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The Linux pimps like to try and complain about the manner in which Microsoft supports their operating systems that were released 7-8 years ago

Maybe this is where you're getting confused , nobody is upset about the length of time XP was supported. Seven years is a fine lifetime for an OS. What people are upset about is that the overlap between the release of the only other desktop option and the end of life for the only existing desktop option is too short. If MS had released Vista on schedule or even in 2005 and left consumers the option (darn consumers wanting choice) for a year or two they would have made life far easier for their customers.

I have given you the impression I think 7 years is not a nice life-cycle you have gotten the wrong one and I apologize. If I had a shop with 100 desktops and I had to buy five more (from dell for example) I now can not have a homogeneous desktop environment *unless* I buy XP from a third party (like cdw). Companies dont replace their entire desktop environment in one shot they evergreen out over the course of quarters if not years.

when the fact is no Linux vendor supports anything at all from that far back.

Again its not just about the length of support 5 years to most people is due diligence from a software vendor but you have to give people a few options to upgrade while the other product is still for sale (well you dont have to but dont be surprise if a number of people complain).

When exposed on their hypocrisy they then resort to further absurdities such as trying to claim providing security patches isn't actually providing support.

Its not, providing *only* security patches while other produces like IE dont get updated is not full support. Bug Fixes, component updates `, and security fixes make for support.

still runs these old Windows operating systems despite the constant linux lie campaign against them.

If you need IE7 you aint running 2000 as I predicted two years ago.

Its not just the Linux folks harping on MS for this we have seen noise from the Apple community and from long time Windows users who are ditching windows, in part, because of licensing. Will MS be hurt by this? I dont know with so much windows software out there consumers will be forced to stick with their BOHICA platform. But with Dell now seriously toying around with selling Linux desktops and Apple always keeping their growth up (though I do tire waiting for 10.5) MS very well could see some trouble

-Regards