Windows Server 2003

Is there a list of things incompatible with it, or are there any known issues which make it inferior to XP Pro?

Depends on what you want to do....
If you want to use it as a Server then it's better then XP. XP's IIS is limited to single IP address and 10 connection, also the number of CPU it support, XP supports up to 2 CPU.
If you're using it for games.... best stick with xp, 2k3 is a bit finnicky with directX and games.

>>2
I thought it was only some games that placed arbitary OS requirements to avoid chance incompatibility and therefore support.

I guess I'll stick with XP. I was looking for a more solid and secure out of box solution, but if it breaks games..

I believe I heard something about 2003 having some more digital AIDS (digital restrictions management), so stay away from it.

Server 2003 works fine with dx games, but like >>3 says, some games won't install on newer versions of windows than xp (you'd have to run the installer in xp compatibility mode).  I've used Server 2003 on my 2nd box for a few months, even played some games on it, and that was the only problem I ran into.

I see no-one's actually mentioned that it comes in 2 flavours - 32 and 64 bit, and that the 64-bit version is much less stable because of the lack of supporting software around (this will obviously change tho...).  64- bit is a big NO for doing much gaming at the moment (unless you like the BSOD game).

>>6
Yeah, that game is kind of fun.  Highest score I got was 40.

why the fuck would you noobs run windows 2003 server as your desktop?