Windows XP Home vs Pro

[Bungleau]

In no apparent order...

I connect to domains all the time with Home. You can't create your own domain and restrict it, but you can participate in others.

A decent firewall eliminates those who want access to your machine. I use ZoneAlarm instead of the Windows Firewall, and I decide who's trusted or not. Every network is untrusted until I say otherwise.

And as for accessing your machine, they can only do it if you share things out. Disable sharing overall and require passwords when you do share, and you will generally be fine.

The 5-user thing means that only 5 computers can connect to yours at a time; Pro allows more. Hive seems to be saying that you can only connect to five as well; that may only be an issue in MMOG play... [img]smile.gif[/img]

BTW, any and all discussions on this topic at IW do revolve around legit copies of software... while I understand the difference between 4 ringgit and 500 ringgit, the little one does approach TOS violation status. As does lifting a copy from your dad... So let's keep it clean, teman Callum [img]smile.gif[/img]

Unless you specifically need some of the features of XP Pro, Home will be just fine. Here's Microsoft's breakdown of the difference.

[Cloudbringer]

Callum, definitely spring for your own legit copy. Then you have no worries about re-loading if you move and as Bungleau said, we don't discuss or condone anything illegal with regard to software on the board. [img]smile.gif[/img]

We have XP pro in my house but that's because my husband wanted the higher security for our network. There are alot of people on pc's in our neighborhood and we know from experience that it's very easy to pick up someone else's network if they haven't properly set up their security. Hubby's a geek-type, though so he may have wanted some of the extra bells and whistles just to have them to play with! LOL

I'm pretty sure the Home version has basic security and as Bungleau mentioned, disable the guest account access right off. It's a security hole that MS put in for no good reason I can think of! Better to have it OFF and have to activate it on purpose should you choose to, I'd say.

[Hivetyrant]

Originally posted by Bungleau: In no apparent order... I connect to domains all the time with Home. You can't create your own domain and restrict it, but you can participate in others. A decent firewall eliminates those who want access to your machine. I use ZoneAlarm instead of the Windows Firewall, and I decide who's trusted or not. Every network is untrusted until I say otherwise. And as for accessing your machine, they can only do it if you share things out. Disable sharing overall and require passwords when you do share, and you will generally be fine. The 5-user thing means that only 5 computers can connect to yours at a time; Pro allows more. Hive seems to be saying that you can only connect to five as well; that may only be an issue in MMOG play... [img]smile.gif[/img] BTW, any and all discussions on this topic at IW do revolve around legit copies of software... while I understand the difference between 4 ringgit and 500 ringgit, the little one does approach TOS violation status. As does lifting a copy from your dad... So let's keep it clean, teman Callum [img]smile.gif[/img] Unless you specifically need some of the features of XP Pro, Home will be just fine. Here's Microsoft's breakdown of the difference.

Ermmm..... No, Home cannot join domains, and no version of XP can create domains (you may be thinking of workgroups) you need Windows server to create domains.

You can be on the same network as more than 5 machines, but you cannot share/navigate more than 5 at any one time.

You are half right about the firewall, a thrid party app is generally best, and Zone Alarm is well suited for the job (I use it also) but it is always recommended to have the Windows firewall on at all times, if you have an existing firewall, it cannot hurt to have both (this was stressed at my Microsoft XP certification courses by proffesionals )

[Harkoliar]

cant you wait for vista to come out so that prices for home will be cheaper for you to buy?

[Hivetyrant]

Originally posted by Harkoliar: cant you wait for vista to come out so that prices for home will be cheaper for you to buy?

If he wants to wait for next year [img]graemlins/1disgust.gif[/img]

[Harkoliar]

oh .. i thought it was coming out this year.. ah well..

[Hivetyrant]

The enterprise edition is (buisness edition) but the other editions are due out Q1-Q2 next year

[wellard]

Don’t assume that the legit copy will be hassle free. I had one (xp pro) and because my computer had so many rebuilds it no longer worked; try as I might with global support. Banging my head against a brick wall would be more fun. I chose to buy a new (genuine XP home) rather than waste my valuable time being insulted.

There have been no notable differences so far, nor as anyone offered a practical need for the PRO apart from business multi user license which is not available with home edition.

[Hivetyrant]

Originally posted by wellard: Don’t assume that the legit copy will be hassle free. I had one (xp pro) and because my computer had so many rebuilds it no longer worked; try as I might with global support. Banging my head against a brick wall would be more fun. I chose to buy a new (genuine XP home) rather than waste my valuable time being insulted. There have been no notable differences so far, nor as anyone offered a practical need for the PRO apart from business multi user license which is not available with home edition.

Exactly, if you don't need it, don't buy it

Pro will cause more hassles than it will prevent if not used correctly [img]smile.gif[/img]

[Thoran]

Default 'XP Home' systems can not be members of a domain, there is no support installed for joining or logging into a domain on startup.

However... M$ didn't actually remove the code... so if you want you can easily find a patch to re-enable it.

http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase...p_home_pro.asp