Converted a Windows XP SP3 install into Windows Media Centre Edition 2005.
Not bad having a Windows MCE that is Volume Licence that flags as Genuine and doesn't need any activation hacks 
All over the Intergeeks anyway, mate. The punishment comes when you've installed it all and it fucks up, which Windows will inevitably do.
That's why you have test machines and try every combination of shit to make it break. Then you know what works and what doesn't.
Most of the time its shitty 3rd partys apps or crap drivers that bring windows down. So be careful and choosy about what you install and its all good.
There's something seriously wrong with an OS that will crash because of a misbehaving user space application.
90% of computer users can't be wrong!
Thing is, you make everything too safe, the system is hard to program for and it doesn't have any speed for gaming I guess. Well that's the theory anyway.
Actually separating kernel and user spaces is the theory. Makes it easier to program, too.
Isn't that what they tried to do with Vista? I know audio drivers are shit house compared to XP, not to mention all the crap that happened for ages re video drivers. With audio drivers, most companies just didn't even bother unless it was the very latest audio chip. I think only Realtek came to the table there, and Creative very reluctantly. I mean there was that fiasco with that guy who hacked their drivers to get more functionality out them.
I think they tried separating the kernel and user spaces in Vista, yes, but since Vista is not a complete rewrite of the Windows kernel, AFAIK, it doesn't prove anything, really. But certainly if you look at the new folder structure, they've been glancing at the 'nix way of things.
I'd be more inclined to give Linux a serious try if they could get things like Dolby Digital Live and DTS Connect working there.
Both of those are proprietary techniques so Linux won't support them until Dolby or DTS release their specs, or when a particularly good programmer finds a way to hack them. Dolby especially is in Microsoft's pocket so it probably won't happen anytime soon.
