Windows XP Not Dead Yet

**Rob M** · 28-04-2008, 18:00

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7370821.stm

**Rob** · 28-04-2008, 18:10

If I was to buy any new PC for my office tomorrow, it would be XP. The rest of the office is XP. I wouldn't need the compatibility hassles of one odd PC on the network. Indeed until there is a need for a wholesale update of our IT, we'll stick with what works.

**Rob M** · 28-04-2008, 18:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob

If I was to buy any new PC for my office tomorrow, it would be XP. The rest of the office is XP. I wouldn't need the compatibility hassles of one odd PC on the network. Indeed until there is a need for a wholesale update of our IT, we'll stick with what works.

Yeah, we're doing the same.

I can't see us moving to Vista any time in the next 5-10 years if I'm honest, in fact we're only just starting to roll XP out across the entire user base (but then we do have rather a lot of users

).

Druchii · 28-04-2008, 18:15

Gotta agree, and operating system so many want to keep should be kept alive past its original EOL.

I still prefer XP.

AbyssUnderground · 28-04-2008, 19:27

I switched to Vista Ultimate 64bit earlier this month. Before hand I was one of the people that said "vista is rubbish i'll never ever ever user it". Then I tried it on decent hardware, and it runs like a dream. It's not crashed a single time, its not hung, or refused any software I've put on it (besides those that are specifically not for Vista, eg Norton Ghost refused to install because the operating system was not allowed in its setup config).

I always consider changes a lot before I make them. I decided to give Vista a fair try and its not disappointed me so far. I wish I could say the same for Leopard when I had a Mac. Most disappointing.

**Rob** · 28-04-2008, 19:41

I've not tried Vista, so can't judge it from any experience. When first released, clearly it was buggy, or the average computer it was being run on was incomplete, or there simply weren't the compatible drivers for hardware. Thus Vista got bad press.

With SP1, and a lapse of time, things are clearly much better. I still wouldn't use it in my office, simply for ease of admin of the network (plus the users complaining as they don't have the best kit - you can fudge why the box on their desk looks different, but not if the display content is different too). But my next home PC will have Vista.

AbyssUnderground · 28-04-2008, 19:46

I can confirm SP1 does make the Vista experience so much nicer. Everything works seamlessly and just as it should. You can make Vista look just like earlier versions of XP if you wish. There will only be slight differences in the layout but the functionality remains just the same.

Program compatibility is of course an issue but as of so far I've encountered just two issues;
1. NetSupport remote desktop suite; The software for connecting to a client works but the software to allow someone to remote desktop into it doesn't work as the service will not run. This is fixed in newer versions so this doesn't count.
2. Norton Ghost 9.0; Again the service won't run but since it solely relies on it, it is totally unusable. And again, this is fixed in a later version so again doesn't count.

Vista makes me feel good inside when I use it. Why? Who knows. It just one of those things in life you can't explain.

**Maggy J** · 28-04-2008, 19:48

I'm happy with XP and I don't see why I should spend money upgrading to Vista when I have absolutely no problems with XP and I've finally got a PC that does what I want without having a hissy fit every 5 minutes.The only software I have problems with will probably be just as badly behaved with Vista anyway.

saabmania2 · 28-04-2008, 20:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raistlin

Yeah, we're doing the same.

I can't see us moving to Vista any time in the next 5-10 years if I'm honest, in fact we're only just starting to roll XP out across the entire user base (but then we do have rather a lot of users

).

Not that much point in upgrading then!! bill gates anounced the other day that he expects the next operating system will be released within the next couple of years.

so i wouldn't expect vista to be around for too long before the next generation of operating systems, i think they have just released vista to try out some new things they are using to design there next system

cimt · 28-04-2008, 20:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by saabmania2

Not that much point in upgrading then!! bill gates anounced the other day that he expects the next operating system will be released within the next couple of years.

so i wouldn't expect vista to be around for too long before the next generation of operating systems, i think they have just released vista to try out some new things they are using to design there next system

Well, alot of people have compared Vista to ME. I agree with it, I got a cheap laptop for my birthday last year and it had Basic on it, it's basically XP with a different design and annoying security alerts when installing software or changing certain settings.

Ramrod · 28-04-2008, 21:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob

If I was to buy any new PC for my office tomorrow, it would be XP.

Recently bought 2 with XP pro on....

28-04-2008, 21:59

I am still considering my change to Vista as I have always loved XP never liked 2000 or ME but XP has always been great always go back even after trying good old Linux XP always wins

Halcyon · 28-04-2008, 22:24

Evey time I have seen Vista running it has been either a memory hogger or quickly annoyed me by restricting nearly everything I wanted to do.

I'll be sticking with XP.

The only thing I hate about XP...... the kiddy start menu button and blue bar.
Anyone know a way to edit them or a theme to download that is not a memory hogger ?

greencreeper · 28-04-2008, 23:08

I'm planning on studying the MCITP, just to bring my knowledge up-to-date. We've started selling laptops at work that come with Vista - having a devil of a time setting them up. I guess it's the future whether we like it or not

Xaccers · 01-05-2008, 15:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Halcyon

Evey time I have seen Vista running it has been either a memory hogger or quickly annoyed me by restricting nearly everything I wanted to do.

I'll be sticking with XP.

The only thing I hate about XP...... the kiddy start menu button and blue bar.
Anyone know a way to edit them or a theme to download that is not a memory hogger ?

Ah yes, if only someone would invent a "I'm not a numpty" application to configure all the settings

Things I always do (some of which can be done via policies if you're running a domain, and other things like removing "Help and Support" from the menu)

1. Start menu
Right click the taskbar and select properties.
Untick the group similar taskbar buttons.
Select the classic menu.
Customise it to show admin tools, expand network/control panel/printers, show small icons.
2. Explorer.
Set view to details.
Go into tools and options.
Click on apply to all folders.
Tick: display file size, contents of system folders, full path, show hidden, show control panel.
Untick: hide extensions, hide protected, use simple file sharing.
In file types, find Folder, click advanced, set Explore as default (now when you double click My Computer etc you get Explorer rather than just an open.