But we have also heard that Microsoft is coming out with a new operating system later this year. Because it is meant to be used on networks, Microsoft endowed it with a stability it could not give to home versions. But these versions of Windows are also less stable in large part because they were designed to deal with hundreds of consumer-oriented devices and programs produced by hundreds of vendors with varying design and programming skills. In other words, if you were to trade in ME for 2000, you would get more stability, but you might have problems getting your PC to deal with your favorite gizmos or software. XP is said to be stable enough to survive even a major electronic earthquake, yet flexible enough to put up with whatever the consumer wants to throw into its gears.
Early indications are that the promises have promise.
But I would stick with Millennium Edition, and switch to XP only after it has been available for a couple of months. We welcome e-mail from readers, but cannot answer phone queries. Please include make and specifications of your computer. If you are asking about a program, please include version number. FAQ also appears on Page 3 of the Sunday Business section.