obviously made Windows XP Professional for (though many people I know are hesitant to switch from Windows 2000 after just upgrading to that).

What's So Special
Well the first thing that is different that you'll notice is the interface. It's still the same "Start" button in the lower left hand corner (if you have your computer set up like that, which I don't), only now it is green instead of the boring old grey. You can change to any of the three preset color settings Microsoft has included in XP, or revert back to the old "grey" looking start button and menus, if you don't like this new look. This new colorful approach is clearly Microsoft's response to Apple's flashy new OS X operating system, which is very cool by the way. Still, the upgrade to XP isn't just for looks, it's got some other perks you may care about such as vastly increased start up speed, especially from Windows 98, which I remember taking a tediously long time. Now with XP, when you hit your power button, depending on your system's speed, you are up and running in a matter of seconds.

I'm A User
Windows XP also allows you to create different accounts on your computer for the different members of your family, or whoever will be using the computer. So when the computer starts up, it takes you to the welcome screen which prompts you to select who you are by choosing the icon you selected when setting up your account, and typing in your password if you have one. This is much simplified over Me's way of handling this.

Stable and Performance
In my 6 months with XP, I have found it to be very stable. Instead of shutting down the whole computer when something crashes I can just isolate and shut down that program, which you could do sometimes with the older operating systems, but it usually wouldn't work right, or cause some error, or drop in performance. Speaking of performance, I find XP to be faster then any previous operating system when using programs. Now I'm sure there are ones out there that are slower, probably because they were built long before XP, but with everything I've tried so far, it's either been faster or comprable to the older operating systems. The new "built for XP" programs run especially smooth and fast, and I can't wait for more to come out.

In Closing
Windows XP Home Edition is geared toward the average user who prefers videos and games to spreadsheets and databases. There are some great multimedia options with XP Home as well, like the great video editor, which really makes me want to go out and get a new digital video camera, and the newly rebuffed Windows Media Player, which now handles all your media needs. Microsoft claims you have to purchase support for DVDs and ripping MP3s serperatly for like 10 bucks a piece, but come one folks, I'm sure you already have those, just use the third-party software you already have, it works fine. Going online in XP is more built in then ever also. Pretty much everything you can do on your XP computer, some way ties into the Internet, and being online in someway. Microsoft is trying to ease you into its move towards it .net passport service, which I hear is the backbone of their next operating system a few years down the road. I don't like the sound of that, Microsoft being able to control what you see and do online. For now though, Windows XP is a sturdy, good-looking, improved operating system for Microsoft. I recommend getting it. I repeat that it will take some getting used to that could be frustrating at first, but once you learn it, it's really great to use.

Recommended: Yes