If you depend on your computer for your livelihood, upgrading to Windows 98 is not something to do on the spur of the moment. The following short list of issues can help you to determine whether you're ready for this big step.

take this test:

  If the following statements apply to you, consider upgrading.

•  I'm looking for a more flexible operating system to help me
   get my work done.

Yes  No 

•  I want applications and features that simplify working with
   the Internet. It would be nice to get everything I need
   included with the operating system.

Yes  No 

• My computer supports high-end multimedia features.
   I want to play DVD movies, and/or work with multiple
   display monitors.

Yes  No 

•  I don't like Windows 3.1.  It's ugly. I wish PCs worked
   more like a Macintosh and I have to buy a new Windows-
   compatible computer for my job. My dealer says I can get
  either Windows 95 or Windows 98 on a new Pentium
  machine.

Yes  No 

•  I want to set up a small HTML-capable Windows Intranet
   for my business. I don't know much about TCP/IP and web
   servers. I'd like to just cable the machines to a hub and go.

Yes  No 

•  I have a computer with at least 32MB of RAM, a PCI bus,
   350 MB of free hard disk space, and a Pentium 90 or better
   processor. (Or I can upgrade my current machine to this
   configuration.)

Yes  No 

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If the following statements apply to you, Windows 98
won't offer much help:

•  I'm happy with my current computer. It can handle all
   of the tasks I assign to it.

Yes  No 

•  I don't really want to spend much time on the Internet.

Yes  No 

•  My current computer works, but it's not state of the art.
   A system upgrade would be inconvenient.

Yes  No 

•  I run a small office and we get along all right.  I don't
   have the time and money to retrain my staff and support
   a new operating system

Yes  No 

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Review the pattern of checkmarks you've made in answers to the questions above. If you find that the preponderance is in the "No" column, you probably don't want to upgrade to Windows 98.