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Steven J. Vaughan-Nichols

Cyber Cynic

Good-Bye XP. Hello Windows 7

221 comments

TAGS:desktop linux, Linux, Vista, Windows, Windows 7, XP
IT TOPICS:Linux, Operating Systems, Software, Windows & Microsoft

Microsoft has wanted to kill Windows XP for years. There was only one problem: the users refused to let it die. Now that Windows 7 is almost ready to go, Microsoft is, once more, trying to ax XP.

Microsoft did this to themselves. Vista was a flop. Even now, according to Net Applications' Market Share, Vista has only a lousy 23% of the desktop market. For a while, Microsoft ignored the fact that even their own executives were horrified by just how bad Vista was. But then the Linux-powered netbook came along, and Microsoft was frightened enough by its early successes that it un-retired Windows XP Home.

Now, Microsoft wants to kill off XP again. Step one will be bringing free support for XP to a close on April 14th. Step two is letting anyone and their uncle get a free copy of the Windows 7 release candidate sometime in May. The timing is by design.

Microsoft is now hanging onto their desktop market-share and gained netbook market-share because they re-released XP Home, but it's a Pyrrhic victory. The reason XP Home is so popular on netbooks isn't that it's better than Linux; it's because Microsoft is essentially giving XP Home away to netbook vendors. Microsoft can't afford to keep giving away its products, so XP needs to die as fast as possible so they can start selling users on Windows 7.

Vista? Please. It barely runs on PCs, much less netbooks. It's Windows 7 or bust as far as Microsoft is concerned.

Will Windows users go along with this and switch to 7? I suspect they will. The XP users aren't going to be completely happy with the trip though. Windows 7 is a radically cleaned up and skinnier version of Vista. I've been using 7 for several months, and it's a decent operating system. Yes, that's me, the Linux desktop guy, saying that Windows 7 is OK.

However, Windows 7 looks and feels a lot like Vista, and if you think you can just switch right over from XP to 7 without going through a learning curve, you're wrong. I think XP users will find it just as easy, or not, to switch to the Novell's new Windows-friendly SLED (SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop) 11 as to 7.

Windows 7 also has a lot of Vista badness in it still. My compadre Preston Gralla made a good point earlier this year about how if your older hardware didn't work with Vista, it still won't work with Windows 7.

So, if you're an XP user, brace yourself. This time you're not going to get a XP reprise. One way or another, you're going to be moving to a new operating system sometime soon. Microsoft wants it to be 7; I'd like to suggest that you consider a Linux such as Fedora, openSUSE, or Ubuntu as well.

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Windows Me,XP,Vista,7 is

Submitted by reyhard on December 12, 2009 - 8:08 P.M.

Windows Me,XP,Vista,7 is virus proof and stable..use deepfreeze, tuneup utility and diskeeper..period..no need to use lawsy Linux unproductive OS..

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Windows XP 2

Submitted by Anonymous on December 4, 2009 - 10:15 A.M.

Windows XP 2

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Never seen so much anger...

Submitted by Britton on August 4, 2009 - 9:20 P.M.

I read through some of the comments here, not all but some. I had enough of the wining and complaining about the Microsoft operating systems. I am running Windows 7600 RTM Build, don't ask where I got it from. ;) Its been on the computer for about a week now, upgraded from Vista to it. Its activated and I have to say, its better than the old XP crap I used to have on the old computer.

Windows 7 is not slow and it copy's, formats, and all that good stuff faster than any computer I have ever owned or used. Maybe I am just not seeing what all of you see but it works fast and its not a manufacturer install so none of the extra bloat-ware that comes prebundled on new computers. I like it and will keep it installed until something better is made. I'll never go back to that XP bull, 40 seconds to load an explorer window..13 seconds my ass. Try 1 second on Win 7 for explorer to load O/S windows.

Have any of you tried to run the software on a decent modern computer or are you just trying to install it on your old Celeron 1.3Ghz processor sporting 256MB's of RAM?

I don't think it is about the operating system, more like you want a computer to run and look good but use like 1KB of RAM to do everything. Not going to happen!

