This Page Was Made in Windows XP

You read that right. This very web page that you are reading was made in Windows XP! If you don't believe me, take a look at the photograph below.

As you can see, I totally did write this in XP.

Why am I doing this? Honestly, I really like Windows XP. Something about it draws me in, like a moth is drawn to a light. It might be because of the welcoming feel it gives me compared to other operating systems. I also like it because it gives me a better feel for how my site would look like on an old computer, which is something I like to aim to achieve with my site.

Before you ask, no, this isn't running on a real Windows XP computer, it's only a virtual machine. As much as I want to, I don't have the money or space to buy another PC just to run Windows XP, though I really want to.

As for the version of the operating system that I'm running in the virtual machine, I'm running Windows XP Professional Edition. I was thinking about running Windows XP Home Edition, but I ultimately decided on Pro. There really aren't many notable differences between XP Professional and Home. There are some things Pro can do that Home can't, like multi-processor support or remote desktop, but if you're just a casual user, chances are these differences will never affect you in any way ever. There is also a x64 bit version of Pro available, but I decided to just use the regular version. Basically every program every made for XP is x32 bit anyway.

What do I even do on this virtual machine? Besides Neocities, I mostly just play games that are compatible with XP, like Civilization II and Half-Life Game Of The Year Edition. I actually do use the internet on here a little bit, mostly just for fun. Since Internet Explorer doesn't work anymore, I use the MyPal Browser, one of the few browsers available today that work with XP.

I have the feeling that a lot of people think that just booting up an old operating system, or even browsing the internet with one, will automatically compromise your accounts and safety. That's not necessarily true. Yes, XP has lots of security holes that have been exploited to devastating effect in the past (remember Wannacry?), but as they say, common sense is the best anti-virus. As long as you stay smart online, you'll probably be fine browsing the internet with XP. Still though, I don't recommend logging into any important accounts, like your bank account, or purchasing any products with XP. The most I'd recommend is logging into something small, like your Neocities or a forum account. I'd also recommend that if you're using MyPal or a browser that supports add-ons, to install browser extensions such as uBlock Origin. Extensions like that can help you greatly in staying safe while browsing online.

Would I recommend you using Windows XP? If you want to go on a nostalgia ride, sure, go ahead. If you're into retro gaming and want your games to run natively XP, that's fine too. Just remember to stay smart while using XP. If you want a lightweight OS that isn't bloated with useless software, just switch to Linux at that point. Mint is a good starting point for beginners.

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Last Updated: May 15, 2024
Page Created: May 3, 2024