Just to add my 2cents to this very late discussion, i LOVE Win2k... stability and speedwise over Win9x is better, stability is a nobrainer, but speedwise i would say Win2k is faster... maybe it's because it's using my 512mb of ram more efficient? i don't know... for all i know it's an illusion, and it's infact slower than win9x, and even so, opening IE or Word 0.5secs slower is a VERY good tradeoff for the stability.
I also used NT4 for a little while, and i must say Win2k is superior to that as well. As for crashes, it's true NT4 had less, but i also had less hardware and software in NT4 than i do in Win2k. With the more hardware and software support migrating to Win2k, the more problems you are bound to have.
<< see, I keep hearing that it's the kick ass windows OS now.. but.. I can't help but notice that when I got to the operating system forum, all these problems >>
Based on that rationale, you should be using Win3.1 or Win95. You don't hear too many people whine about those OS on these forums. You hear a lot of problems on Win2k is because more people are using Win2k.
I would suggest using Win2k yourself instead of listening to people. The best evidence is your own experience.