Printer-friendly version
Author:
Blog About:
Taxonomy upgrade extras:
... seems to finaly have got his way and is going to get more money out of us!!!!
As of 'APRIL 08 2014' Microshaft is widrawing support for WINDOWS XP
What this means to us the enduser is if there are any malware or backdoor holes found in Windows XP found by those horrible unscrupulus types, after the above date those issues will no longer be sorted by Billy Boy and his programmers.
This also includes Office 2003 and all flavours of Windows 2000.
To me this means a new OS and Laptop as this laptop is too old for even Windows7 Ho hum!!
End of rant, steps down from soapbox
Comments
Use Linux
Your computer will run Linux Mint just fine. That's what we use on our computers -- including the old ones. Give Bill the raspberry and switch to Linux. You can even install it along side your Windows installation. That way, you can use Linux for all of your web browsing, and save Windows for the rare time that you specifically need to use it.
Linux Mint installs with Firefox (web browser,) Thunderbird (mail client,) Gimp (image editor,) Libre Office (office suite that's even better than MS Office,) and a whole bunch of other stuff. Also, there's a huge repository of free software with just about everything you can imagine.
If you don't want to do that, I'll be happy to take your old laptop off your hands. ;-)
Ray
Also use AV for Linux
There's not a lot of malware targeting Linux out there but it is there.
If you do decide on Linux might I suggest you get an AV product (ClamAV is very good, Avast is good) and also install NoScript for Firefox. Both ClamAV and NoScript are free.
Persephone
Persephone
Non sum qualis eram
Windows XP
Windows XP will continue to get security updates that are considered 'critical'
At the end of life cycle date you will no longer be able to get patches to fix bugs or to call support for help with anything related to XP.
HOWEVER you will still get security updates because if they didn't someone would exploit every XP machine out there and use it to annoy MS and other corporations with "DOS" attacks.
Dayna.
Suprised
I am surprised they kept up support this long. Guessing with the whole vista fiasco they kept it going as everyone was either going back to xp or moving to 7 fast.
For all of those who don't know when a product reaches end of sale date which for xp was 2007 they wait 5 years before the completely remove all mainstream support which would have been 2012. this probably would have been the case but then vista was a complete tank. in this case they extended support while developing 7. the end of support for xp in 2014 may coincide with the fact tat as of 2012 windows 7 finally surpassed xp as the most used operating system.
Vista mainstream support which is general fixes and such ended in 2012 (thank the goddess for that!) and full stop is expected in 2017.
all in all seems they are getting back on track.
Rant!
Such vitriol I haven't seen since my last MS rant! I'm seriously thinking of changing to inux as it supports other free ware that is totally compatable with MS fies. If enough of us withdraw our contributions to Billy boy's lifestyle, maybe he will relent and give an honest system a chance.
DJ
Oh well
They actually supported xp for quite a long time, but considering their replacement sucked they should probably keep it up for another 3 to 5 years.
Its all about money isn't it.
Just a note...
Bill Gates has had almost nothing to do with running MS for about ten years and isn't even the largest shareholder anymore, as far as I know. He's gone into philanthropy in a big way and looks for places to give his money away.
XP has had minimal support for several years and had its life extended this far only because Vista was such a turkey gizzard. MS has been sued once already for trying to stop supporting XP, maybe that will happen again. The Euros are not happy with W7 or W8 either and suing a big American corporation there is easier than doing it here.
Personally, the quirks and failings of XP are what drove me firmly to Mac and Linux. I have one Windows unit running XP and one running W7 and mostly they are used only for games and looking at BC to be sure it looks okay in that environment. At the bookstore, the computer runs Vista and it stinks less than it did when released.
Hugs,
Erin
= Give everyone the benefit of the doubt because certainty is a fragile thing that can be shattered by one overlooked fact.
Still
Bill Gates is still considered the largest share holder with only 5%-6% in stock. And he is one of the chairman of the board so he does have some input from what I've read. But he hasn't had any real input on the daily operations. It's hard to believe that its been 10 years since he's stepped down.
It wasn't him that was involved with Win8 (and I hope it dies personally) but Steven Ballmer who is now stepping down.
Your also right in their being sued and it was the customers from major companies that forced continued support on WinXP. I have Win 7 and like it a lot better than Vista personally.
I'm not sure of the validity of what I say.
