Actually, I like XP a lot better than past versions of windows. It doesn't require a reboot as often, I've never seen a BSOD, and it's a lot better at networking, especially wireless.

As far as 'activation' is concerned, you can't blame Microsoft for not wanting people to steal their product (well, you can) but you can definately blame them for going after the wrong group. They should be targeting Pirates that mass-copy the software, and then sell it for cheap, and haxors who distribute it on Kazaa, not home users who wan't too install it on their computer and their laptop.