OMG, I'm old enough sadly to remember CP/M for Z80 CPU's... swapping disks every time you entered a new commandbound_jenny wrote: It could be CP/M...
(for those not in the know, that's Confused Package for Microcomputers )
Jenny.
Personally, I use OpenSuSE for desktop and Development as I can customise it for my needs, and I can emulated any MS stuff and other linux distros. But I'm not your average end user I guess. I use Fedora for NAS, Win7-64 when I want to play silly update games and do all the required reboots till forgot what I switched on to do I use Android Tablets and phones (when I get a service here).
I tend to write cross platform these days, write the code once and run on all platforms (except Apple as I cant afford one really, and the squeaky heeled lawyers I might need for the stuff I develop LOL). Maybe one day when there are less draconian attitudes and I'm richer. As a multi-platform user I get tired of the global habit of brand bashing, go with what works for you! To be honest and unless your looking to earn money from popular OS types go with what you have fun with, what ever OS that may be.
As for XP, safe if you run it as USER not ADMIN user I reliably informed. Pity they never knocked all the zero day bugs out of it before dropping the shutter on it. I will continue to use it for my old stuff.
Have Fun, its your computer