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My long goodbye to Windows XP (2022)

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Re: My long goodbye to Windows XP (2022)

#51
post #47

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Didn't Windows 2000 also cost an arm and a leg?

This is ancient memory for me, but it definitely didn't feel this way. Some plausible options are: (1) Win2k Home was much cheaper than Win2k Pro. Possibly an upgrade version was cheaper still. (2) I had a bootleg version (3) I started working for real money in 1999 so didn't care that much (4) An OEM CD came with the computer hardware kit.

There was no such thing as Windows 2000 Home. That would have been 98 or ME at the time. XP is were they consolidated the two.

Re: My long goodbye to Windows XP (2022)

#52
post #2

None of Microsoft's operating systems were as good as Windows XP and at least one (8) was a complete disaster, the shock waves from that catastrophe still rumbling around. By failing to reproduce that success, Microsoft has ceded most of the moral market share to Apple. Though, as a Linux user, every time I see a Mac desktop I can't resist noticing how often would it lock up and display that rotating "busy" mouse cur…

Windows 7 was legitimately good. Everything since has been a step in the wrong direction.

Re: My long goodbye to Windows XP (2022)

#55

Earlier quoted context omitted.

There’s also Windows 2000, which I think was the worst of all.

It was a server and workstation OS not really suited for consumer desktop.

It was the first stable Windows OS that could run all the latest games and desktop applications without constantly crashing or needing a periodic reinstall. It was their best desktop OS at the time. XP was just 2000 with an ugly default theme and added bloat.

Re: My long goodbye to Windows XP (2022)

#56
post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

For me, the big change came with Windows 2000. It had user benefits from 9x in a stable package. That was the first version that I can play games on and also leave it running for months, just like a Linux box.

Curious if you'd ever used a version of Windows NT prior to 2000? Since 2000 was part of the NT line, it might not be a fair comparison.

I loved NT4 and used it for a while. However the lack of USB support forced me to Win2k.

Re: My long goodbye to Windows XP (2022)

#57
This is not a sensible or technically sound thing to do. It is purely irrational. Win7 is already stuck on Chrome 110/111(?).

You are not gaining much by doing this, and are assuming significant risk. Even if specific portions can be quantified away, it's the unknown unknowns that should scare you.

Try a Linux distro again maybe? With some non-default themes and Wine, it really should make a better WinXP than WinXP.

Or at least use something like https://github.com/kirb/LegacyUpdate or the pirated ISOs that get updates from the Windows Embedded POSReady channel -- Win7 POSReady is supported until late 2024, and XP was until 2019.

There are safe ways to do this, but I worry the author may not be aware of them.

Re: My long goodbye to Windows XP (2022)

#58
post #26

"My belief is that computer security is highly overrated. [...] This can actually be quantifiable. [...] In 2021 Project Zero registered 10 0-days that concerned Windows. [...] None affected Windows XP." Clever! Security by running an OS which none of the exploit authors are targeting anymore.

Google Project Zero is a list of known vulnerabilities. It is not a comprehensive list of all vulnerabilities.

Does it matter? An attacker has to know about a vulnerability to use it. Unless there's some reason that security researchers would be more focused on vulnerabilities in new systems than attackers are, or something like that.

Re: My long goodbye to Windows XP (2022)

#59
Loved XP once the Fischer Price theme was turned off. Loved the now small footprint.

But, it's hard to give up the real terminal, now that you've used it, isn't it? Modern Firefox, Python, tons of software just doesn't support it any longer.

A shame really. I'd love a modern Windows 2000. ReactOS not quite there yet.

Re: My long goodbye to Windows XP (2022)

#60
post #47

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Didn't Windows 2000 also cost an arm and a leg?

This is ancient memory for me, but it definitely didn't feel this way. Some plausible options are: (1) Win2k Home was much cheaper than Win2k Pro. Possibly an upgrade version was cheaper still. (2) I had a bootleg version (3) I started working for real money in 1999 so didn't care that much (4) An OEM CD came with the computer hardware kit.

I was in a computer science program and the department literally just gave Windows 2000 keys away. They had a booklet with sheets of stickers and just said take whatever you want. It was easy to give to your friends.

When Windows XP came out, Microsoft unfortunately made them report every key given out, and the free ride was over.

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