Well I can only speak from my own experience. I ran XP with absolutely no serious problems the entire time.

The default lights are locked at 1024 max value, double click on the max size dial, and change the max value to 2048 and the vale to 2048. Change the Max Value to 2048, and what other value to 2048? I keep changing it, but it won't stick.

WEll, in my case, I have the SummaGraphics SummaSketch III. It has a 4-button stylus, and is about 12X12". I got it for about $200, but "I knew someone with connections" at the time.

OK, let me tell you without any hesitation or doubt. I ran the Windows XP Release candidates 1&2. I have a Linksys router, and a cable modem. I am networked. I had absolutely no problems running Windows XP with that setup. Windows XP made the network incredibly easy for me. It found the setup, and made it work, without any fiddling on my part. My wife still has Windows ME, and everything worked fabulously well. I took Windows XP off because "it was a beta," and not the commercial release. I knew it would expire eventually, and I had troubles understanding how to do the dual boot thing when I upgraded from Windows XP RC 1 to RC2. I figured eventually I'd want to get the commercial version of Windows XP because I'm a techno-geek, and need my fix of new things once and awhile. I've worked as a Technical Support Engineer, and frankly I need to know my latest operating systems to help my customers. That meant I took a week's vacation, installed Windows ME, and did simulations of it.... That means I'll likely do the same with Windows XP (except I'm in between jobs, thanks to the computer industry slump....and it may be awhile before I can afford Windows XP now.) I understand that Microsoft is trying to cut down piracy with this authorization stuff... whatever they call it. But yes it does kill the little people like us who are just trying to work with our computers. We can't afford all the extra licenses, etc. We'll most likely get Windows XP some time.. Most likely not when it first comes out. When we do get it, I will likely run XP, while my wife sticks to ME...She understands that and is used to it.

OH, or you can save a copy, then use the jpg option.

OOh, a great artist like yourself has an old crappy system? What do you have? I am not totally satisfied with my system, but it is all I can afford, and it seems like others aren't as lucky as me: 1.) Intel Celeron 533mhz 2.) 320MB RAM 3.) On-board AGP Intel video chip (uses 1MB RAM I guess) 4.) 30GB hard drive for operating system/programs 5.) 20GB hard drive for data (mostly Poser!) 6.) Hewlett Packard 7500+ Series CD burner (real life saver) 7.) "Hand me down" Off brand Natural keyboard. 8.) Magnavox 15" "Extended VGA" monitor (pretty crappy resolutions..too dark, and I can't adjust to make it better) 9.) Microsoft Optical Trackball 10.) SummaGraphics SummaSketch III 11.) Hewlett Packard 672C printer (ancient, but still half-decent...I don't print my pictures any more.) 12.) Networked using onboard network card... to my wife's computer 13.) Cable modem with Linksys router so we can share the Internet.

A mouse? Have you ever gone nuts trying to get just the right spot, make the right line, etc... A mouse is like putting mittens on, then trying to pick up a dime.

OK, so far it seems .tif format is preferred. If I wanted to submit an entry to a contest, then I could load the tif image (say in PhotoShop), reduce it in size if necessary, then save in jpg?! Is there any reason for not using the .pdf (native PhotoShop) format? Or don't you have PhotoShop? I'm just trying to figure if the tif format has more features available than pdf. Is there a concern about how big the tif files are? My 20GB hard drive gets a bit full sometimes.