Windows XP to be retired in 2008

[TechBear_Seattle]

Windows XP to be retired in 2008

Windows XP will stop being available on new PCs from the end of January 2008.

Microsoft is keeping to a plan to stop selling the operating system even though surveys show a lukewarm response to Windows Vista among consumers.

A poll by US market research firm Harris Interactive found that only 10% of those questioned were planning to upgrade to Vista in the near future.

All versions of XP, including those made for media centre or tablet PCs, are affected by the decision.

The article continues at http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/6551429.stm

If you hate Vista as much as I do, this will be your last year either to buy the only Microsoft alternative or switch over to Linux or Apple.

[Larkspur]

1. Where can I still buy XP?

The big retail stores, like Staples, only sell Vista.

[GregD]

2. ebay

[TechBear_Seattle]

8. Dell is one place

I don't know about buying it standalone, but it is still available when you buy a business machine (all home machines come with Vista, no option.)

[Strelnikov_]

10. The Egg

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2060350368%2050001149&bop=And&Order=PRICE

[Breeze54]

11. uh..how about online at Microsoft !

:rofl:

[enki23]

3. when will they stop supporting it,?

that's the bigger question.

[Breeze54]

12. Probably 5 to 7 years from now

2014 - 2016?

[Tesha]

18. Depends how sucky the sales of Vista are. (NT)

[Breeze54]

25. That was the

approximate time frame when they retired other OS's.
But I could be way off. I think that's what I read.
3.1, 95, 98, 98SE, ME and now, XP.

[Tesha]

34. Microsoft made some announcements...

Microsoft made some announcements in the last week or
two about how long /XP support will last, but I wasn't
paying enough attention to remember the details.

One thing they definitely did announce was that
paid support (corporate customers, etc.) would be able
to obtain support for a much longer time than we little
folk could obtain free support, so give in to the dark
side, install "Microsoft Genuine Advantage" (:)) now,
and get SP2 for /XP while you still can.

Tesha

[Breeze54]

37. Typical but there are plenty

of other places that will continue to support it, I'm sure.

Like Dial-A-Tech will still be carrying the ball.

Call us! 1-877-777-TECH (8324)
https://www.dialatech.com/dt_homepage.asp?cus=dat

Operating Systems - Supported Products

https://www.dialatech.com/footerpages/dt_wsupported.asp#OS

Supported Product -

Windows 98
Windows CE
Windows ME
Windows XP
Windows for Pocket PC
Windows 2000
Pocket PC
Mac OS X
Mac OS 9.1
Palm OS

Support Provided -

Provided:

System requirements for installation
Installation process
Upgrades
Troubleshooting
BIOS issues (enabling parallel or com ports, changing boot sequence).

---------------------------------

It's a long list of items but those are the OS supported.
I'm sure they'll add Vista soon, too.

[Justyce]

4. The programs my company uses supposedly aren't

compatible with Apple or Linux, or I'd definitely switch.... I haven't been overly impressed with Vista yet anyway, though I admittedly haven't had a chance to use it that much.

[Tesha]

20. Macintoshes now run Windows programs.

Through several different means, Macintosh computers
now run Windows programs.

Tesha

[Proud Liberal Dem]

39. Apple on Windows?

It would be NICE to be able to run Apple OS on Windows as well. Is this possible through the use of Virtual PC software?

[Tesha]

40. Right now, the MacOS Operating System is only licensed...

Right now, the MacOS Operating System is only licensed for
use on hardware provided by Apple (and there are some slight
technical features that enforce that restriction).

I don't know if hacks exist to bypass the restrictions; we're
happy running the MacOS on Apple hardware.

Tesha

[mainegreen]

5. I'm probably going all linux soon, where I now only use it on my servers.

[bagrman]

6. My Laptop with XP is more trouble than my CPU with 98.

When you google Vista, and find a blog or two, their not to hip on the new system . It seems that most of the future media coming out won't work with out it.

Latr

[acmavm]

7. In the computing world it's either Bill's way or no way.

[meegbear]

9. Oh yeah ...

no other operating system EVER phases out older versions and stops supporting them. Nosireebob.

[acmavm]

13. No other operating system was ever so crappy and full of bugs.

This is Bill's worst scam yet. Who else can put out defective crap and force the computing world to deal with it? And they're going to phase out the one's before it? That makes one quite the captive to Bill's crappy Vista operating system, doesn't it?

MY POINT IS THAT IF SOMETHING IS SHIT, IT SHOULDN'T BE FORCED DOWN THE COMPUTING WORLD'S THROAT.

NOSIREEBOB

[meegbear]

27. Then don't use it!

Get a Linux box and quit bitching.

