"Microsoft set out to adopt a formal and rigid support lifecycle in 2002, back at a time when most analysts were expecting to see Windows Vista within a couple of years. My own point of view was that this lifecycle business had a lot to do with Microsoft's then-new volume licensing scheme, which among other things is oriented towards selling software subscriptions. If you're buying a subscription for software, you can see how lifecycle plans become important. However, delays in Windows Vista coupled with a questionable approach to 'consumer' products means that 2007 will carry a few surprises unless policy changes are made at Redmond."
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Member since:2005-07-06
> 1. That's 5 1/2 years of product support - how much does the competition offer in this regard for a consumer OS?
Or spun alternatively - "does any of the competition wait 5.5 years between major releases of a consumer OS?". I strongly suspect that the Win XP Home support deadline will be extended (BTW, what "support" does MS give for XP Home anyway? And is it is free or cheap?) - didn't they extend it for WIndows 98 SE for example?
I'm still hoping that when Vista finally rolls around, some big OEM will bravely decide to give customers a choice (e.g. Vista or no OS, with no OS/software for the latter of course) - it's ridiculous that consumer PCs from big OEMs *still* have to come with Windows!
Member since:2005-07-06
> What "support" does MS give for XP Home anyway?
Well, you could read instead of asking question: security patches, quite an important part considering the number of flaw found.
Security patch are free.
Also why do you think an OEM will provide OS choice for Vista when they don't do it for XP?
It's whishful thinking.
Member since:
2005-11-13
"For Windows XP Home Edition, there will be no security updates after 12/31/06".
This probably won't happen, and even if it does, two things to consider:
1. That's 5 1/2 years of product support - how much does the competition offer in this regard for a consumer OS?
2. If you follow common-sense security practices (such as run a firewall, don't use Internet Explorer except where absolutely necessary, etc.), you don't really need the myrad of Windows patches anyway. Even fot his latest WMF exploit, a fix is already available without Microsoft's help