s_k

Well you can never tell what's going to happen in the future...
Maybe Microsoft starts behaving all apple-like too...

Allright, I'm a regular visitor of oldversion.com as I like to keep the software I'm used to. So I'm always sceptic about new Windows versions and I've only been using Windows 7 for a year now. I am using all kinds of windowses througout my house so I think I have a pretty clear view on the differences.
Here's the question you could have expected: Why exactly would you want to keep using Windows XP?
I'm guessing soundcards. These are always an issue.
It took me some time to get my ESI juli@ to work with Adobe Audition. I was still using Cool Edit Pro 2.1 with Windows XP and 7 didn't want to work properly with CEP. So my avpc is now dualboot too, but I'm never ever using Windows XP anymore. Everything works just fine with windows 7 but yes, you will probably have to use newer versions of the programs you are using now. I had that problem back in the days when Windows XP hit the market. I had a PInnacleDC30. Good luck getting that to work With XP. Have been running Windows '98 until may 2003

When you want the freedom of choice, it's a wise thing you've chosen the PC.
I was an MSX guy back then by the way. Only bought my first new PC in 1997

__________________
Click here to see my collection

Freebase Dali

That's when I'd switch operating systems to something else. But at least I'd still have the choice.

Nah, I'm ok with my audio interface. I have an Echo Audiofire 12, and its drivers support XP, Vista and 7, 32 or 64 bit.
Mainly I'm worried about plugins. I have a 64bit version of my music program Sonar 8.5 PE (which is W7 certified), and it supposedly has something called "bitbridge" that's supposed to allow you to use 32bit audio plugins in its 64bit architecture, but I hear a lot of problems with it.
Ultimately, all I can do is go through my thousands of plugins and see which ones work. I guess, at that point, I can either drop the ones that dont, or dual-boot a 32bit XP (which I already have) and if those plugins are extremely important for, say, mastering, then I can use the 32bit boot for mastering. I don't really need all that RAM (12GB) for mastering anyway. The RAM will come in more handy during huge projects with a lot of individual synths and samples.
As far as other every-day-use software, I'm willing to use newer versions if necessary, and am not worried about that.

s_k

Well to be completely honest, on a PC you can run two useable operating systems. Windows and some Linux.
On a modern day mac you can run Linux distro's, Windows and Mac OS. So when it comes to choice of OS's, go for the mac. But you probably don't want to use MacOS as you're used to the software you use now. So why spend more money. I don't think it will be of any use to you

Hmmm, I'd probably use a seperate PC for those plug ins. But then I don't mind having three PC's standing in one room

OldVersion.com, becausenewerisnotalwaysbetter .
Be aware, you may run into some 'upgrades' of software that really suck.

Brings me back to Mac OS .
Since Mac OS 10.6, when you select multiple files and click the right mouse button to go to 'file info', it will open a little window with file info for every ****ing file you selected. I want to know how big these files are together.
Lucky me, I tried this first with 310 files. So I had 310 little windows I had to close. Thank god for cmd+w. But then this is a Mac so it has to be animated beautifully... So altough the Core i7 is quick enough to get rid of all those windows within the blink of an eye, very single one had to go into the dock smoothly... *sigh*... Design over practicality...
I found out later that you have to press command shift I or something now. Well that's fine, but I still think this:

Is the best way to do it

__________________
Click here to see my collection

Freebase Dali

I don't see why I'd need to use a separate computer for the plugins. All the hardware that will be in my setup will support a 32bit OS, as well as 64. I have to use the plugins inside the host DAW anyway, so why not just dual boot with one 32bit OS on one drive, and a 64bit OS on another, each with their respective software installed? Both will be supported by the hardware, and each boot will be native to itself, software-wise.

I guess if I really valued being able to operate the two instances simultaneously in separate boxes, that would come in handy, simply because I wouldn't have to reboot, but it would neither be practical, or worth the investment, for what I'm doing.

s_k

You will find out once you have to reinstall one of the two operating systems .

__________________
Click here to see my collection

Freebase Dali

What are you talking about?