Using Windows XP? Windows XP SP3 and Office 2003 Support Ends April 8, 2014

Just out of interest, what software only runs on XP? Apart from VB6 and other nasties no one should still torture themselves with?
 
Rouxenator said:
Just out of interest, what software only runs on XP? Apart from VB6 and other nasties no one should still torture themselves with?
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I can't think of any examples but it's generally software that's no longer supported.. oh the irony.
 
I run Virtual Box with XP and I only use it to access/debug prehistoric VB6 projects that we spent the last 8 months rewriting in C#.

The VB6 solution was written round about the same time as Windows XP was and a rewrite is long overdue. Hence you can understand where my apprehension for legacy software originates from.
 
In what industry do you need PCs that only have 1GB of RAM and a Pentium 3?

I really would love to know. Because I'd love to start up a company that forces those out of competition.
 
Good luck with that since they are one of the biggest companies in SA and I'm 99% sure you are using one of their products (can't say what it is).

An example. Customer has a rack of computers with custom software on. These 8 systems communicate with each other to perform a certain complex task in a factory. The system including software was imported lets say 5 years ago for lets say R600 000.

Over time one or two of the boards start to pack up (they do run 24/7 + 365). They then need to be replaced (keeping downtime to an absolute minimum). Each "node" is running XP. Customer does not need to import a whole new system costing them R100K + if they can replace certain components for lets say less than R10K.

And that is just one rack of lets say 10 ;)
 
70%+ of our customers use Linux, VXWorks or QNX on their embedded systems already.

But, there is always place for some Windows :D
 
Pity ReactOS has taken years and they are still in Alpha release. It has a massive potential user base.
 
Rouxenator said:
I run Virtual Box with XP and I only use it to access/debug prehistoric VB6 projects that we spent the last 8 months rewriting in C#.

The VB6 solution was written round about the same time as Windows XP was and a rewrite is long overdue. Hence you can understand where my apprehension for legacy software originates from.
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VB6 runs 100% on my Win 7 64 bit PC. No need for a VM.
 
Yes, it does, but at what cost? You require x86 hardware for that and compared to low power ARM systems it is not very power efficient. Some are still running on CRT displays, also not very lean on the watts. Just because it works does not mean it is good.

ATMs are running 24/7 so by design it would be in everyone's best interest if they were made as energy efficient as possible. There are plenty of better ways to run ATMs. Considering the vast amounts banks spend on their online banking systems I would opt for lightweight ARM based devices running a type of secure kiosk mode with a custom browser.

But hey, that would result is energy and development savings and it already works so who cares.
 
Rouxenator said:
Nothing is impossible, but why bother with an OS that is used by less than an eights of computer users? http://www.w3schools.com/browsers/browsers_os.asp
Before you point out that those are only online users, if you are offline then XP should be OK apart from the occasional flash drive virus.
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24.96% in November 2013. That's 25% of all Windows installations. That's still pretty darn significant. Consider that most of these systems are low resource systems and many of these people don't have money to buy new computers or Windoze 8 I think these people will definitely disagree. Why bother? From those peoples' POV and that's millions of people, the answer is obvious - because they use XP and now they will be restricted by an artificial limitation.

Installing Xubuntu, Lubuntu or even Chrome OS is way easier than installing XP and using it is even easier. They all have built in app stores so no more silly installs like in XP land. Hopefully many less tech savy users stuck on old hardware will take this path if they encounter issues with XP after support for it is pulled.
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I know lots of professional people in their 60s and up and they struggle with small interface changes in Windows. So I have to disagree with you. Why change something which works?

Obviously MS wants to make more money. That's the only significant reason. Now you're just mostly spreading hype, hype that MS and PC makers want to spread. They want to get people off Win XP and their slightly outdated computers, and to give them more cash to do what they currently do with a bit more bling. Computers and XP I guess are not failing quickly enough, to keep the parasites profiting.
 
Why is Rouxenator so anti consumer? Why do you hate all these millions of people so much?
 
Rouxenator said:
Yes, it does, but at what cost? You require x86 hardware for that and compared to low power ARM systems it is not very power efficient. Some are still running on CRT displays, also not very lean on the watts. Just because it works does not mean it is good.

ATMs are running 24/7 so by design it would be in everyone's best interest if they were made as energy efficient as possible. There are plenty of better ways to run ATMs. Considering the vast amounts banks spend on their online banking systems I would opt for lightweight ARM based devices running a type of secure kiosk mode with a custom browser.

But hey, that would result is energy and development savings and it already works so who cares.
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It probably costs more on the planet to produce new rare earth containing replacements, install them and so on, then it is to maintain the current machines.
 
LOL I guess I should chuck out my made-in-Japan NATIONAL microwave oven, purchased in 1987. It still works in a rock solid fashion. Maybe replace it with a cheap made in China piece of junk which will fail and pollute a landfill somewhere after 3 years.
 
Right, they find the slightest interface change confusing yet you also claim they are much more likely to use a tablet or phone, which not only has a different design and interface, it also has a different HMI implementation.

Maybe its best then to stick with XP, keep on doing things the way you are used to, the way that works and that you are comfortable with. What's the worst thing that could possibly happen? Why use Linux because then we can no longer hate Microsoft? Change... pffft, who needs to adapt!
2013-12-19_105720.gif

Edit : I used a '83 Sharp Carousel microwave until 3 years ago when the magnetron died.
 
Rouxenator said:
Yes, it does, but at what cost? You require x86 hardware for that and compared to low power ARM systems it is not very power efficient. Some are still running on CRT displays, also not very lean on the watts. Just because it works does not mean it is good.

ATMs are running 24/7 so by design it would be in everyone's best interest if they were made as energy efficient as possible. There are plenty of better ways to run ATMs. Considering the vast amounts banks spend on their online banking systems I would opt for lightweight ARM based devices running a type of secure kiosk mode with a custom browser.

But hey, that would result is energy and development savings and it already works so who cares.
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Actually CRT is more robust than LCD, they can sustain a lot more wear and still function than any other tech out there.

Also XP can be cut to a very small footprint I can get a full Windows XP install down to 300 MB on my Eee Pad. It still capable of running Office 97 and Photoshop CS2 as well. Trust me there are things the latest version of Windows can not do, hell even the ARM version of Windows 8 needs over 5 gig of install space.
 
Rouxenator said:
Right, they find the slightest interface change confusing yet you also claim they are much more likely to use a tablet or phone, which not only has a different design and interface, it also has a different HMI implementation.
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I did mention professional people in the 60s who I know. I did not say the general market of adolescents aged 10 to 50. More people are buying Tablets to do things they would need to buy a PC just 2-3 years ago for. That is killing Microsoft and PC makers.

Maybe its best then to stick with XP, keep on doing things the way you are used to, the way that works and that you are comfortable with. What's the worst thing that could possibly happen? Why use Linux because then we can no longer hate Microsoft? Change... pffft, who needs to adapt!
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In evolutionary terms, things which work don't really need to change. There are still plants and animals which have changed little over millions of years, because they're most optimal as they are. There is no necessary reason to adapt. There is only MS which wants to kill XP. But it's not as if an asteroid hit us or there is an unavoidable change in habitat.
 
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