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

Skip to comments.

Five Reasons It's Time to Switch to Windows 7 (Tomorrow is D-day for Windows XP SP2 users)
PC World ^ | 07/12/2010 | Tony Bradley

Posted on 07/12/2010 7:58:50 AM PDT by SeekAndFind

Tomorrow is D-day for Windows XP SP2 users. Granted, Windows XP SP2 will still work, but tomorrow is the last Patch Tuesday for the venerable OS which means it will become more unstable and less secure as time goes on. Simply applying SP3 will suffice to continue running a supported platform, but here are five reasons to consider switching off of Windows XP entirely.

1. Hardware Support. Windows XP is archaic, and it is designed to run on outdated hardware. As new technologies are introduced, it is unlikely that Windows XP will be compatible or able to take advantage of them. Windows 7 provides support for multitouch displays, and also has greatly improved memory and power management features.

2. Improved Drivers Installation. Windows 7 has a superior system for automatically detecting and installing drivers. Windows XP sort of has this capability, but more often than not the search for drivers yields nothing and requests that you insert a driver disc from the vendor. Install a new piece of hardware in Windows 7, and most of the time it will automatically be added along with the correct driver without any additional user interaction.

3.Security. Windows XP lacks many of the crucial security controls that have been introduced in Windows Vista and Windows 7. Looking at the vulnerabilities that have been discovered since the launch of Windows 7, the Windows 7 operating system is frequently unaffected, or when it is affected by the same flaw as Windows XP, the result of an exploit is minor while the Windows XP system will be completely owned by the attacker.

(Excerpt) Read more at pcworld.com ...


TOPICS:
KEYWORDS: microsoft; operatingsystems; pc; windows7; windowsxp
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 61-8081-100101-120121-128 next last
To: SeekAndFind; rdb3; Calvinist_Dark_Lord; GodGunsandGuts; CyberCowboy777; Salo; Bobsat; JosephW; ...

101 posted on 07/12/2010 10:41:06 AM PDT by ShadowAce (Linux -- The Ultimate Windows Service Pack)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: DonaldC

Why would they want to do that? So then everyone can have a free copy?


102 posted on 07/12/2010 10:46:38 AM PDT by for-q-clinton (If at first you don't succeed keep on sucking until you do succeed)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: ctdonath2

No like most of the world they are sticking with windows :-D


103 posted on 07/12/2010 10:50:48 AM PDT by for-q-clinton (If at first you don't succeed keep on sucking until you do succeed)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 27 | View Replies]

To: Fresh Wind

Why waste all that money on a system that only 5% of the computer users use?

If you’re going to go non-mainstream go linux (not that I am recommending that either...it’s still too difficult for the typical end user).


104 posted on 07/12/2010 10:54:03 AM PDT by for-q-clinton (If at first you don't succeed keep on sucking until you do succeed)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 79 | View Replies]

To: SeekAndFind

Maybe because most people do actually like Windows and Microsoft products. At least 95% of the world’s computer users agree...windows is for them.

If you like using an obscure OS that you pay way too much for...then good for you. Most people don’t like to spend all that extra money for basically the same thing except with limits.


105 posted on 07/12/2010 11:00:26 AM PDT by for-q-clinton (If at first you don't succeed keep on sucking until you do succeed)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 62 | View Replies]

To: for-q-clinton
Why waste all that money on a system that only 5% of the computer users use?

Because he'd be the one using it and he wants the best?

106 posted on 07/12/2010 11:06:00 AM PDT by antiRepublicrat
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 104 | View Replies]

To: BipolarBob
So long as they’re not doing away with Windows 3.1, I’m alright.

Or NT 4!


107 posted on 07/12/2010 11:14:57 AM PDT by rdb3 (The mouth is the exhaust pipe of the heart.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: softwarecreator

Running Mint 9 64 bit version...no problems....


108 posted on 07/12/2010 11:48:00 AM PDT by Ernest_at_the_Beach ( Support Geert Wilders)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 35 | View Replies]

To: for-q-clinton
Your statement :

.it’s still too difficult for the typical end user).

Is coming under serious challenge by some of the latest Distros---....Mint,...Zorin...Peppermint...

109 posted on 07/12/2010 11:52:27 AM PDT by Ernest_at_the_Beach ( Support Geert Wilders)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 104 | View Replies]

To: rdb3; for-q-clinton
My favorite MS OS:

Actually, my favorite MS OS was Microsoft BASIC 80 for the Radio Shack Model 100 laptop. It was the last Microsoft product that Bill Gates himself developed. Coincidence?

110 posted on 07/12/2010 11:56:29 AM PDT by antiRepublicrat
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 107 | View Replies]

To: Ernest_at_the_Beach
Is coming under serious challenge by some of the latest Distros---....Mint,...Zorin...Peppermint...

We spoke about this a week or so ago. That is what the linux gurus always claim and then I finally get sucked in and try it again and then blam...it's still not there. Yes I agree it is getting MUCH better than it used to be when I first heard the claim that linux is ready for the desktop about 15 years ago.

