Recently there was long thread about the BCA. I can now post possible answers to some of the questions, such as "Why is the BCA still raising membership prices when there is a significant amount still left in its coffers?"
Atari STE is the best thing since sliced bread.
But choosing between x box and ps2, I would go for ps2 just because I had many years of gaming without a hitch until I sold mine in the summer. The ps2 may be older than the xbox but it is still a dam fine bit of machinery.