On my Dell XPS 430, I think about 5 years old, and came with Vista, I eventually got win7, but it will not run now. Chrome stopped several months ago, so I just use clunky firefox. I say clunky because I don't know how to use it the way I would IE. Firefox seems relatively bullet proof, though I did get a blue screen a couple weeks ago. I 'spose when it quits I'll do sumpin else.
how many other companies......
....would support something free of charge for 13 years?
not many.
if you honestly think you are getting shafted, you are a very strange person.
How many companies?
All Linux versions are supported free of charge. In fact, the software itself is free.
Since Linux isn't developed
Since Linux isn't developed by a company, and does not need to pay people to work on upgrades Kahnage's statement still stands. 13 years of free serves (at least to us, it did cost MS) is a long time. Did people expect them to keep supporting the product indefinitely?
As for Gates, he has gone into philanthropy in a BIG way, no matter what his business practices used to be he is really helping millions of people now. He could have used his wealth for personal enjoyment, or to influence politics, but instead he is using it to make the world a better place.
Ubuntu is a company. And has
Ubuntu is a company. And has employers who work on development of Linux, and of course Ubuntu's own improvements (Debatable they sometimes may be). The company gets it's revenue from companies wanting reliable support and pay for that. The use of the OS is free.
All -individual- users who can't, or don't want to, pay for support are able to find help in the large usershared community on Ubuntuforums, and encouraged to share their knowledge and experience.
So Ubuntu is not a company
So Ubuntu is not a company that gives support free of charge? Why then should MS be expected to do so for more than 13 years?
Ubuntu offers an OS free of
Ubuntu offers an OS free of charge. It also offers a -very large- userbase where you can find answers to many -if not all- questions and problems you might have as a form of support. Also free of charge. For companies they offer a payable 'shortcut' to quick response for problems and aid.
When you buy a computer, with a Windows OS by MS, you also bought the OS. MS has charged the manufacturer a fee for allowing them to install this OS. And so you bought the OS and the support for the OS, through your manufacturer, from MS.
So the support from MS is not free of charge.
And if if weren't for the likes of Ubuntu e.a. that wonderful 'extended' period of 13 years would have been shortened long ago. If MS would have had it's way of it, you would have bought a new OS every 4 or 5 years. AND the accompanying hardware for it, because the new OS wouldn't like to have to steep so low with 'old processors' and such 'little memory'.
Only those dratted nerds with their pesky free OS's and free browsers like Firefox and such make it hard for honest businesses to turn a meager profit. It's a darned shame they have to compete and offer such ridiculously long support periods.
how much does Ubuntu charge
how much does Ubuntu charge for their support? If 13 years of their support costs less then the OS of MS you may have a point. :)
As for the rest, how do you know that is what MS would have done? stating as fact your conjecture based on your dislike of a company (deserved or not) isn't very useful to a discussion.
Does it matter? As for your
Does it matter?
As for your interest in having a useful discussion. Look at your comparison in support costs between the two OS's. That's how serious you come about, and why I think you are anything but.
I'm sorry you feel that way.
I'm sorry you feel that way. And I'm sorry if I upset you. I don't like hate, be it for a person, company, or belief. I feel it is counterproductive and I strive to avoid it. I tend to get sarcastic when I think someone else is falling prey to it. :)
You didn't. Which hate? Oh,
You didn't. Which hate? Oh, you were sarcastic in comparing the two. Or about the useful discussion. No worries, I try not to fall prey to hateful.
Comparison
In your comparison of support costs 'all' versions of software 'cost' something. Nothing is as free as you claim. There may be people that do some support and you as the person on the other end may not pay for it but its just like 'freeware' its not free. The time and effort by the person who worked to perhaps solve your problem had to spend 'their' free time to research your problem and come up with a solution. Just like Erin, Piper and any others that help with this site their time cost them money or family time to keep it running. Plus those that do work on the software must submit it for evaluation if its to be included in any newer version of updates. Why? It has to be validated to be bug free as much as possible.
So no software is truly free. It's cost someone something.
Actually...
Actually, there are a number of companies who pay employees to write and support Linux.
Anyhow, we're not talking about personal support. We're talking about keeping the software maintained so that the mant multiple millions of people who purchased it can continue to use what they bought.
Imagine buying a car, and finding that it can no longer be licensed for use on the road after thirteen years. We're nit askinf MS to provide free tech support. we just want it to continue to be usable.
