On April 8th, life as a truly active XP user for me will be over, as Microsoft officially ends its support for one of the most popular systems that they've ever had. Eventually they will be doing the same for Windows 7 (saw a soft date of 2020 while doing research for this post), but that is way in the future.
For me, I've been fortunate enough to start prepping for the end around this time last year. I bought my current computer via Staples onlilne because I did not want anything to do with Windows 8 (and still don't, but we'll cross that bridge when the time comes), and have been slowly migrating my writing/blogging related stuff to it from my old XP.
Over this weekend, I bought two new components for my computers, Word 2013 for my Windows 7 and a new flash drive for my old. The reason why I bought a new flash drive for the old is that with the elimination of support for XP I needed a new way to transfer certain updated files from my old computer to my new computer. A new flash drive will be the cheapest and easiest way to do what I need to do.
My next goal is to buy a ridiculously cheap printer for my new computer as the one I have for my XP is non-compatible with Windows 7. This I found out when I finally found the software for it a week ago (along with the software to reload a video drive long thought lost when I had my old computer fixed some 5 years ago). I need a printer because I do get stat reports for my blog, as well as coupons for a store I shop at, and I would hate to forward those e-mails to work in order to print them out.
I do plan on continuing to use my XP for writing as it's still good for that. However I did make sure to follow one tech writer's advice about continuing to use XP after April 8th: I have a sticky note pasted on my copy holder reminding me to disable my Internet connection on March 31st. Since I actually have a small modem/tower (about five inches in height) for the wireless there, it will be the simple issue of unplugging the tower, disabling the connection and uninstall the software. So long as I'm not connected to the World Wide Web, I should be good to go. And I should probably uninstall McAfee on my XP as well. After all, no WWW means no anti-virus, yes?
So my friends, are you ready/prepared to face the inevitable?
(c) 2014 by G.B. Miller. All Rights Reserved.
I got rid of XP ages ago. Windows 7 was a nice upgrade, and now I'm running Windows 8. I seem to be the only one who actually likes Windows 8, but it's incredibly fast and it's pretty functional.
ReplyDeleteOnce you've had an 8 second boot up, you can't go back. You just can't.
ABFtS: I originally got XP because my only other option was Vista. I'll probably stick with Windows 7 until the bitter end (my job has Windows 7), and then probably will switch to an Apple.
ReplyDeleteMy daughter has 8 on her computer and she can take it or leave it.
I dumped XP a while ago as well. I have 7 on one and Vista on my other computer. Won't switch to 8 though. Too buggy.
ReplyDeleteAlex: My son had Vista for a while, but it used to make his computer crash.
ReplyDeleteI usually mirror what my job has for computers, so I've had a working familiarity with 7 for at least several months before buying it.
Like I said, XP will remain for writing and personal correspondence. I already disconnected the 'net from it, so I'm good to go.
My family and friends all seem to be moving to MAC.
ReplyDeleteWe still have XP at my office - I just mentioned it again today. Needless to say - I'll do my online banking at home now (which is how it should have been anyway.)
ReplyDeleteG.A.: A Mac probably will be my 3rd computer once they start to phase out Windows 7.
ReplyDeleteLynn: They started converting all our office computers from XP to 7 this spring.
I still don't do online banking, but it does makes sense to do it on Windows 7 or a Mac.
I have always and will always hate Microsoft. How did such an inferior product develop a monopoly? There's a long answer to that question.
ReplyDeleteWindows 8 = if I were a man, I'd rather put my nuts in a vise. It is THAT bad.
M: Here's an interesting thought. I believe I read somewhere that the majority of ATM's use XP for an operating system.
ReplyDeleteI got the XP notice on my wife's computer this morning. Annoying! I need to upgrade my Word program on my computer but I'm told Vista won't support the new versions.
ReplyDeleteThe computer companies create some neat stuff but their profit motives are akin to thievery in my opinion.
Lee
An A to Z Co-Host
Tossing It Out
Arlee: I would have to agree with you on that. A monopoly is definitely a bad thing.
ReplyDeleteI bought the new version for my 7 and now the weird thing is that I now face issues of compatibility between the old and new. Should be interesting.
We just got new computers at work only last month.