Comment by Aldipower
1 month ago
Recently I've installed Windows XP on an 20 years old machine to run an old software synth on it. Man, was XP a slick and neat system from today's perspective! Back in the days it felt sluggish, but now in comparison, I think it was one of the best Windowses ever.
When it came out it was universally hated, when SP2 came out it was hated again with renewed vigor
I even recall that people were concerned about spyware and user tracking in XP because it required online activation.
It's amazing what would trigger outrage back then vs what it all looks like now.
From a UX and simplicity standpoint, in terms of what a typical user touches and experiences in an OS, I think XP SP2 was Windows at its peak. The UI seemed minimal, balanced and practical compared to the obtrusive mess that exists today.
> SP2 came out it was hated again with renewed vigor
Was it? My memory is that SP2 was the point at which most outlets considered to be "good".
No, SP2 was received about as well as Windows 11 was. Googling "xp sp2 problems" gets you forum gold such as https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/windows-xp-sp2-suc...
But I don't really need sources, as Eldond said: "I was there, Gandalf. I was there three thousand years ago."