Windows XP Support Lifecycle - The Truth
Submitted by Tom on Sat, 03/29/2008 - 11:22.
As this Microsoft page clearly points out, mainstream support does end April 14, 2009, but extended support (which includes security patches, the most important updates) does not end until April 8, 2014.
After 3 Service Packs, I really doubt I need more mainstream support. In fact, I'm not sure I even need Service Pack 3, as SP2 has been bery, bery good for me.
Since XP is already so stable and proven, security updates are all that anyone needs. So therefore, as far as I am concerned, XP is supported until 2014.
It is inevitable that many of us will have to go to Vista. All I am saying is that for now, Vista is at best half-baked. Furthermore, Service Pack 1 for Vista seems to have its own problems and it apparently does little to help with performance issues.
If you must get Vista, get one of the Business versions or Ultimate, and then if you want to "downgrade" to XP, you can legally do it for free.
Welcome aboard.
If you knew the development process of Vista, you would realize that it was likely doomed from the start. Two different teams, total scrap of 2 years work, then finally starting all over again - not a good way to start.
Comparing XP to Vista upgrade with the 98 to XP upgrade is not apples to apples - 98 (or actually ME) was the last of the OSs that were seeped in 16 bit code. XP was a newer version of windows 2000 which in itself was built on a much stronger 32-bit kernel. It actually WAS a significant improvement and worth the problems inherent in such a big step.
Vista, on the other hand is more like a 98 to ME upgrade. All of the truly important features such as WinFS were pulled during development, and what we really ended up with is basically XP with more security and less compatibility with hardware and software because of the sub-par development process of Vista.
Oh, and by the way, I have watched development of and used Microsoft OSs daily since DOS 3.3.
I'm happy if your Vista experience is good, and I really am way over the UI changes, but a year and half has gone by and there is still significant compatibility problems. Did you know that nVidia still has device driver problems? Lets not even go into the whole "Vista Capable" mess and the resulting internal letters lambasting Vista from Microsofts own executives. I doubt we have heard the last of these letters either; more are to be released as a result of the class-action lawsuit.
I like change if it results in greater productivity, but change only for the sake of change is a waste of time and resources, of which you will need significantly more of to run Vista at the same performance level as an XP machine.
I call it the way I see it too, I just think my glasses may be sharper. :) Seriously, though,thanks for the comments!
Ok, now before you go around calling Vista Half baked at best, and dismissing SP3 as mearly an accumlation of security fixes, you better check that out a little closer!
I was a Vista beta Tester and It is pretty much windows XP at heart with many 16 bit modules dropped to ease the transition into the 64 bit world. It's like slowly stepping into the bath tub instead of divind in head first. Most of the minor annoyances are due to Pilot error, and the rest like file copy limit and the like have been fixed.
Windows XP SP4 is Major, totally removing the secuirty center from SP2 and fixing the nightmarish High Definition Audio Problem that's been plaguing PC Support Tech for Months now. Now with SP3 intergrated with your XP install, you don't even need to put in a CD key upfront, as that's all completely changed. WGA 6 is much friendlier and runs much less often. (That's cause they ran out of CD keys tho, as for the reason of Sp2C)
If I remember correctly, People said the Same thing about XP from Win98. Cmon' Evolve or die, it's the way of this Electronic Wild West and those who stay too far behind only get left.
Learn the ins and out, ESP. If your getting your first computer! Those who learn XP for the first time now will only have to re-learn Vista, and yes, I curse it and hate change as much as the next guy, but at least MShad their head on straight, and take a look at majorPC Builders like Dell and HP, the use Vista for many reasons, not just cause MS wants them too.
*Steps down ffrom soapbox*
Sorry I'm long winded, but I don't think playing to the cries of frusterated users makes you point more accurate. Love the Blog BTW, I'll be a regular Subscriber from now on... But be warned, I call things like I see them!