Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Microsoft extends Windows XP's stay
The New York Times & CNet.com ^ | 09/27/2007 | Ina Fried

Posted on 09/27/2007 9:21:58 PM PDT by abt87

click here to read article


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-33 last
To: pillut48
Sometimes: "If it ain't broken, don't fix it" ... XP, with all its little flaws, wasn't really 'broken' per-se. Apparently Vista has become the Edsel of the computing world, a 'fix' for something that ain't broken.

As far as Internet and basic computing tasks go, I've been using Linux Ubuntu as a duel-boot for some months now and am very happy with it ... Ubuntu does everything that I need to do in a very compact and efficient manner. No more waiting 7 minutes for XP to go thru its throes of excruciating angst booting up to its desktop, no more endless virus and spyware scans, no more AOL and RealNetwork inserting their 'Call Home' crap without my permission, and lastly ... no more of this MicroSlow nonesense!

I still use XP for some tasks, but becoming very few .. as Linux 'flavors' can do those same tasks far more efficiently than any of the bogged down MicroSlow OS can

MM

21 posted on 09/27/2007 9:47:43 PM PDT by Mr_Moonlight
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: Mr_Moonlight

Dell, HP and Lenovo concur. Each of them is now offering Linux pre-installed. In Dell’s case, it’s Ubuntu. However, the problem with Linux is that it’s still a little rough around the edges, especially with driver issues, as OEM’s aren’t quite used to supporting it yet. In addition, there’s also the fact that Linux distros won’t play mp3’s (lack of license from Fraunhofer, so at worst they’ll have to wait until the patents for the mp3 expire in five years) or DVD’s (again, lack of a license). In addition, you still need to use a command line for several of the important tasks, rather than there being an equivalent to the Control Panel in XP and Vista.

If distro makers (especially Ubuntu’s KDE) can fix these problems, then yes, Linux will have a real shot at overthrowing Windows, especially at the corporate level. Many companies already use a flavor of Linux for their servers, so switching their desktops over to Linux may not be as hard as they would think.


22 posted on 09/27/2007 9:54:58 PM PDT by abt87 (Liberals aren't stupid...they can still beat Koko the monkey in chess)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 21 | View Replies]

To: pillut48

If XP was preloaded the manufacturer probably has a restore copy in a second partition. Also find out the name of the sound card/chip manufacturer. You can then go directly to that site and get the correct driver.

Also there is a company that makes a program that will find the drivers for all your devices. You can find it here:http://www.driver-soft.com/

It should detect all the drivers for the devices on you system. Good luck


23 posted on 09/27/2007 9:57:21 PM PDT by JSteff (Reality= realizing you are not nearly important enough for the government to tap your phone.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: pillut48

Would that delete everything I’ve done since then? ——Yes. I was hoping you had burned CD’s with your projects.


24 posted on 09/27/2007 9:57:35 PM PDT by Westlander (Unleash the Neutron Bomb)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]

To: abt87

Thank goodness. My XP computer works. My Vista computer borders on crap.


25 posted on 09/27/2007 9:58:57 PM PDT by Proud2BeRight
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: abt87
If distro makers (especially Ubuntu’s KDE) can fix these problems, then yes, Linux will have a real shot at overthrowing Windows

Really, as a user I'm not at all interested in who is at the 'top of the heap' as it were, all I'm interested is in what works. Linux works, for the time being, so I use it. If ever there becomes a time where something else works better for my needs then I'll adopt that one. XP worked for good amount of years, then it began to *not* work so well anymore (too many 'patches' bogged it down? I dunno) ... re-installs after re-installs and then the massive 'security updates' seemed to have slowed XP down to a crawl, even after a clean re-install.

MM

26 posted on 09/27/2007 10:09:25 PM PDT by Mr_Moonlight
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 22 | View Replies]

To: pillut48
Take a look at this thread about XP repair.
27 posted on 09/27/2007 10:09:33 PM PDT by kitchen (Hey, Pericles. What are the three things a ruler must know?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: abt87
Moderately good news. I still think Windows 2000 was their best product. At least XP is supported by the full range of devices and drivers. Vista was pushed out on the market too soon. Dumping an OS on the marketplace without a mature and complete set of drivers is a recipe for failure.
28 posted on 09/27/2007 10:12:03 PM PDT by Myrddin
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: pillut48

I built my own computer a year ago. I bought a so called full retail copy of XP Pro to go with my system.

I like it so far and don’t have any plans to change to Vista any time soon. XP boots up in less than 30 seconds with my AMD dual core 3800.

I hate resource hogs that slow down your computer and internet connections.

IE 7 is another story though. Gets dumped and dumps programs a lot especially with my financial trading programs.


29 posted on 09/27/2007 10:13:22 PM PDT by garyhope
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

To: abt87
(lack of license from Fraunhofer...

Huh?

Worst case, go get the Linux LAME sources and compile the binaries yourself, if you can't find the compiled codec...

Heck, I use the LAME Windows codec a lot under XP. For one thing, it has more options at the lower end, such as when "time shifting" AM radio shows. Do you really need 48KHz/320Kbs/stereo, when 22.05Khz/16Kbs/mono (or even 11Khz/8Kbs/mono) does the trick, given the source?

30 posted on 09/27/2007 10:18:52 PM PDT by Calvin Locke
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 22 | View Replies]

To: Myrddin
Moderately good news. I still think Windows 2000 was their best product. At least XP is supported by the full range of devices and drivers. Vista was pushed out on the market too soon. Dumping an OS on the marketplace without a mature and complete set of drivers is a recipe for failure.

I just glommed one (2000) from a recycler for free.

I use my Millennium about 8 hours a day today, and am still sorting issues with my other computer (a new XP—with Dell's bundled bungles). :^)

31 posted on 09/28/2007 2:15:12 AM PDT by Does so
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 28 | View Replies]

To: abt87

I’ve been playing with(and tweaking) Knoppix 5.1

Ut is very, very impressive, and I never thought I would hear myself say that about a Linux distro.

I just wish they’d make the myconfig=scan boot option the default...


32 posted on 09/28/2007 2:21:11 AM PDT by djf (Send Fred some bread! Not a whole loaf, a slice or two will do!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 22 | View Replies]

To: pillut48

That is weird!

Bump for help


33 posted on 09/28/2007 8:18:57 AM PDT by Constantine XIII
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-33 last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson