Trivia Tuesday is a series in which I choose a topic, and provide Fun Facts or Interesting Trivia about it. This time the topic is the Windows XP Operating System.
Windows XP Trivia
1. A New Windows
Windows XP released in 2001 as a successor to Windows 2000 and Windows ME. It introduced a complete overhaul to the GUI.
It featured the now-iconic default desktop background: a green hillside with a blue cloudy sky.
Windows XP was the Operating System I used the longest. I still have a soft-spot for it after all these years. A 10/10 system!
2. Long-lived
Windows XP had a long life span for a Windows Operating System. It recieved Support and Updates for over 12 years. Even now, after Microsoft ended its support, community patches and updates keep coming out for it.
I didn't know about community patches before researching for this post. Would love to try them one day, maybe on a virtual machine.
3. Service Packs
Over it's lifespan, Windows XP had three major Service Packs (SP1, SP2, SP3) that introduced huge updates, security patches and new features.
I don't know if I got the first service pack, but I remember installing SP2 and SP3 versions of Windows XP on my machines in my many System Formats over the years.
4. System Restore
A feature that allows users to revert the system's state to a previous point in time. It helps fixing issues caused by software installations or changes. The system regularly creates Restore Points and users could manually create them.
I had a love/hate relationship with "System Restore" back then... It seemed to work sometimes, but wouldn't work when it's most important for it to. Ah~ I'm nostalgic writing this.
5. A Gaming Machine
Windows XP was known for its gaming capability. It introduced DirectX 8.0 and supported DirectX 9.0 and it smoothly runs games optimized for them. It was a favorite operating system for gamers in its era.
I remember installing DX9 on my Windows XP in the past... I wish I remembered which game(s) I installed it for.
6. Hibernation
Hibernate Mode allows users to save the current state of their system on Hard Drive before shutting down the system. It allows for resuming exactly where you left off
It was really useful for one specific game that stopped saving progress, so we kept it open and only used Hibernate Mide to shut the system down for the week we played that game.
7. XP-tan
An anthropomorphic personification of Windows XP in the form of a high school anime girl. Originated in Japanese online message boards.
She's usually characterized as being a competent worker, a sleeper and a gluttonous because of the amount of Ram Windows XP required.
From Japan comes the weird...
What Do You Think?
It's official. Last week, I mentioned Windows XP Trivia as an idea, I didn't think I'll choose the topic for this Trivia Tuesday. I could do more operating systems in the future, these were fun to research!
If you have an idea for the next Trivia Tuesday's Topic, suggest it in a comment below.
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