Upgrading to Windows XP from Windows 98 SE

I have been downloading dozens of new softwares over the last month since we got the broadband connection. Some of these softwares after being downloaded, unfortunately said that they require a higher version of Operating System. Moreover, XP has that 'glam-factor' associated with it. So, I've been considering to upgrade to Windows XP the next time I format my hard disk.

Here is a brief comparison between Windows 98 and WIndows XP :

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/evaluation/whyupgrade/featurecomp.mspx