Microsoft Gives Windows XP Users Until 2014 To Switch To Windows 7

Those who complain about WinXP or Win7 crashing all the time and running like crap don't know how to build a proper PC and/or are using badly written software. My machines are put through their paces and run like a dream, even after years of operation.

Oh, and LOL at the poster who claimed Windows was "bad code". What was the last operating system you wrote?

Originally posted by CaticusMaximus
reply to post by itsatrap

 

They could have given it a service pack.

Again, money ploy, forcing you to upgrade. [/quote
Given what a service pack? Service packs are just that, not a complete architectural redesign.

reply to post by SuperManny


Until ......... along comes a spider , and sat down beside her, and spilled conficker
all over xp.

It's ok , but still very vulnerable

reply to post by john_bmth


I'm an Application Developer, and an IT Manager.
Years of experience and thousands of pc's say
that it is bad code.

It's riddled with vulnerabilities
/

Originally posted by rigel4
reply to post by john_bmth

 

I'm an Application Developer, and an IT Manager.
Years of experience and thousands of pc's say
that it is bad code.

It's riddled with vulnerabilities
/

edit on 14-7-2011 by rigel4 because: (no reason given)

I ask again, what operating systems have you written lately?

But seriously, the problems you've had with PCs says nothing about the OS. A well built PC from quality parts and tested configs (which isn't cheap) will run an MS OS no problems. Badly written applications, however, or poor quality builds are another story and not exclusive to MS by any stretch. My machines are fast and stable and I've had no problems whatsoever. Extrapolating the problems you've had as "bad code" from an OS perspective is a false premise.

reply to post by john_bmth


The problems I've had say everything about the os.

eg bad,bad code is exploited by hackers and malware.
to say nothing of (explorer has encountered a problem and needs to close).
In my opinion it has nothing to do with build, assuming the parts are not faulty.
Linux runs on pretty much anything, and there is always a performance boost over
windows on the same machine.
Then theirs patch Tuesday, patch the wholes and break who knows what else.
nuff said
Let's leave it that you're a believer and i am not.

Originally posted by rigel4
reply to post by john_bmth

 

The problems I've had say everything about the os.

eg bad,bad code is exploited by hackers and malware.
to say nothing of (explorer has encountered a problem and needs to close).
In my opinion it has nothing to do with build, assuming the parts are not faulty.
Linux runs on pretty much anything, and there is always a performance boost over
windows on the same machine.
Then theirs patch Tuesday, patch the wholes and break who knows what else.
nuff said
Let's leave it that you're a believer and i am not.

Your statement is falsified by the simple fact that I have built and used numerous PCs that run with no problems using the same OSs as you, so evidently the idea that Windows contains "bad code" because you've had problems is false. If you've had 1,000s of PCs passing through your hands and they all have problems then you're doing something very wrong.

Code is exploited by hackers. "Bad code" makes it easier but ultimately Microsoft don't have a crystal ball to be able to foresee every single exploit for every conceivable scenario so of course an OS with such a huge market share is going to be target more by hackers. It's like people who argue that Macs don't get viruses because the OS is superior. Nope, the user base of Macs has historically been too small for virus writers to really bother. Now that the user base has increased in recent years, suddenly the infallible Macintosh is getting some nasty viruses. Non-trivial software will contain exploits. People with a vested interest or incentive will find those exploits. This goes for every software/OSs that has ever written and will ever be written. As an application developer, I'm sure you're more than aware for non-trivial software development, bug-free code simply does not exist, no matter how skilled you are at software engineering. Refinement through rigorous testing will help with the majority of teething problems but if we could weed out all the bugs/flaws in the testing stages then there would be no need for tech support or updates. Alas, this is not the case

Linux is Linux and Windows is Windows. They are designed with different goals and this is reflected in the usership. Windows will never be as mean and lean as a Linux distro because they are not trying to meet the same goals. Never have, never will.

Saying "Windows has bad code because I've used Windows machines that have had problems" is an absurd statement. XP and 7 are fine operating systems, they ave their place as do Macs and Linux machines. I don't care for fanboyism but credit where credit is due, making bold assertions that are so patently absurd is wreaks of blinded fanboyism. If an architecture came out tomorrow that had the same level of software support, better stability and performance for less than the price I pay for PC components then I'd migrate next upgrade like a shot. This isn't the case, so for the time being PCs are fitting the bill.

