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I used to ask myself that question every time Windows 95 crashed while I was trying to juggle spreadsheets, databases, and e-mail. Hours of crucial work were wiped out in an instant because Windows 95 no longer could keep track of the tangled bits.
If you aren't asking yourself the same question now, you probably will be soon. That's because NT, once the ugly stepchild of Microsoft operating systems, has blossomed into a valuable tool for business- oriented computing. Armed with the same interface as Windows 9x, rock-solid reliability, and effective security features, NT 4.0 has found a home on over 15 million computers.
What's more, Microsoft has made it clear that Windows 98 is its last 16-bit/32-bit hybrid OS. Since all Wintel roads lead to NT, you'll likely have to master this operating system if you want to stay productive. A substantial proportion of PC World's readers-- nearly 14 percent by our last count--already...