Have you ever managed to get any distro of linux to work with wireless equipment? I can't and it is really frustrating me. I've tried Mandrake 9.1 and 10, Redhat 9.1, knoppix 3.0, 3.4, and 3.7 installed to the hard drive, all with no success. If I could get my wireless gear going I would switch. Microsoft is becoming to invasive for my tastes, but Windows XP Pro SP2 works where as Linux so far, for me and my wireless network does not. I love the knoppix 3.4 version, installed, it is beautiful, but useless without the internet connection.
Linux would be my OS of choice if it weren't for the lack of 3rd-party hardware vendor support.
linux sure is nice. definitly my preference.
and yes, ms does need to bring down the price. and the whole XP home thing (basically gutted windows xp with a bunch of consumer crap) is nuts. it wouldnt bother me if the license was for home use only, but dont gut alot of its functional and add annoying consumer junk. and dont make me deal with re-licensing every time i reinstall or change a bunch of hardware.
i will say that SLP licesning is handy -- buy the license with the box, licensed thru the bios.. never have to deal with activation. but you have to buy a name-brand box from a vendor that has a SLP agreement with microsoft. nice little sales tactic.
regardless, i like win2k. it's clean and simple, gets the job done..