...or maybe as a developer you're just jealous that Macs and Linux don't have a dev environment as dope as Visual Studio + Visual Assist X (joke)

Here is a few things to give the linux people something to think about…..

computer-forensics.sans.org...

Over the past several months, the Information Security Office has been noticing an increase in compromises and we do not think it is simply because the students have returned from their summer hiatus. Perhaps the most interesting thing about this increase is that it affects only Unix/Linux platforms. Talk about a group of Sysadmins who have become overconfident and have so loved telling MS users “If you would just run a secure OS…”. I have actually been waiting for a couple of years to see something like this. It is interesting that it finally happened, but more interesting what is happening
............
The systems that were compromised were all UNIX/Linux systems, and several of them had great system administrators.
.........
When the Information Security Office went to investigate that machine prior to this machine being finished we couldn’t believe what we found. Linux/UNIX machines all over the campus are hacked in a similar manner.
..............
A colleague from another compromised campus related that the hacker once started a talk session with him and was actively hacking the system as he taunted the sysadmin.

computer-forensics.sans.org...

A system compromised ONE day after being installed!

And plenty more where those come from!
computer-forensics.sans.org...

The only decent patch for windows is................
Patch the whole lot with Linux, thus ending the misery that
is Micro#e.

reply to post by Mr Tranny


The security and invulnerabilities that fanboys are so proud of either linux or apple or whatever are largely fictional and only appear to be real just because their system of choice hasnt gained popular appeal as a target.

In the same way I can say that my rusted Yugo with three flat tires is impervious to thieves.

If your system of choice becomes a target there really isnt too much you can do. Even the most careful and security minded operators would sooner or later fall victim.

I'm pretty sure that most Redmond fan boys only slate and berate
Linux, because they are afraid they won't be able to use it properly,

I've been using XP for years both at home and, at work - where I work we still have (literally) thousands of Win XP machines running... I like it, not had too many problems and the only time we've had serious issues with it it's been down to peeps loading a computer magazine CD with all of the dodgy programs they contain (they can't do that now...)

They are just getting round to the idea of Win 7 (some of us have been running that since it's first release for a trial) and again I like it.

XP and 7 have been quite stable (boot up Monday morning and shut down Friday night and no crashed in between)

However, I have been trying out the most recent Linux OS's - and I quite like it... I could easily see why you would dump Windows and switch to Linux - much improved from the Linux I tried years.

42

reply to post by 42dragonfly


Give them a try you'll not regret it.

Originally posted by beauty from pain
I LOVE my Windows XP. I'm old-school and I think Windows 7 is garbage. My personal opinion, of course, but I have never had a single issue with the XP OS.

Garbage? Have fun with the less security on ol pos xp...most people that dont like windows 7 have crappy computers

Why stick with XP? It's already bought and paid for. Same reason why I drive a 10 year old car. Still works, still gets things done. Considering some other things used with the computer, an OS upgrade would also be more expensive than just the cost of the OS. I also use a lot of old "outdated" software that is still very effective in doing what I need it to do.

Of course there's always Linux. (I keep an eye on it, but still it's not that compelling. And I started out on computers in the 8-bit era - so I'm "OS agnostic".) But then again, despite it being a free alternative - the hardware and non-OS software are still keeping me on XP. More software than hardware, but even then when it comes to certain key drivers like wifi - the Linux developers have completely failed to provide anything that actually works in a convenient manner. (If getting something setup in grub takes more work than doing a major regedit and .dll copypasta job in windows, there's still a major failure to provide something actually convenient to the user. Sorry 'nix gurus, but you still need to try harder!)

As for security? I don't keep unnecessary ports open on the router, disable scripting when it's not needed (not just browsers, but browser plugins and things like Adobe Reader), keep a decent AV on it, don't run software which I don't trust, disable autoplay, etc. Just like my old car having less in the way of theft deterrent systems than newer models, but then again I don't go leaving the keys in it while it's parked either nor do I let any mere acquaintance drive it. Treat the computer in the same manner, and in most cases you intentionally have to do something stupid to get hacked or infected.

