I believe it was 1995 when the THX remastered versions of the OT were released. That Christmas I was ecstatic to have recieved the trilogy box set as a gift. I watched the movies over and over. I was a senior in High School, and my part time job was at an entertainment store, where we watched movies while working. I would play Star Wars every chance I got.
So you can imagine my excitement when not two years later came the rerelease of the trilogy, into theatres. Myself having been just a baby in my momma's womb when she went to see Star Wars in 1977 (it's all her fault I'm such a fan...), I hadn't experienced Star Wars in the theatre (aside from RotJ in 1983, which I barely remember). I was giddy with excitement and anticipation. I was in my freshman year in college, and opening night, my friends and I packed into the theatre for the film. I was curious about the additional footage, and the enhanced special effects. The first time I watched it, I was in awe. It was awesome. It was all I had expected, and my love for the movie grew exponentially. Two weeks later, I was back at the theatre for ESB, and then three weeks later I was there again for RotJ (I think I have the timeline correct).

I had finally seen the trilogy in the theatres as they were meant.

Later that year, the Special Editions (as they were now called) were released on VHS, and I snatched up a copy right away. As I watched this new version of Star Wars on my home TV, I became frustrated, and soon downright hateful towards a few things. First off, I despise the new Jabba the Hutt scene. It's horrible. The CG Jabba is very obviously so, and nothing about that scene fits with the rest of the film. I never questioned that there was a Jabba, and that Han needed to pay him some money-and I think the movie is better without the Jabba scene. I also came to dislike Greedo shooting first. For awhile it didn't bother me, but the more I watched the film in the "Special" form, the more I realized, it was Han's character to shoot Greedo-not out of self-defense. He was a scoundrel. A smuggler. A sort of scum. He would shoot first. Sure, he leaves his "life of crime" to help save the Galaxy, but when we first meet Han Solo, he has no aspirations for helping the Rebellion. He's out for himself, and to protect himself he would shoot Greedo. The other major dislike I have are all the additional droids, and "funny" background scenes as Luke and Ben arrive at Mos Eisley. The background scenes aren't funny, they are annoying and distracting.
I do like the scene where Luke and Biggs get a chance to talk before flying out against the Death Star, and the enhanced battle scenes are also great. But take away everything else, and give me the Original release version of Star Wars A New Hope.

The Empire Strikes Back was the best altered of the three, because there were the least amount of changes (between the THX remastered, and the Special Edition VHS versions). Nothing to complain about. However, between the VHS and DVD versions there was one huge change. And I personally think it was a great change. It makes the films flow seamlessly, and cements the idea that Darth Vader had no idea Luke was his son (or if he did know-he did a great job of pretending to the Emperor, but this topic could be discussed all on it's own, so I'll stop-Just know I like the new dialogue!)...I am also glad the Emperor is now the same in the five films, though I feel bad for the original actor who was The Emperor. He was collectively wiped out of the Star Wars Universe.

Return of the Jedi, I have only one complaint. The extended music sequence at Jabba's Palace. I liked the original version, the new, extended sequence is loud, and a little annoying, especially if being listened to on the musical score. And I hate to say that about anything John Williams composed. As for the ending with the Ewoks, a lot of people found that change less than desireable, but I actually like the new ending, and the new music. I like seeing the celebration on several worlds of the fall of the Empire. The only downside, is the "clean" look of the computer generated worlds doesn't flow with the "gritty" real look of the Forest Moon. And as far as the ghost of Anakin at the end of the film appearing as a young man (Hayden Christensen)...the jury's still out on that one. In a way it makes sense, but in a way it's more sensible to have Anakin appear as a ghost how he was when he died, as a grown 40-something man. None of the other Jedi ghosts appear as incarnations of their younger selves, so I don't really understand why Anakin would. I'm sure I'll seesaw back and forth on this point for awhile.

In the end, bring back the Original version of Star Wars, and keep the Special Editions of The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi.

Then I will be a happy fan.