Posted on 04/14/2009 9:51:58 AM PDT by CleoClem
That’s the “We can’t fix it” one I remember.
In that context you still get free support for XP.
To rephrase my initial post with the same meaning: Eight years is a long time to provide included support for a superseded OS.
For extremely small values of "support." Third party support for BSD and Linux is possible because everyone has access to the source code.
Only Microsoft can patch Windows.
You can get tips and tricks from forums for Windows XP but you will never see a patch.
Eight years is a long time to provide included support for a superseded OS.
It's only superseded because Microsoft says it is. Over 60% of Windows out there is still XP. Obviously the userbase doesn't think it's superseded and they are the ones that sent Microsoft their money.
Microsoft could continue to fund the "free" support for XP by continuing to sell a product that is still in demand. They don't want to do that.
Except for those patches that were released by others because Microsoft was slow in releasing its own.
Microsoft could continue to fund the "free" support for XP by continuing to sell a product that is still in demand. They don't want to do that.
Microsoft's problem was not releasing a new OS in a timely manner that was substantially better than the old one, giving people a reason to upgrade. Because of that Microsoft has already extended support well beyond the original end date. I still drive my old Honda, well beyond the included support (warranty), and I'm not complaining.
What patches released by others? Nobody has permission to patch and release the Windows source code but Microsoft. Nobody.
Microsoft's problem was not releasing a new OS in a timely manner that was substantially better than the old one, giving people a reason to upgrade.
Microsoft's problem is that they believe that they must release a completely new product every few years rather than continue to sell licenses for an established product.
They think this is necessary because they think that users would have a fit if Microsoft didn't fix an 8 year old product. Rather than fix it, they ship an entirely new product with most of the same problems that the old one had (with some nifty new problems too). People cut them some slack because it's a new product. Eventually people get tired of the problems in the new product and start complaining or even switching. Then Microsoft brings out another new product. Rinse and repeat.
I still drive my old Honda, well beyond the included support (warranty), and I'm not complaining.
Sure, you drive an old Honda. Let's say it's an Accord. Guess what? Honda still sells Accords. They are somewhat different than the old one you have, but they are the same basic product.
If Microsoft was Honda, they'd stop selling Accords. They'd come out with the new Honda Dejure. If you cut off the hood you'll notice that 90% of the car is an Accord. Your Accord, however, is considered superseded.
When a problem is found in the wiring that causes a fire, Microsoft will fix the Dejures. But even though your Accord has the same wiring, no fix for you.
Go buy a Dejure.
Yet they do it anyway. Microsoft was late to release a patch for the WMF vulnerability, so others did it for them. The situation was bad enough that the Internet Storm Center suggested people apply the unofficial patch.
Honda still sells Accords. They are somewhat different than the old one you have, but they are the same basic product.
Vista is still the same basic product, just an "upgrade" from NT 5.2 to 6.0. Think if Honda came out with a horrible Accord few wanted to buy. They'd still honor the initial warranties on old Accords, but I doubt they'd extend them.
OMG!!! This is hugh! Series! I’m going to have to get along administering my computers without any help from Microsoft?? Oh, wait...
Well one definition of "support" would be "to hold up" so, Yes!
Well, sort of. The WMF fix put out by Ilfak Guilfanov wasn't really a patch. He tacked on some code to an existing DLL. When the DLL got called, his code got executed as well, inserting itself into memory and blocking the exploit.
Which, by the way, will no longer work with Microsoft's code signing requirements for system libraries.
Vista is still the same basic product, just an "upgrade" from NT 5.2 to 6.0. Think if Honda came out with a horrible Accord few wanted to buy. They'd still honor the initial warranties on old Accords, but I doubt they'd extend them.
Sure they would. They would also still sell you parts for your old Accord. Heck, I can still get OEM factory parts from Ford for my 1966 Mustang. They are expensive, but Ford will sell them to me.
Microsoft, as the sole source of "parts" for XP, is essentially saying, "Yes, we took your money for XP, yes there is still a market for XP, but we want you to spend MORE money on Vista. No patches for you if you stay with XP."
There are millions of users ready, willing and able to give Microsoft their dollars for new licenses for XP. Microsoft has said no.
No patches either. They claim they will continue with security patches, but based on what they did when NT was in this same position, I wouldn't count on it.
Patches, smatches. That what (third party) firewalls and (third party) anvirii are for.
A firewall is good for keeping people from accessing TCP and UDP streams that they shouldn't. When the exploit gets buried in a web page and you allow access to port 80, your firewall does you no good. And once an exploit gets on one machine, it's now inside your firewall.
Windows Anti-virus products are always a day or two behind the really nasty stuff.
All true. Nevertheless, I’ve been quite fortunate so far.
Ultimately I will probably go to running Windows only inside VM’s under Linux or BSD as the virtualization gets good enough.
Hope so. Unfortunately the zombies keep getting better and better at avoiding the software used to detect them.
When it comes to malware I obey Joshua's Law:
"A strange game. The only winning move is not to play."
It's their product.
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