Well, it is usable, it's just
Well, it is usable, it's just vulnerable to attack, and have problems with new programs. My company has a computer that uses Windows XP but it has never been hooked up to the internet, it's just used to run instruments. So a lot of business (big or small) can still use their computer but only for none internet things. People who have it for personal computers or in a business for something that needs the internet will have a problem, and I feel sorry for them. I'm also amazed that they had a computer that is still working after 13 years! (or I guess five since they stopped selling it) my computers usually end up crashing as soon as they come out of the box (well, at least that's how it seems to me :P )
To use your analogy I guess it is kind of like having a old car that no longer meets the state inspection requirements. Though my personal belief is that the thirteen years is more like having a warranty, Try finding a car that has one that long, or even a house! ;)
I think most likely you will find some company somewhere will start selling maintenance support for Windows XP, It sucks that people will most likely have to start paying for it but that's just how it goes sometimes.
Free linux
Not all versions of Linux are free, many enterprise versions, like Red Hat charge a subscription fee and most that I know of do not continue to support their flavor indefinitely. Mint I believe supports updates for each version for something like 18 or 24 months.
Have delightfully devious day,
Mint
Mint LTS (Long Term Support) is good for five years. Some time in that five years, we recommend that you avail yourself of a free upgrade.
not all linux's are created equal that is free
only some linuxs are free, you can buy some, and what you are buying is the compiling and packaging and SUPPORT. instead of just web support from those who are working on it for free, but a company who has worked on it and will give you support on their version of the compilation. they cant charge a license fee as it is open ware, so they charge for the compilation and support, unless something has changed since i last purchased a linux retail package?
Terri
Teresa L.
Word around some ...
... of the largest haredware manufacturers is that rhe replacemrnt for Windows8 is at most 18-24 months away.
How log has Windows8 been availible, oh and there are the compatibility issues with 3rd party proprietary software that some companies use, that has to be rewritten.
For example WISSEN, Signmaking software for sign design and production at affordable prices, Wissen is just one compay I know to have had that problem.
I wasn't just rambling about me personaly or about home users in grneral, there are small business that may not in the present financial climate be able to afford to upgrade.
This has a knock on effect that we don't always see until hunderds maybe thousands become unemployed!!!
Also 30 Jan 2007 saw the official release of Vista, MS has been averaging a workstation/desktop OS every 2 years.
Ok may be I was unkind to Billy Boy, and for that I apologise.
The replacement...
for Windows 8 is already available. It's Windows 7. :)
Hopefully, Windows 9 dumps the awful tablet interface. It took two of us in the office 3 minutes to figure out how to connect to our wireless internet.
Chances
Chances are that Windows 9 will only work on the interface. The problem is that whether its a desktop with Linux, Windows or some other software, large desktop and laptops are going away. It won't happen overnight but tablets are working their way into being the replacements just like desktops worked their way into replacing mainframes.
Even though there will be a need for them they will become a much smaller base. Its just a matter of time. Even Microsoft's CEO admitted he was slow in realizing that smartphones with their apps and touchscreens would become a driving force against them.
So don't expect any new version of Windows to go back to the old ways. As for Linux and the others they to will be forced to change.
The future
Casual users, or those that don't do much beyond web browsing, listening to music and creating the occasional Office document will readily latch onto the tiled interface (variously called "The Windows 8 UI" or "Modern UI" since a German company took exception to "Metro") that Microsoft are promoting.
However, there are plenty of applications which don't easily translate to the interface - either in terms of user interface or language. For anything that requires any degree of precision over cursor positioning you're going to need an external pointing device (fingers are far too big and fat to be precise - never mind that your fist will be obscuring a sizeable portion of the screen). Power users also want to be able to run multiple applications simultaneously and position them where they darn well want, rather than only having up to three open in fixed positions.
I can understand having a tiled interface only on phones, phablets and tablets (which generally have very little in the way of connectivity to external peripherals), but for conventional notebooks and desktops I'd consider it logical to have something resembling a conventional desktop as well - especially as the only way to install applications on the tiled interface is through the Windows Store, which immediately makes any software you own on physical media unusable.
Unfortunately, despite the widely varying hardware specifications and screen sizes across phones, phablets, tablets and conventional PCs; it seems increasingly as though "One UI to rule them all" is the current trend. Will software manufacturers have to design software that's scalable (both in terms of functionality and display) across all platforms, or will they be able to specify which platforms the software's offered on? Microsoft's not the only company following this school of thought - Canonical are thinking along similar lines with Ubuntu Edge, and it's possible the GNOME developers may be thinking along similar lines (hence why the old GNOME 2 codebase was forked into MATE, while another team also built a more traditional desktop on top of the GNOME 3 libraries as an alternative to GNOME Shell). The other major Linux desktops: KDE, Xfce, LXDE, don't appear to be going down the same route.