[acmavm]

31. I'll quit bitching if you'll quit being such a snarfy ass.

[meegbear]

42. You first

[acmavm]

46. No.

[WhollyHeretic]

45. Windows ME

That thing was an absolute piece of garbage.

[acmavm]

48. Never had to use it.

[acmavm]

49. I thankfully never had to use that one.

[MonkeyFunk]

51. Correct

ME was the worst.

I've been very happy with XP, though.

[TechBear_Seattle]

22. Vista is a new paradigm and still very buggy

This is similar to MS retiring Win 95 in favor of Windows ME.

Vista's Aero interface is based exclusively on DirectX technology, which still a vast, bloated resource hog. That is why so many less powerful machines can not run Aero. Programs that use an application-drawn interface (perfectly legal under older versions of Windows, and something that MS used to promote heavily as a developer feature) have a disturbing tendency to crash under Aero, which is where many applications either will not work or crash frequently in Vista.

Vista has also been disassembled and a lot of very disturbing things have been found. Non-Microsoft video and audio programs are deliberately crippled. Video and audio files that do not carry MS recognized "authentication of legitimacy" get flagged, and there is code in the OS to delete all flagged files on the machine. There are several backdoors and even embedded spyware in Vista, so much so that Microsoft refused to give Symantec and McAfee access to the Vista kernel. The delay in releasing Vista enabled anti-virus software was because the OS itself contains code that looks and acts like viruses and trojans; all Vista compatable software made by Symantec and McAfee actually offer weaker protection to prevent the programs from destroying Vista code.

Vista is a fascist government's dream and the RIAA's fantasy come true. The only way Microsoft can push this piece of crap is by making all other Microsoft options unavailable. I will never, ever use Vista by choice and most certainly not at home.

[meegbear]

28. Then go Linux ...

Life sucks TBS.

[Name removed]

14. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Neshanic]

44. Yes that is very true. No argument there.

[Benhurst]

15. WOW!

More bad news from the assholes in Redmond, Washington.

[Prophet 451]

16. Entirely predictable

This is Microshaft all over: Vista isn't selling as well as we hoped so let's remove the alternatives.

Hey, Linux guys: I'm mostly a stratergy gamer. Which distro would you recommend?

[Irreverend IX]

30. Try Ubuntu.

http://www.ubuntu.com

It works with a lot of hardware, and it has one of the best interfaces of any distro. You can even boot it from a live CD to try it before you install it on your hard drive. If you want to play windows games, there's a Windows emulator called Wine, and there's also a special version of Wine called Cedega that's designed just to run games. I know people have gotten Starcraft and Civilization to run without problems. I've heard there's a very popular Linux-native strategy game too.

[KillCapitalism]

17. XP till I die for me.

My current XP config runs exceptionally well, and Vista is a huge turd, so I won't be changing anytime soon.

[Breeze54]

26. That's the way I see it too.

I haven't had any XP issue's, unlike; WIN ME- Tweak and Reboot daily.
But even that was a free copy, so couldn't complain. Price was right. ;)
But I may try LINUX next time or on my other computer.

Welcome to DU! :hi:

[FogerRox]

32. My 160mb of ram laptop

running Win 2000 is faster than my 8 month old laptop w/512mb ram, though I have yet to optimize it ....

On my old laptop "WORD" pops up, on my new laptop, it takes at least.... 30 seconds.

Next purchase, a G-5.

[Lobster Martini]

19. Any thoughts on Vista vs. Mac OS X?

Never used an Apple--in terms of functionality, what's the difference between Vista and Mac OS X? And I'm presuming--having done about five minutes of homework on Apple's Web site--that OS X Tiger is the current version and OS X Leopard is a new version?

(I'm not even going to consider Linux. My head will explode and ruin a perfectly good hat.)

[Tesha]

24. A few thoughts...

> And I'm presuming--having done about five minutes of homework
> on Apple's Web site--that OS X Tiger is the current version
> and OS X Leopard is a new version?

Yes, Tiger (10.4) is current and Leopard (10.5) is imminent
(June?).

At this point, Macintoshes are starting to look like a reasonable
alternative even for people who were previously stuck by the need
to run some programs that were only available for Windows. Because
of Apple's switch to x86- ("Intel-") architecture chips, you now
have three good alternatives:

o Arrange your Mac so it can dual-boot, running either Windows
or the MacOS (using Apple's "Boot Camp").

o Arrange your Mac so it can simultaneously boot Windows
and the MacOS, sharing Windows windows on the ordinary MacOS
desktop screen (using "Parallels Desktop").

o Run a pretty wide range of popular Windows programs while
only booted into the MacOS (using a commercial version of "WINE"
which I think is called "CrossOver Mac"). This last one is
attractive because, if your Windoes programs are supported,
it will run them without the need for you to buy a
Windows license of any sort. The other alternatives require
you to buy a copy of Windows, and only the highest levels
of Windows are officially licenseable onto "virtual machines"
so officially, you need to buy a pretty costly license for
Parallels Desktop.

