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Do You Like Me?

Members of the ISP-Tech list discuss upgrading a user from Windows 98 to Windows Millennium Edition (Windows Me). Some like Me, some don't.

[December 2, 2000]

On the ISP-Tech list in November, AW asked an interesting question:

"One of my customers just won a free copy of Windows Me. He has a cable modem with Windows 98, and no problems with his current setup. Should I recommend installing the upgrade?"

A number of respondents felt that the upgrade, particularly for free, seems like a good idea:

[KF observed] "I've used Me with a cable modem since the day it came out, and I've installed Me on over four hundred computers. I've not had one second of troubles, no problems or errors. My opinion is: go ahead."

[MK agreed] "I do prefer Me over 98. It's not a major improvement, but there are a few enhancements that make certain things easier. If I had a trouble-free 98 system then I'd probably stick with it, but on a 'problem' system I'd definitely do a clean install with Me."

Others felt that while it couldn't hurt, it probably isn't worth the effort:

[CD offered] "I've found the upgrade to Me to be virtually worthless. The only reason I didn't take it back after realizing it doesn't do much, is that I support Me for our associates who work at home and some of the settings are different. The only cool thing about Me was that the install was very automated."

[TKS agreed] "I wouldn't bother doing the upgrade; there isn't any improvement that I can see other than boot time, so why bother? Plus, a stable upgrade would require backing up, deleting Windows, reinstalling Windows and then reinstalling all programs." A more energetic group urged AW to avoid the change at all costs:

[JM expounded] "Don't do it! I can't begin to use enough words to explain how bad it is."

[JB noted] "Our experience is that Microsoft's Internet Explorer Administration Kit (IEAK) does not work consistently with Windows Me. We have yet to pinpoint specifically where the problem lies, but so far all problems point to lack of integration with IE and Connection Manager. Since we are using the most recent IEAK, we had expected that the two would work together."

[SB added] "Me is a total dog that won't hunt. Besides, if it ain't broke…"

—End

 

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