Don't know why this topic began to fascinate me tonight, but I've always been a Windows user (and proudly so. I use a mac for work now, and I don't see what the big deal is), and I only came to realize tonight that, at one point or another, I've habitually used nearly every version of Windows ever released.
So I'd be curious what others' experiences with Windows over the years have been.
Here's mine:
MS_DOS -- Our second family computer (the first was a Commodore 6400) was a 286 running MS-DOS. Though no expert at the fine points of the system, I happily programmed in basic and logged on to my local BBS daily.
Windows 1.0, 2.0, and 2.1 -- I'd never even heard of these until I looked them up tonight.
Windows 3.0 and 3.1 -- Never habitually used these, but one of my friends had 3.1, and I had some cursory experience with it.
Windows 95 -- My very first computer. I was originally slated to get a 486 running Windows 3.1, but Windows 95 and the pentium processor both hit the scene around this point, and so I decided to wait, ultimately getting my (then) dream computer: A 75mhz pentium processor running Windows 95. I learned the ins and outs of the system quickly and even knew how to edit my registry settings. I doubt I'll ever know the guts of a computer as well as I knew that one's. I still have document files written on that computer, using some long forgotten word processing program from the days before Microsoft Office was the go-to program for this (note: I prefer Open Office these days). I logged on to the world wide web for the first time using this computer.
Windows 98 -- My second computer (and the one I have the most affection for) ran Windows 98. That computer lasted me through college, a study abroad program in England, and my first two years as an adult in the real world. Without a doubt, the longest I ever held on to a computer. As a result, it was hard for me to give up Windows 98. I just didn't want to have to adapt to a new OS.
Windows NT -- My college's computer lab ran on this once it upgraded from Nextstep (if anyone even remembers that OS!). I'd be hard pressed to tell you how this was any different from Win 98 beyond being abstractly aware that it was somehow better for networks.
Windows Millennium Edition -- I used this for my first real job. Never got into the nitty gritty of the system or anything. I hated the way the start button and menu bar looked on the default settings, and I wasn't allowed to change them.
Windows 2000 -- I don't believe I ever used this.
Windows XP -- I was probably the last person in the world to make the move from Windows 98 to Windows XP but, eventually, the software I wanted to use didn't support Windows 98 anymore, so I bought a used computer that came with XP pre-loaded and joined the 21st Century. I logged on to CBR for the first time using this computer.
Windows Vista -- Based on the reviews, I never intended to own this system, but my mother ended up gifting me with an amazing laptop that seamlessly ran Vista (and still does). I love that machine.
Windows 7 -- Realizing that XP wasn't going to be supported much longer, and wary of the resource hogging nature of Vista, I bought a used desktop a few years back that came pre-loaded with Windows 7. It's what I'm typing on right now.
Windows 8 -- I hope I never have to use this thing.
