Completely off topic...but is Windows XP dead?

[Ral-Clan]

Exactly.

I have a relative that was still using my old Win 98se Dell, that I gave her 8 years ago, up to the begining of last year. She never went on the net and only did word processing and played a few games. I would imagine there is an army of people that are like this with XP.

I still use Windows XP and it does absolutely everything I need it to do (video editing, music, desktop publishing, 2D and 3D graphics, emulation, word processing, internet) - and I would say that I am a more intensive computer user than your average homeowner who just uses his/her computer for e-mail/internet and the occassional game.

I also have a couple of highly useful applications (i.e. Windows 98 era) which will still run on Windows XP but apparently won't run on later version of Windows.

I hope to be able to continue using XP even past 2014 if possible - I certainly still continue to use AmigaOS and I did use Windows 98 long past its support date (until about 2007).

In fact, I've been thinking about what will happen when / if I actually need to upgrade my hardware.  I'd like to find a more modern system that will STILL run Windows XP - mainly for the sole attraction of the additional CPU cores that will make my existing video editing software etc. even faster.

I wonder if you could even take a machine manufactured in 2012/2013, wipe the more modern OS and install Windows XP on it.

I have heard about the virtual machine support in the new versions of Windows.  This seems good.

I'm not really concerned about lack of software support once XP is no longer supported my MicroSoft - heck, if I did I wouldn't be using Amiga stuff as well.  I'm sure there will be a huge body of independent users and programmers still supporting Windows XP (you can still find good support and modern applications / hacks for Windows 98 if you look).

I've always been a fan of older software.  For example, I think a hard working, creative person can do more with an older version of Photoshop (or, heck, even DPaint) then a less motivated person can do with the latest cutting edge version.

So - is the ONLY really compelling reason to upgrade to a later version of Windows (if you're happy with older software) the lack of security patches?

[Ral-Clan]

I too like Windows XP but it is growing old with security issues that Windows 7 (for example) does not have.  When support for Windows XP end on 04/14, just watch the attacks fly!   The slime that write the virii and malware know how popular Windows XP is so they are going to prey on people who do not upgrade.  They know without MS supporting XP, it will be an easy target.

I read that Windows XP with just SP1 attached to the Internet can be remotely owned by someone in around 20 mins.


It was a great version of Windows that is sadly showing its age...

-P

That's so sad and I really hope it's not as bad as you say.
I really want to continue using XP for as long as possible.
I guess that's one advantage of a fring OS like AmigaOS. It's so on the fringes no one bothers to write malware for it.

I wonder if anyone's still bothering to write malware / attack Win98 computers.

[Ral-Clan]

The only thing about old versions of Windows is that Microsoft makes you activate them online.

This sucks if you are just installing it on a computer without an internet connection, or if there comes a day when Microsoft just won't support the old version AT ALL.

That's why I like 98 - you don't need to go online to activate it.

I wish there was some way to disable this online activation in XP for owners of legit copies who want to continue to use it long after support and registration servers are dropped.

I know there are probably cracked .iso images online but who wants to install a cracked version of Windows XP that is probably full of hidden malware?  I prefer to use a clean, OEM installation disc.

[Ral-Clan]

My biggest fear is that people will start taking control of my computer while I am deep at asleep at night.

Why don't you just unplug your modem or router when you are not using it?  That's what I do.  It gets unplugged every evening before I go to bed and usually doesn't get plugged in again until I get home from work the next day and need to check the internet.

Hackers can't break into your computer if there is no connection to the outside world.

Shaves a few cents on your electricity bill as well (every little bit counts).