Definitely OT, and ignorance isn't as funny as it seems ... Windows 98 uses different usernames and passwords so that it can keep track of different profiles. Different desktops, wallpaper, shortcuts, internet bookmarks etc. Useful when Mummy doesn't want Johnny's Metallica as her default wallpaper. You are correct that from the viewpoint of local security, Win9x doesn't protect local resources at all. That is a feature of NT/2K/XP. Local security should be in-built, but your average desktop joe is not-too-bright. He wants root access on his machine at all times, so that's what he gets.
From a network standpoint, different usernames are used to control access to network resources (authenticating against an NT server). If you log in using user X, you may have a different set of permissions to network resources than user Y. Hitting ESC means that you will be logged on as neither user X nor Y, and will be unable to access network resources.
M$ bashing is fine, but it should be *informed* bashing. Otherwise we just look silly:( Regards Luke Loh Senior Network Engineer Nicholls Price Pty Ltd Mb: 0412 022 311 Ph : 61 2 9222 9155 Fx : 61 2 9222 9166 www.nph.com.au Level 1, 70 Pitt Street Sydney NSW 2000 P.S. I'm an LPIC-2, so please don't start flame wars over "some heathen defending MS". If we want credibility, we should check our facts before going "there's no point in having different usernames in Win9x". It makes us look poorly informed, not to mention silly ...