What's the difference between BeOS 5.0 Pro and Beos 5 Max Edition v.2.1? I found the latter in Bebits but I couldn't find any information on the former there. I have both of them (not already installed, I am working on 'normal' BeOS 5). Now I want to install one of them - what do You suggest? I only know that BeOS 5.0 Pro includes licenced mp3 codec, Real Player G2 and special version of Partition Magic. Is it true? Rafal

Max is PE with new drivers and some added apps that you can get at bebits and maybe tucows. There is nothing in MAX that is new or different other than you get it all in one lump. It is more for people who have newer systems and need drivers to get going on BeOS. Pro does have some things that may or may not work still. The Partition magic is so outdated that I don't recommend that you use it. Get a new version of PM if you really need it or better still get a new hard drive to put beos on. Oh, heck. Just get a complete beos ready system for beos and be done with it. I think www.tycomsystems.com and purplus.com still have the pro (R5.03 no less) and other versions for not too much money. I have it just because I know it is the real code. I don't know a good way to test files if I don't have the md5checksum.

I have both versions - BeOS 5.0 Pro and Beos 5 Max Edition v.2.1. I haven't tried them, I still have them on CD, so which one You suggest I should try and install?

Depends on the machine and current install. If you have a new AMD or P4 you might go with the Max. If you have an older machine you might try the Pro. Check www.Tycomsystems.com for the official list of supported hardware. Check Frizbe.net for users reports of hardware. There you might find clues like "works with new driver at bebits" , if so then you might need Max for the updated drivers. You can run both in a virtual file system on top of most file systems. You can run both just from the CD without any hard drive install. Boot up on the CD Accept the EULA Don't touch the installer window. Press ctrl-alt-del In the popup you should see "Restart desktop" (Ok press that button) then press alt-F2 to go to an workspace that doesn't have the installer. It will be slower to much slower because it it running off the CD but you wil get the feel of it.