The last one to have that moniker was ubuntu...I had high hopes at first for it, but I was still let down. To make linux on the desktop they have to get rid of the compiler issue. When I hear of a program that is available on linux I expect to run it on MY version of linux without needing to recompile and hunt and search for libraries to add in to make it all work.

But it still requires a more advanced computer type person to support it.

111 posted on 07/12/2010 12:03:59 PM PDT by for-q-clinton (If at first you don't succeed keep on sucking until you do succeed)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 109 | View Replies]

To: Notary Sojac

>> I hope you are not one of those wussies who actually buys CPU’s from Fry’s or Newegg instead of mining his own silicon, like I do.

Well, FRiend, you’ve managed to one-up me. I don’t process raw silicon like you do; I do, however, buy monocrystalline silicon boules, saw them into 12” wafers, and do all of the wafer processing myself (including the EDA) to build my own microprocessors.

And if you believe that “boule”, I’ve got a Wheatstone bridge for sale, cheap!


112 posted on 07/12/2010 12:41:10 PM PDT by Nervous Tick (Eat more spinach! Make Green Jobs for America!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 98 | View Replies]

To: COBOL2Java
heh... I like this one too:


113 posted on 07/12/2010 12:51:03 PM PDT by Nervous Tick (Eat more spinach! Make Green Jobs for America!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 66 | View Replies]

To: urtax$@work

bump


114 posted on 07/12/2010 2:21:03 PM PDT by GOPJ (When it's Voter intimidation, the NAACP and the White Citizens Council are brothers under the skin.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 42 | View Replies]

To: SeekAndFind
Install a new piece of hardware in Windows 7, and most of the time it will automatically be added along with the correct driver without any additional user interaction.

That counts as a plus??? My computer talking with third parties online without my explicit step-by-step supervision and permission??? Sounds more like a virus to me.

115 posted on 07/12/2010 2:28:39 PM PDT by Still Thinking (Freedom is NOT a loophole!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: FunkyZero
I'll start running ubuntu before I pay 300 bucks for an OS.

I paid $30. Love it, and I love Linux as well. W7 has kept me away from my PCLinuxOS 2010....

I recently purchased (like, last week) a quad-core 64 bit machine for $360 shipped with W7 pre-installed.

116 posted on 07/12/2010 3:18:42 PM PDT by Big Giant Head (Two years no AV, no viruses, computer runs great!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]

To: Big Giant Head

Really love your Handle (does anybody ever call you thinking you are an alien leader or just obama... yeah I know it’s a bad joke)

I always loved the music intro to Third Rock... the pin ball planets weren’t bad either.

TT


117 posted on 07/12/2010 4:02:21 PM PDT by TexasTransplant (I don't mind liberals... I hate liars...there just tends to be a high degree of overlap)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 116 | View Replies]

To: Nervous Tick

Well done.


118 posted on 07/12/2010 4:03:25 PM PDT by scott7278 ("...I have not changed Congress and how it operates the way I would have liked." BHO)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 21 | View Replies]

To: SeekAndFind

BTTT


119 posted on 07/12/2010 4:24:24 PM PDT by DollyCali (Don't tell God how big your storm is...Tell the storm how big your God is!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: antiRepublicrat
> Microsoft had two major exceptions: Windows ME and Windows Vista.

I had the misfortune to have a machine running ME - the BSOD was a regular on that one, but I also own Windows Media Center 2005 - an XP variant that works almost as well as regular XP except for...

“Here is an (unofficial) list of software and hardware we have found to be unsupported in XP Media Center:

• Digidesign Pro Tools (all versions).
• All M-Audio software and hardware.
• All Steinberg software.
• Cakewalk SONAR (all versions).
• The iLok.
• Syncrosoft USB dongles.
• Focusrite interfaces.
• Lexicon Omega/Alpha/Lambda.
• Edirol interfaces.
• Alesis USB and Firewire mixers.
• All MOTU hardware and software.
• All E-MU hardware and software.
• Native Instruments software.
• Waves software.
• Mackie Spike. Tracktion has been known to work, but is not guaranteed.
• Novation X-Station series.
• TC Eletric PowerCore series.
• Universal Audio UAD-1 cards.
• All RME hardware.
• All PreSonus hardware.
• All TASCAM software and hardware.
• Blue Snowball and Samson C01 USB Microphones.
• Line 6 USB hardware and drivers

Keep in mind that this is an unofficial list. These are simply products that we have found, through our experience and through manufacturer requirements, to not function properly in XP Media Center. However, you may experience full functionality with any of the aforementioned products.”

http://www.sweetwater.com/sweetcare/ts/detail.php?Index=30163

Of course, I've found that some of the products on that list will work when they feel like it and then quit when the moon changes, & had I not found this page from Sweetwater I never would have know the root of the problem as Microsoft never said a word about any of this afik.

120 posted on 07/12/2010 4:53:21 PM PDT by ADemocratNoMore (Jeepers, Freepers, where'd 'ya get those sleepers?. Pj people, exposing old media's lies.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 80 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 61-8081-100101-120121-128 next 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