MacroQuest64

Win XP home version blows goats, well all of them do but 2kPro is the only thing I havn't decided to reformat within the first week.

Now if only Linux had a really nice DVD player and all the sweet utilities windows does..

Win XP pro corporate edition.. Even has a workaround for that service pack security they tried to pull a month ago or so. Tinker around with it to make it stop copying a duplicate of every blasted file on the hard drive for backup purposes and it's worked out great for me.

CN

Just for discussionary purposes, BeOS is my favorite OS ever. Free (well, sorta), easy to install, incredibly stable and crazy fast...too bad there's almost no software for it. ;)

~malachi

Oh, and Nix has several nice DVD players :)

I am thinking of getting a new pc - and I only really 'play' EQ. Can anyone suggest a real nice set up I can work towards?

I would suggest the default $650 Dell. I'll get flamed for this, but *most* people don't NEED the power of a P4 1.7, or anything near it, but it's the default for most computers now, so go with the flow.

Upgrade the ram, you want at least 256.

Default video card is ok, I'd suggest you go w/ 32Mb, 64 if you're going to want to game more in the future.

Go w/ the base Hard drive, right now office depot is selling 80 giggers for $99, so you can upgrade privately a lot cheaper.

Sound card, again--eh. You probably don't need 5.1 surround, unless you want to make your computer the center of your entertainment center, in which case you might want to upgrade.

Default modem/network card is fine

USB 2.0 is default, firewire is dissapearing, so it's of somewhat neglegible worth.

Right now the $650 dells are shipping w/ 15 inch LCD"s not bad considering one of those goes for about $200 on its own.

I made this recommendation based on what you said, if you want to update what you said, then talk to me again. It'll ship w/ XP home which, again, is just fine. If you have more questions, feel free to PM me.

~malachi

Just get your local computer guru to build you one. More bang for your buck in the end...or get a laptop they rock =)

My 2cp's:

I am a CompSci Grad and Own a Computer Consulting Business.
(not bragging, just establishing creditability)

For new computer Buyer--> 2 options
1) If you want a computer with minimum hassles -- Malachi is absolutely right...Dell has the best Customer Service (as of now) and the machine is usually tested before shipping (no having to debug)

2) If you want the best computer for the Dollar -- SingleServing is correct...If you watch carefully, and know how to web-shop, you can get a smoking machine for about $500...Down side is, you have to install your own OS and software and Tech support is limited your geek friend.

Bottom line...if your Guru is truly a Guru...buy a custom built computer...if you want tech support, buy a dell.

BTW if the HP/Compac merger ever smoothes out, you will see HP's come back strong with a better CS system than Dell.

About OS:
If you are foolish enough to buy an OS that has been on the market for less than 2 years, you should be aware of MS (unofficial) policy on releasing software. Have you ever seen the window that says something to the effect of "This program has crashed...send bug to MS or don't send bug"..? This is because you are Beta testing the software...ever since 98 came out, all first and second year users have been beta testers. If you want proof, look at the win2000 fiasco. Or look at IE6...these programs were released with a mind boggling amount of bugs. IE6 is where the "send bug" window comes from BTW. Win2k was released in 1999...and coders Hated It! If you wanted to write a driver for 2000, you had to effectively write 2.5 drivers...one for personal use, one for network use, and 1/2 to translate and determine which to use. It wasn't until 2001 that you began to see many of the smaller programs and hardware companies putting out drivers for 2000.

Here is the rule of thumb:
Don't install an OS until at least 2 Service Packs have been released ( I wait for 3)
SOOOO...the winner is Win2000...Right now it is the most stable and the easiest to find drivers and updates. (PS ME never worked well and never will IMO)

Any Technical Questions can be processed for a nominal fee of course.