Windows Xp Is Set To Expire On April 8.

[jdmidwest]

There has been alot of hoopla lately since Microsoft dropped an update a few weeks back thru Windows Update urging people to get a new computer. Many have fallen for it and many new computers have been sold because of it. Here are my thoughts on the matter.

Windows XP will continue to run and your computer will continue to perform as it does at the present time. The world will not come to an end for those that have XP computers on April 8, despite all of the scare tactics to drum up new sales. It is really only businesses that have to worry about it and the possible security issues that may develop.

The Windows updates and patches will cease to exist. The only versions of Internet Explorer that presently run on XP are out of date and should have been replaced with modern browsers like Firefox, Opera, or Chrome for security while browsing. Outlook Express should be upgraded to a modern mail client like Thunderbird or simply use webmail clients like Gmail.

Hackers will probably not even worry about trying to hack XP any more than they have over the last 14 years.

As long as you have a modern browser installed, modern and up to date antivirus and internet security packages, you should have nothing to worry about. Always keep Adobe Reader, Adobe Flash Player, Adobe Shockwave, and Java software up to date also as many hackers tend to slip viruses and malware in that way also.

Linux flavors are an option, most have an interface to make ease of interaction similar to Windows. But the options for software are limited and there is a whole new learning curve to the software that may intimidate many novice users.

Windows 7 has been dropped for sale by MS also, but there are still companies out there offering it as a downgrade option on new computers. Since the patch for Windows 8.1 came out, many of the issues have been solved with the interface that was a problem with 8. It would be the route to go on a new computer.

[ness]

....then there's Mac.

Sorry to hijack, but this may be interesting to the folks that came here.

My iMac is about 6 years old now. They have upgraded the OS a number of times -- all through the cat series and now into Maverick. I don't think I've ever paid for one. And, they get better every time. But, the main point is how reliable it has been. Virtually no problems over that time. About 6 months ago I had an issue, and for $20 and about 20 minutes on the phone with an American at Apple, and a smart one at that, I was back in business.

About a month ago my hard drive crashed with about 300 GB of stuff on it. I replaced the drive, plugged in the external backup (or "Time Machine") drive, turned it on and held down the "command" key to get the restore started. A couple clicks and a couple hours later I was back 100% like I was before the drive crashed. I mean everything -- like it never happened.

[Mitch f]

FWIW, I'm very slowly and reluctantly switching to Windows 8, which I hate because to me it's GUI is so counter intuitive.

[Feathers and Fins]

We are in the middle of a complete switch from Laptop to LG G-pads at work. With a dedicated server and VPN capability to our Network I can go scope a job live, have instant customer signatures and required photo and documentation paperwork sent to the office within seconds especially with 4g connection.

Now for all the docs they are excel based so as long as excel remains alive and well no issues. The savings on paper and toner and all other cost with using paper will more than pay for the G-pads. Computers are just like fish finders, For home use anything will work but for tournament/work you better be up to date with the best tech.

[ness]

Depends partly on what you're doing at home. I do photography stuff in Lightroom, and it needs a pretty fast processor and plenty of RAM. The large, crisp monitor is a big plus. I have a couple little databases and a handful of simple spreadsheets at home -- I make do with Open Office. But you're right -- for the folks that surf and use e-mail, or students that just need a word processor, spreadsheet and presentation package, about any hardware will do.

One other point about Mac -- for years I've wanted a single calendar/contacts solution. Ever since I moved off paper. I'm talking back in the Palm Pilot days, up through the early smartphones, Yahoo/Google web solutions, etc. Only since I got Apple stuff has all that synced perfectly without any effort from me. The core is Exchange here at work, with iMac, iPhone, iPad, and Macbook all working in perfect harmony. I'd like to buy the world a Coke.

We're on Win 7 here at the ol' saltmine. No real complaints. No word when we'll migrate to 8, but it's never fun.

[blue79]

I read that the ATM machines run XP so we will probably see some new bank fees pretty soon.

When i had XP and Internet Explorer i was always wiping my computers..All my problems went away when i switched to win7 and Firefox.

Does Win8 have compatibility mode for windows xp?

I like messing around with all the Live Linux Operating Systems http://www.livecdlist.com/

Burn the image to disc and then make your pc boot of the disc drive instead of the harddrive.

[ness]

I read that the ATM machines run XP so we will probably see some new bank fees pretty soon.

When i had XP and Internet Explorer i was always wiping my computers..All my problems went away when i switched to win7 and Firefox.

Does Win8 have compatibility mode for windows xp?

I like messing around with all the Live Linux Operating Systems http://www.livecdlist.com/

Burn the image to disc and then make your pc boot of the disc drive instead of the harddrive.

The feds have clamped down on bank fees pretty hard. We're busily working on new ways to screw people.

[Mitch f]

The feds have clamped down on bank fees pretty hard. We're busily working on new ways to screw people.

It seems to me Bank of America is the worst, I switched all my accounts away.

[Flysmallie]

I have Windows 7 on my laptop and Windows 8 Pro on my tablet. With the apro edition of Windows 8 there is really not that much difference between 7 & 8. You can still get to a normal desktop screen and get away from those big app buttons.

Really like having it on my tablet because it allows me to run any program I want. From the enormous spreadsheets I write for work to Photoshop CS3 I use for graphics work.

I can't for the life of me get the GoPro software to run properly on it though.

My daughter bought a Mac laptop late last year. Pretty impressed by it.

[ness]

You gotta love Microsoft though. Since yesterday afternoon, for some unknown reason, my 'dictionary' in Word is offering foreign words part of the time. For example, the suggested spelling for 'restrictions' is

or "states'