Windows Reactionaries, Unite!

Whenever Microsoft releases a new version of Windows, there's always a backlash from people using previous versions. "It's all just a bunch of hype," they say. "Why should I spend a lot of money to upgrade when Windows Me works just fine?"I can make fun of these people because I'm one of them. My home computer is still running Windows 98 because, well, it still works fine and I'm a cheapskate. (Now that extended support for Win 98 has ended, however, it really is time for an upgrade.)

I may have taken this non-upgrading thing to an extreme, but if you're using Windows XP, there really isn't much need to run out and get Vista as soon as it's released. In fact, there are some good reasons not to--chiefly cost. Not only will you save money on the new operating system, but you'll save money on all the high-grade hardware you'd need to run it. Then there are all the headaches you'll save by not having to deal with the bugs and incompatibilities that inevitably come with a brand-new operating system.

If you're the kind of no-nonsense person that these arguments appeal to, we've got just the story for you. "Hate The Vista Hype? How To Stay Happy With Windows XP," by Windows expert Preston Gralla, aims to help you get the most out of XP for a long, long time. You'll find the answers to these questions: Just how much money can I save by not switching to Vista? How long can I expect to get support for XP from Microsoft? Will new software that's released in the next few years still run on XP? Will I be able to get XP drivers for any new hardware I buy?

What's more, Gralla reveals ways you can get some of Vista's much-hyped new security and interface features in Windows XP right now--for free. That's right, you can get a two-way firewall, transparent windows, handy-dandy widgets, and more on XP without spending a penny.

So really, why would you want to spend a lot of money upgrading to Vista when XP works just fine?