> Situation: We're *probably* going to go with Dell laptops for both girls > BUT I don't want Vista on them because I want seamless integration with > all of their previous work that was created in XP, plus all of their > school work (e.g., they start the work in their respective schools - > that are NOT running Vista, believe me - and then are expected to > complete the work at home).
There won't be any issue with creating files on XP and working on them in Vista and vice versa. It's just data and the OS doesn't matter. That said, what will matter is the software they created the file on. Obviously, you will need it on both computers. Office 2007 is very nice and can save back to 2003 and prior format. Office 2003 can open 2007 files, which are XML-based, with an MS converter. Office 2007 Student Ed can be had for under $100. Open Office is free. :-) > Further complication is that I want an > operating system that will get said high schooler & laptop through next > four years of college - will Microsoft support XP through 2013??). Are > colleges & universities running Vista? XP is supported through 2012 (I want to say 2014, but I'm not 100% sure). Windows 7 is slated to come out in 2010, but don't hold your breath on that timeline and all indications now is that it will be Vista 2nd Edition. > Now I know that the platform is becoming less and less relevant, and I > can't wait for that day because then the whole family is migrating BACK > to Macs (desktops & notebooks). But we're not there yet, and I need some > advice so "Santa" knows what to order for these two kids, and where to > take the presents to get Vista OFF and get XP (or something) ON. The Dell Business Outlet has many inexpensive, refurbed laptops with XP pre-installed. Filter on "Genuine Windows XP Pro with Vista Business license": http://www.dell.com/content/default.aspx?c=us&cs=28&l=en&s=dfb There is also the Dell Mini, which can come with XP Home on them, as well as Ubuntu, a Linux variation: http://tinyurl.com/5pjoyk > P.S. - While you're at it, I'm thinking of installing a wireless hub (is > that the correct term?) in my home so that these two laptops can > wirelessly communicate with our DSL (through Verizon) and our printer. > Any suggestions on an inexpensive, SECURE way to set this up & > run/maintain it? Any Wireless AP or router out now should have a minimum of WPA encryption as a standard feature. WPA2 is better. Avoid WEP-only encryption like the plague as it is hardly better than nothing. The wireless NIC will also have to support WPA/WPA2. The printer may need it's own device, or you can just share it out on the computer it's installed onto. I prefer Netgear over Linksys. ************************************************************************* ** List info, subscription management, list rules, archives, privacy ** ** policy, calmness, a member map, and more at http://www.cguys.org/ ** *************************************************************************