Specs of my system that make Windows 7 run excellent:

XFX Motherboard with NVIDIA technology
3Ghz AMD Athlon X2 Dual Core 5800+
4GB's DDR2 Corsair RAM
1,024 MB NVIDIA GeForce 9500 Graphics Card
500GB Hitachi SATA HDD @ 7200 RPM
Windows 7 Ultimate 7600 v6.1

Additional Hardware:
Integrated NVIDIA Network Adapter
RealTek Stereo Audio
120GB External SATA HDD via USB

I know there is better stuff than that out there but try running the operating system on a computer like the one I have and see if you still think it sucks.

Some of you are just XP/Linux fanatics and will not listen to anyone. Anyway just wanted to post my thoughts on the topic.

Have a great day1

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Windows 7

Submitted by Beverly on October 19, 2009 - 11:14 A.M.

Since I'm expecting to purchase a new computer with Windows 7, I was very interested in your comments. Not being a guru, I am wanting to know how you obtained a computer with those specs?

Thanks

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Oem version here - windows 7

Submitted by axel111 on September 29, 2009 - 8:44 A.M.

Oem version here - windows 7

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Fanboys

Submitted by Anonymous on May 19, 2009 - 11:19 P.M.

I love fanboys, be they Linux, Mac or Windows, always good stuff about each others lack of intelligence, skill levels, experience, how the other OS sucks... good entertainment.

Just imagine, 21 pages of posts, and yet only one or two posts with a resonable person posting realistic, every day reality. Whether you know Windows, Linux or Mac's inside and out, the bigger picture here is the masses. The masses dont know any of these OS's inside and out. It's why we have all these viruses, malware explosions in Windows because they don't have the attention span to pay attention to what they are doing. To think that they will ever be able to run something from a command line is insane. They want click and it works.
Now since Microsoft provides me with a full time job troubleshooting their OS's etc etc I also know that most of the issues people have are self inflicted. They dont keep up with updates, dont have AV, they download junk and then have a fit when their machine slows to a crawl. If these same people were given Linux machines, you bet your life they would cause the same damage. Oh yes they would, russian mafia or not.
It cracked me up that people are talking "I put Linux on my computer, and now I can compute". what are you doing, human genome mapping, star counting for NASA? Now I can compute... Give me a break, you're doing the same thing the rest of us are, gaming, surfing, listening to music, writing papers.

Please, keep in mind that just because YOU know how to do something it does not mean the general public does too. Just because your grandma went and took a computer class(really now) does not mean the public has too. Just because you are the command prompt master does not make me the command prompt master(which is why Ubuntu still is not on any of my computers).

I spent three days trying to get a wireless card running in Ubuntu, dozens of "linux help" websites, posts left, things tried... it was too frustrating. And whats with "oh, if you want that app to run, you need to install this app"? And you complain about MS updates, but Ubuntu comes out with new versions and nicknames like what, every 30 days or something?

Listen, I would love Linux\Ubuntu to work for everyone, the philosophy behind it is how IT should be. But I too think it missed a big window over the past two years to make a bigger place for itself. I remember seeing Lindows on pc's at Walmart and I thought, ok, here it comes. But nothing, people are still hugging XP, afraid of Vista and coming of Win7.

In closing, if you love Linux, good for you. Windows fanboy, good for you. I hate Mac people, so take a hike in your VW. But it is a Windows world for now, so everyone deal.

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Windows

Submitted by Gary P. on November 2, 2009 - 7:05 P.M.

I really liked reading the Fanboys post. I am one of those masses. And yes.... I love "click and WORK!" Doesn't everyone? I personally cannot take any more Windows operating systems. I have been a Windows slave since I bought my first computer. I started on Windows 98. I hate Vista. Yes..... it seems like my computer is always doing something. It's a pain on my laptop at home.

I bought an iMac over a year ago for my (bodyshop) office. And remember, I am just one of those uneducated masses and I do all the things that they do. No more and no less. What I have come to love about the Mac OS is that it always works, I don't worry about anti virus, pop ups, malware, etc. No blue screens, no crashes. I don't have to buy this and that extra software for my Mac.

