Microsoft Counts Down To XP Death 766
mikejuk writes "Microsoft have just released an end-of-support countdown gadget that ticks off the days until XP is no longer supported — but it only runs under Vista or Windows 7! It focuses the mind on the fact that XP is being forcibly retired. It is a wake-up call to think hard about the unpleasant situation and consider the alternatives.So as you watch the count down to XP's death tick by think about the problems created by using software that actually belongs to someone else..."
Re:derp derp (Score:1, Informative)
It's much nicer knowing software you depend on may be abandoned without notice.
How is this 'without notice' ? Microsoft has been warning us for some time that support for Windows XP will be ending soon, and there is nearly three years on the countdown timer, which is longer than the entire lifetime of some open source projects. Windows XP is 10 years old now, and will be 12 (nearly 13) when it is retired.
What percentage of open source projects that were released (not started) in 2001 are still actively supported now in 2011?
This is hardly 'without notice'.
Re:Hmm (Score:4, Informative)
How the hell is a company choosing, after _13 years_, to no longer support a piece of software "abuse of power"?
Nobody's forcing you to uninstall XP. You'll just have to come to terms with the reality that at some point it will no longer be supported.
Re:Uh, unless you're a programmer... (Score:1, Informative)
Ubuntu 8.04 LTS:
Redhat Enterprise Linux 6:
Just a quick glance tells me that Windows XP has had the best value, support wise from the vendor, than either Redhat EL or Ubuntu LTS - 12.75 years for 150GBP is fair value for money, I doubt I could buy a support package for either REL or Ubuntu LTS and get the same value.
People love to bitch about Microsofts prices, but from my point of view, just looking at the supported period puts it in perspective.
Re:derp derp (Score:4, Informative)
Ubuntu. You can just keep upgrading in place for 0. Debian is another, you could go get a 10 year old disk and if it would install dist-upgrade your way all the way up.
When did MS start giving XP users free win 7 disks?
Re:Really? (Score:5, Informative)
Except Microsoft is still selling XP. I mean new copies of it to day. I can still buy a PC that comes new from the factory with XP.
How long did Microsoft support 98 after it stopped selling it? Windows 2000?
That is the difference. Stop XP should have five years from the day they stop selling it.
Re:Uh, unless you're a programmer... (Score:5, Informative)
RHEL desktop self-support subscription is $49 a year. Windows 7 Home Premium is $200. Cost is roughly equivalent on a 4-year upgrade cycle, though RHEL support gives you more than a Windows license does.
RHEL Workstation self-support subscription is $179/yr. Windows 7 Pro is $300. Ditto on the qualification re: getting more.
If you're looking at a standard subscription for RHEL Workstation, it's $299 a year. Compare to the same level of support from Microsoft: probably Technet Pro, which is $349 for the first year and $249 for renewals.
How is the parent spreading FUD when you're the one comparing apples to oranges? You're either misinformed, or being disingenuous. If it's the first, then I hope I've opened your eyes. If it's the latter, then GTFO.
Re:Uh, unless you're a programmer... (Score:4, Informative)
The windows license does not include support only updates. Phone support costs money, call MS and ask.
Re:Uh, unless you're a programmer... (Score:5, Informative)
XP was forced onto netbooks because Vista, and 7 are to much for netbooks, and MSFT forced manufacturers to install bigger processors and actual hard drives to get XP onto those machines.
Remember the first netbooks were a lot like the ipad in terms of hardware. small flash memories(4-8 gb) low power processors etc all running Linux. MSFT realized the threat and extended XP's life because that was easier than cutting down windows 7 to fit on the first few Netbooks.
The only thing that really surprises me much any more is just how easy people forget reality and their own history.
Re:Uh, unless you're a programmer... (Score:2, Informative)
There's some facts that need untwisting first.
1. You're comparing Red Hat to XP, but you seem to have used the price of Red Hat Enterprise Server. You should have selected Workstation.
2. Red Hat Enterprise Workstation with a 1 year standard support package, which includes unlimited phone support during business hours, and 1-4 hour responses for the two highest severity levels. Does XP Professional come with that level of support?
3. RHEW costs $300, or £180. XP Pro currently costs $300, or £180. Did XP Pro cost more when it was first released?
Got any more numbers that "don't lie"?
Re:Uh, unless you're a programmer... (Score:3, Informative)
I laugh at your naive assessment that competing/alternate Linux vendors/contributors will support something that isn't theirs. If SuSe or Red Hat goes belly up tomorrow, or it's announced it will no longer be supported, you seriously expect that someone will *100% for sure* support it to the level required by an enterprise customer?
Far more likely things will change in much the same way as the dropping of support for XP changes things.
Just look at the recent situation with Open Office.
I agreed with one of the other posters here - open source software is great, but the needlessly flamebait summary just makes me cringe, and speaks of a laughably uninformed or wilfully ignorant person who seems to think that "software that doesn't belong to someone else" in a thinly-veiled dig at closes source software is the only type that is affected by end-of-life issues. And no, "I can support it myself because it's open" just doesn't cut it (although it is a benefit, clearly).
So, if my Ubuntu install is left out in the cold, say the PPC version (not officially supported any more), there are "lots of others" who will provide enterprise level support for it, to the same level as the current x86 branch? There are PPC builds, but they are off in the backwater and you're on your own with them.
Killing Windows XP (Score:3, Informative)
Micro$oft is killing Windows XP only because not enough users have switched to something newer.
Per W3Schools, Windows XP is used on 42.9% of computers while Windows 7 is used on only 34.1%.
Per StatCounter, Windows XP is used on 47.32% of computers while Windows 7 is used on only 30.6%.
(Both sets of stats from March 2011.)
The major problem is that I use software with Windows XP that will not run on Windows 7. Those applications do exactly what I want, but there are no new versions for Windows 7. Not only will I have the expense of upgrading Windows, I will also have the expense of replacing otherwise good applications.
Re:Really? (Score:2, Informative)
The ironic thing is that "consumer" versions of Vista will die 2 years before XP! Only Vista Business and Enterprise will be supported beyond 2012. XP will continue to get patches until 2014. They should have a countdown to the death of Vista!
Re:Uh, unless you're a programmer... (Score:5, Informative)
If SuSe or Red Hat goes belly up tomorrow, or it's announced it will no longer be supported, you seriously expect that someone will *100% for sure* support it to the level required by an enterprise customer?
Well, considering that Oracle will do that very thing for RHEL right now, I'd say the answer is obviously yes.
Re:Uh, unless you're a programmer... (Score:5, Informative)
Yup. Because if RedHat won't, and Novell won't... I will.
That counts as one of the best features of Linux. Company-X might not have any desire to help you keep an old box running and secure. But unlike EOL'd Windows versions, if we hear about a new critical vulnerability today, by tomorrow a patch will exist; and unlike Windows (EOL'd or not), it doesn't matter if that vulnerability affects Solitaire or the deepest recesses of the kernel, a sufficiently knowledgeable user still has the power (and legal right) to repair it.
So yeah, in many cases, it might make more sense to upgrade to a newer version. But if you absolutely, positively need to keep an old Caldera 2.2 box up and running, and have enough money to throw at me, we can keep that sucker up and running until the Sun swallows the Earth.