On a side note, there are things like kiosk and POS computers that still run Win98. And I've seen workshop and diagnostic system computers that still run Win 3.1. (The computers themselves are even relics.) Definitely no longer supported, but good luck finding the programs they use on those machines for any cheaper that work under newer OSs... And if it ain't broke...

I have tried numerous times going to Linux. While arguably it is a better operating system, the software and hardware support is crap and in my opinion - many of the advantages are slight to non-existent for the average user. I keeping going back to Windows 7. It baffles me as to why so many people have problems with windows then claim they have no problems with linux... HOW!?

Try changing graphics processors from AMD to Nvidia for a start. You need to edit a configuration file else you get no display. WTF.

Windows XP is old and shouldn't be developed for by 2014.

If you want to want to bash a computer company, bash the bloatware companies like HP put on there laptops, the crap tech support of these companies, as well as the shoddy business practices of Intel. Microsoft are a freaking pansy compared to these!

Originally posted by Evanzsayz

Originally posted by beauty from pain
I LOVE my Windows XP. I'm old-school and I think Windows 7 is garbage. My personal opinion, of course, but I have never had a single issue with the XP OS.

Garbage? Have fun with the less security on ol pos xp...most people that dont like windows 7 have crappy computers

Windows 7 is extremely responsive in my $400 el cheapo netbook. The same motherboard and processor costs $99 in a desktop formfactor. You don't need a fast computer to run Windows 7.

I did however, have to spend over 5 hours deleting the crap that HP installed on the computer from the factory. It was extremely unresponsive before I did that, but then again, that's not microsofts fault.

Linux runs on pretty much anything, and there is always a performance boost over
windows on the same machine.

LOL

BS


Try running any graphical program, asi n 3d, ever made.

Or try running an extremely intensive program like prime95 on linux then windows. The windows 7 system will likely be far more responsive.

Linux is far more secure than windows, but I have never had a problem with the security of Windows 7. Neither has anyone I know. I spend long times away from power points so I need good battery life, and Linux is presently massive inferior to Windows at this poin in that regardt. At least, until they fix the power regressions in the newer kernels which BROKE battery life.

I am doing a hardware related uni course, with a bit of software engineering thrown in. I can see why linux is used in software engineering - where things have to be secure and work every single time (i.e. car anti-lock brakes).... but for the home user or gamer? No way.


Also you said your an application developer and IT manager? I call shenanigans.

And not better in the fact that it stores all of your thumbnails in a central location, so the feds can easily see every picture you ever looked at. I'd sooner switch to linux than "upgrade" to Win7/8

ROFL.

Are you kidding me?

You are comparing operating systems based on how easy it is to find the thumbnails? Do you really think it's better to scatter them all around the place so they just have to run a search? Thumbnails have very specific dimensions so it wouldn't be hard even if they were not in a central location.

Why are you worried about "feds" going through your hard drive?


And why the feds? What about state police? Or don't they matter?


Just use ccleaner to delete them, btw.

I use OSX Leopard, and have used many other Apple OS's prior. I have never had any problems what-so-ever with Apple products. Does excellent with music production for me as well. As for Windows... I have had nothing but problems with all their systems. I've tried to record music with XP in the past, and it would crash constantly only wasting my time, and making me beyond frustrated. I finally said to hell with Microsoft and started using Linux on the laptop, then shortly after bought a Mac, and it has worked like a charm ever since. But then again Linux and OSX are both Unix BSD based operating systems (unlike Windows), and I am sure that's a major reason for their great stability. Not getting any viruses or spyware is also a major plus too! With windows XP... I have had nothing but nightmares over the years, too many to count. Vista was just ridiculous too, and I haven't even bothered trying Windows 7. Doubt I ever will, and I am just fine with that. How Microsoft Monopolized the computer industry I will never know. It's just generic to me.

Originally posted by john_bmth
Those who complain about WinXP or Win7 crashing all the time and running like crap don't know how to build a proper PC and/or are using badly written software. My machines are put through their paces and run like a dream, even after years of operation.

One big problem is windows becomes fragmented in other areas then windows defragmentation works on.

Paging and Registry file fragmentation can not be fixed by window internal defragmentation program.

Put PageDefrag v2.32 on your computer and a lot of problems with windows will go away.
technet.microsoft.com...

Paging and Registry files fragment over time and in about 6 to 8 months you start having problems.