In the last "RootsWorks" column, I talked about Operating
System upgrades, and why you might like to upgrade. But you can run into problems,
and in today's column, we'll talk about some of these issues. I'll also share
some links and a few final thoughts on the subject.
What's the Down Side?
Both OS's have a "classic" style or mode that allows you to either
run old applications (Apple) or use the old interface (Windows). That will come
as a comfort to people who get the future shock easily.
Windows. There's a greater hardware requirement. If you don't have
256 megabytes of RAM, you'll want to upgrade the RAM to that amount. You may
hate activation. However, you cannot buy a single copy of XP and install
it on the two computers at your house - you'll need to buy one for each machine.
There was a great furor over this when Office XP was introduced, but
people seem to have adapted. If you haven't heard of activation, it's a feature
of XP software that requires the user to get an Activation Code from
Microsoft to run the software or OS. Microsoft believes that most of
this will be transparent to users. Still, the whole point of activation is to
eliminate "casual" piracy of Microsoft's products.
Another down side is network administration. According to Brad Wardell, "Windows
XP is a real network OS. That means it has real security on it. You
can't just share a folder on your home LAN and everyone will pick it up automatically.
Users who you want to see your shares have to have accounts on your machine
(or domain) and have explicit permissions. For most people, this is a good thing
but for those who want it to behave like Windows ME/98 do, it will be
a problem."
You can't be too careful. You are starting out at Condition Red. Don't upgrade
yet. Then, if you check the websites for the makers of the hardware and software
that you have, and find XP drivers, you are at Condition Yellow. Exercise
caution in forming hopes for success and making plans for travel. After that,
speak to anyone you can find who has tried to upgrade that hardware and software
and find out what they encountered. If you can find someone who has successfully
upgraded your setup then you are at Condition Green. Close your eyes and jump
off the high dive.
Oh, and one more thought. If your hardware manufacturer tells you that they
have an XP driver and to ignore any messages from Windows XP about it
not being compatible, you are back to Condition Red. You may find it easier
to continue using the setup you have than buying a new printer.
Mac OS. You have to update all of your programs unless you want
to run in "Classic Mode." For Office 2001, that means an outlay of
about $180. You can run the OS 9 versions of Office in classic mode.
The leading genealogy application for the Mac, Reunion, has not yet been released
in an OS X version. You can run the current application in "classic
mode."
Link Me Up (more stars is better)
Beau Sharbrough's Website ***
http://www.sharbrough.net/genealogy/genart14.htm
Contains some pages of basic information that expand on this article.
Mac OS X***
http://www.apple.com/macosx/
Apple describes the new OS. They're trying to sell v10.2 next month.
Windows XP and Customization ****
http://guiolympics.com/articles/winxp_custom.html
Brad Wardell's site, good information.
What Else?
I occasionally wonder what it would be like to run Word Perfect 5.1
under DOS 6 on a Pentium 3 computer. Then I remember how little
RAM and disk space that the OS and Application can work with, and realize
that modern machines likely can't run these programs unless you strip them down
to hardware configurations that the old systems recognize.
While the software, OS, and computer you have should continue to work
for as long as you can turn it on, developers will not write code for the old
platforms for long. Someday, you will be forced to get a new computer, OS,
and upgrade applications. To the greatest extent that you can, make that move
on your timetable, and not someone else's.
Neal Stephenson's book, In the Beginning . . . was the Command Line,
makes a compelling case for the eventual demise of the commercial operating
system. He likens the competition between Apple, Microsoft, and Linux to an
intersection where people sell BMWs on one corner, minivans on another, and
tanks on the 3rd. The BMW's are expenzy, the minivans are less so, and the tanks
are free. My view is that Linux is not ready for prime time — you have to be
a pretty skilled user to make it work and the applications that run on it are
not the ones that all of your colleagues are using — but Mr. Stephenson is
right, and in time you will all be running a variation of Linux, and people
won't be able to make money writing commercial operating systems for personal
use.
On the other hand, there will always be a market for someone to help a person
get his or her computer set up and going. Whether that's Microsoft, Apple, or
the high school kid next door is up to you and the marketplace.
The RootsWorks series of articles focuses on genealogical applications for
generic technologies. Beau would like to hear from you at mailto:rootsworks@sharbrough.net,
but due to the volume of e-mail received, he is unable to answer every e-mail
message received. Please note that he cannot assist you with your individual
computer problems, as he is generally busy in the summer following the woes
of the Texas Rangers. Visit Beau's website (www.sharbrough.net
) for links to previous articles and updates on the season in progress.
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