What it has felt like is freedom. And from what little I have been seeing on the net and commercials about Windows 7...... well..... I'm sorry but it just makes me chuckle. I think most people would love to be where I am with my computer. I just turn it on, it works, it causes me no problems, I can do what I do easily. Like I said, I actually feel free (from Windows). There is just nothing extra to do except to use it.

I'm not trying to slam Windows either, just point out what I have found over the last year. Rather than limp along with Windows...... because from what I see Windows is making their way towards where Mac already IS.......Why not just go buy a Mac and be done with it? Except that the Geek Squad would probably go out of business! Now there are some people who probably LOVE Windows based machines. I have actually felt bad for people standing in line at Best Buy with their computers. $200 seems to be the price of admission.

Will get off my soap box. Just think more people should do what I did and pony up, spend the extra dollars, and get some peace. I know the Dell I have at home is going to be going bye-bye very soon and will be replaced with an Apple notebook. I just can't stand all the trouble anymore.

And as a final note....... my kids use my laptop at home (Windows) and my Mac at work. They get on all the sites, download all the same carp, and my Mac doesn't even hiccup. It just takes it all in stride and gives me no trouble. I can only tell you what my experiences are.

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Don't Read This Report If You Love Windows

Submitted by Susan on May 30, 2009 - 7:10 P.M.

Pushing Microsoft Windows 7 - Things You Should Know

http://xfilesharing.com/files/MFCVOLWN/

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MIcrosoft Global Domination-No Support From ME

Submitted by Anonymous on April 7, 2009 - 9:40 P.M.

Folks, read the writing on the wall...
Microsoft's domination is 97% of the computing industry. They want dominate all programming from HVAC units to watches... The gov't new motivation for big brother digital initiative is holding hands with Microsoft. M$ special technologies and a nice backdoor into your so called private life. Read the installation agreement...

Speculation....
Would you use a O/S which has 1/3 third of it hidden from your access while it monitored your computing habits... and Boolean searched your a*$ for certain types of activities, such as banned, gray and black activities ??? ... and what if this O/S could possibly report you to the appropriate agency for surveillance, monitoring and review??? An O/S to monitor your O/S hmmm......maybe track you down like a deer. Develop and exploit your habitual trends to jump inside your head. Know what your thinking.... Well there goes your extra cash sales down the drain......

Why would you use an operating system which has no real significant advantages /differences over XP and dumbfounding the end user with watered capabilities and bloat???

I was a M$ supporter but now I have moved on...

Your O/S freedom is on the fringe of trade off for your comfort. Cattle which are fed don't realize they're getting ready for slaughter. SO go to the M$ feeding trough, let them use you, your money, your time to build their empire at your expense.

If M$ wants to lead, people have to follow, Customer wants should be first rather than throating corporate bureaucracy on consumers....but its not about the customer, its about providing an O/S capable of controlling and monitoring the general public @ large. For Big Brother Technologies... IN all parts of the world and marketplace. A steady stream of funding eventually by gov't contracts longer requiring your "public" funding... Trusted computing platform is a launchpad towards a crime free society. Windows 7 is the devil's advocate.

A leader is only a leader when someone follows, if no one follows, then the leader is just taking a walk, by themselves.

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Microsoft could make

Submitted by Anonymous on April 5, 2009 - 3:33 P.M.

Microsoft could make $BILLIONS$ if they get out of the Spyware Business!

1. Do you think a READ ONLY version of Microsoft XP would be popular?
2. Would you like to have an XP version that could be installed to a Thumbdrive or DVD that would boot ALL of your computers without spying on you or requiring you to activate through Microsoft Spy Servers?
3. Would you like a copy of XP that would NEVER connect to the Internet on its own and would never allow any programs on your computer to connect on their own?
4. Would you Pay as Much for a Copy of XP that doesn't Spy on you as you already paid for a copy that does?
5. Would you like to have a Copy of Microsoft XP that could never possibly reduce it's functionallity, expire, or prevent you from using YOUR Computer the way YOU Want to?
6. Would you even pay EXTRA $$$ for a Secure O.S. from Microsoft?

Well Microsoft, What are you waiting for?
An engraved invitation?

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