Tesha

[Poiuyt]

29. It looks like they are pushing the release of Leopard back to October

They been using all their resources to get the iPhone out on time.

[Breeze54]

21. Top 10 Windows XP Tips Of All Time

Top 10 Windows XP Tips Of All Time

http://www.techweb.com/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=159300003&cid=Answers

Apr 21, 2006 01:35 PM

With Vista at least seven months away, we'll all be using Windows XP for some time to come.
TechWeb proudly presents our all-time favorite Win XP hacks, tips, tricks, and fixes.

By George Jones, TechWeb

Despite all the hoopla about the introduction of Windows Vista, the truth of the matter is that
the new OS isn't due for at least another seven to nine months — and it will probably be even
longer before most of us start adopting it. Meanwhile, we've still got to deal with Win XP.

In order to make the waiting easier, we've decided to assemble the greatest tips in the history of Windows XP.

Here you'll find the tips that give you the most bang for your buck; that are most useful in terms
of security, functionality, and PC performance; and that are just plain cool. ;)

Top 10 Windows XP Tips Of All Time

• Tip 10: Halt background services to improve performance.

• Tip 9: Increase available disk space by scaling back System Restore.

• Tip 8: Scrub your hard drive clean.

• Tip 7: Run two displays on the same PC.

• Tip 6: Force unresponsive applications to close at shutdown.

• Tip 5: Automatically optimize your hard drive.

• Tip 4: Set a custom resolution.

• Tip 3: Stay on top of registry changes.

• Tip 2: Recover lost data.

• Tip 1: Automatically log when and why shutdowns have occurred.

• Bonus tips!

• Image Gallery

[Seedersandleechers]

23. I switched over to Apple a few months ago

When I bought my first macbook. Switching was not a problem as OS X is totally logical in comparison to windows. At least for me it was....

[Adelante]

36. I agree on that

I'm a fairly recent mac user, too. It was a very quick adjustment. I was surprised, because I somehow thought I wouldn't have had enough know-how technically, but that wasn't the case. On XP, I thought it was a very good OS (I still use it on a laptop), especially compared to previous Windows versions. Compared to W98, XP was a miracle. I haven't used Vista. I do prefer OS X to all I have used, but I'm not entirely sure what that is about. Maybe the logic of the OS, as you say, but the whole experience is somehow more steady, more stable and secure. I've had a few hardware problems with Apple, but the operating system itself is superior to Windows in my judgment.

[Speck Tater]

33. I'm still using Windows 98 and driving Car 92 and watching TV 87

If it works, why replace it? If it ain't broke, why fix it?

I'll be damned if I'm going to be a cash cow for Microsoft, jumping through every sparkly new hoop they hold up in from of me.

[youthere]

35. You know what? Microsoft can kiss my ass..

My next computer will be a MAC.

[in_cog_ni_to]

38. I wonder how this will affect updates to XP? When my laptop dies,

I'm going to an Apple. I've had enough of Microsoft and crashing and constant updates which make you crash again...update...crash...update...crash. I must get kicked off-line 8 times a day, at least. It makes me want to throw my 'puter across the room. The ONLY reason I haven't switched to a MAC is the PRICE (they're expensive..cause I want a laptop) and I know NOTHING about them. It took me years to teach myself what I do know about my PC...which isn't much.:( Having to learn another system would be a MAJOR challenge by this computer illiterate.

[Adelante]

41. No, sweetie

If I can do it, you can do it, believe me. Did you know there is a Mac group on DU? You should read there a while before you invest.

[in_cog_ni_to]

47. I don'y know about that! I'm REALLY, REALLY, REALLY computer illiterate.

:) My son, at 3 years old, knew more about a computer than I did (because he learned computer in PRE-SCHOOL!). HE is why we bought a computer in the first place. He made us feel STUPID for not knowing how to use one.:)

I WILL check out the Mac group. I didn't know it existed! That should help. Thanks!:hi:

[Selatius]

43. I'm sticking with Win2k. It's stable; it fulfills my needs; and I don't need all the bells/whistles.

I think it's less bloated than XP or Vista, but I could be wrong.

[Adelante]

50. Win2K was good also

I forgot about Win2K. For some reason I preferred XP, but I don't remember now what it was. In both cases, the difference in stability from W98 was major.