As the right side of the brain controls the left side of the body, then only left-handers are in their right mind!
Correct
Market share will be the primary force that rules the interface. Yes the majority of consumers are in the business sector which is part of Microsofts bread and butter. The home user has always been a fickle group of people.
Back when 95 was first successful not many company's latched onto the interface. Why? Because of the fact that their software could not be ported over so easily. It would be years with Windows 98 to help move the companies onto the scree. It was with better plug and play and windows management of 16 bit applications that Windows became successful. That and the strong arm tactics Microsoft used to push the software onto computers.
Now as you stated and are correct the user interface is not that great to be used with some older applications. Even with Microsoft releasing Win8.1 the start menu is a sham. I can't and won't use it on my computers because of how gamers use the interface along with other applications. Hopefully it will die a fast death like Vista. Not have yet to beat Millennium.
I resent the idea
that getting "shafted" is a bad thing. Doesn't anybody here have any gay boyfriends? =|
Getting shafted
It's a good thing if you want it. It's a very bad thing if you don't want it.
It is MARKETING that drives change
Marketers entice us to CONSTANTLY want more - bigger - faster - brighter - etc. etc. etc. Hardware changes to accommodate the "needs" of the market and eventually software has to change to work properly with the up-dated hardware. We the consumers have been brainwashed into this never-ending cycle of up-grades. COULD we be satisfied with what we have? I'll leave that question to each of you to answer for her/himself.
with love,
Hope
Once in a while I bare my soul, more often my soles bear me.
Well, what would have
Well, what would have happened if the first cave man hadn't wanted to upgrade his flint cutting tool for a better, more dynamic, cutting tool that goes through woolly mammoth hide like *that*. :P
actually it is more the
Gaming side of things that drive the ever increasing cycle of upgrades. without gaming we would probably still be using 386 or 486 processors (measured in mhz not ghz and NO dual or more cores, lol) game programs push the limits of the hardware, who then must increase performance to work better, and so on. the OS game is more for making money, you can only sell someone the same OS so many times,and with piracy etc they have to come up with new versions to keep their employees, well, employed. support only uses a fraction of the resources that development does.
Terri
Teresa L.
On Linux
If you're a technophobe or have a lot of Windows-specific software, Linux may not be for you. If, however, you consider yourself to have intermediate or above proficiency and don't have many Windows-specific programs, it's worth giving Linux a go. Some Windows programs will even run on Linux using Wine (a compatability layer rather than an emulator) - check out the AppDB to see how others have got on.
Linux Mint is increasingly seen as the most suitable for new users (displacing Ubuntu since it started using the Unity Desktop Environment), but if you've got time, it's easy to check out various distributions ("distros" in geek-speak) as many are available as "Live CDs" (well, DVDs nowadays) - essentially an prepackaged install you can download and burn onto a CD / DVD / USB stick and boot into an almost fully functional version without touching your hard drive, so you can try before you commit to installing on your computer. Alternatively, many supermarkets stock Linux computing magazines, which will typically have several Live distros packaged onto a single DVD - these will boot into a menu, you choose the one you want to try out, wait for it to load then have a play. The look and feel of different distros can be completely different: for a start, there's about half a dozen different Desktop Environments they may use (with funky names such as KDE, GNOME, Xfce, LXDE, Cinnamon and MATE).
Regardless of distro, one thing you'll probably find quite cool (apart from the fact it's free [as in beer] and works well on older hardware) is the built-in package manager: a lot of software you may want to use (and a lot you probably never would) can be found in a single application which will allow you to search for whatever you want to install, then automatically download and install it. The same program also handles updates - and unlike Windows Update, they rarely (if ever) force you to reboot; although with certain updates (e.g. the kernel, glibc) they might pop up a message along the lines of "You need to reboot your computer for glibc", but then leave you alone to decide if / when you want to reboot rather than nagging you endlessly (or even doing it automatically if you miss the postpone balloon).
As for myself, I'm a nutter and use Arch Linux - definitely not for newbies, as it installs to a bare command line then leaves you to follow a 26 page guide to setting up the rest of the system (the intention being you get to see more of what happens behind the scenes and only install what you want to).
As the right side of the brain controls the left side of the body, then only left-handers are in their right mind!
It's Apple who are the baddies
with their monopolistic visions.
In comparison, they make MS look like a big fairy giant.
The problem is that the Apple users like being shafted, just like turkeys like an early Christmas.