good stuff Munkee..thanks for the link
Opus

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/treeview/default.asp?url=/technet/prodtechnol/winxppro/evaluate/xpactiv.asp

What do you think of this? It's about the copy protection of Win XP. I wanted to try my friends copy of XP, before I buy it. However, it looks like it can only be used on one computer without causing trouble for the original owner.

Yes...anytime you reinstall the software you need to call or email Microsoft for a new code...got admit they are getting smarter about copy protection and greedier about thier money!!! lol
I reccomend getting XP anyways..get the Home version if you dont see yourself getting a dual processor system..if you do want dual processors get XP Pro...
Opus

Personally, I can't go to WinXP. I change out sound and video capture cards faster than you can say "Napster good, Metallica bad"! :D
I'm not about to get better aquainted with MICROS~1 support staff.

But for most people, I suppose, even audio people, XP will be nice.

ljp

I have heard many people say that the Pro version is better all around..including the registration isn't as extreme as the Home version.
http://www.sysopt.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=87048

here's a link that basically sums it up
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/home/howtobuy/choosing2.asp
if you'll notice the only main difference is TWO things...
One...no dual processor support for Home version..
Two..no major networking support for Home version...
So, you'll have to ask yourself this question..do I or will I go with dual processors sometime in the future? Will I want to network multiple Audio PC's to streamline data back and forth or to quickly connect to another machine to use for downloading drivers and program updates?
Even if you do go with XP and you dont plan on using dual procs or networking...you can turn those services off!!! You can tweak XP pretty hard core..it even inlcudes our favorite friend..MSCONFIG!!! which is nice!!
XP is definately taking off in the audio DAW domain these days..lets' see what happens!!
Opus

For the heck of it I just loaded Win 2K on my machine. Do you have access to Win 2K optimizing?

go to ProRec.com...they have a really good article on tweaking Win2k for audio