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My long goodbye to Windows XP (2022)

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Re: My long goodbye to Windows XP (2022)

#62
post #29
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…

> None of Microsoft's operating systems were as good as Windows XP Huh? XP added nothing to 2000 except useless bling.

Direct3D 9.0c

Re: My long goodbye to Windows XP (2022)

#63
post #47

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

Okay, well fwiw you made me curious enough to look this up: https://www.cnet.com/tech/tech-industry/microsoft-outlines-w... > When it debuts in February, Windows 2000 Professional will sell for an estimated retail price of $319, the same as its predecessor, Windows NT 4 Workstation. Note that there was no "home" edition of Windows 2000. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_2000 So it's one of 2, 3, or 4.

Thank you for the info! As I said, I definitely remember Win2k, but not how I got it. My guess is OEM CD to be most likely, then bootleg, then full retail.

Another option was student bookstore. Microsoft sold its wares at universities at steep discounts.

Edit: a sister comment jogged my memory. I bet it was either a giveaway by an EECS dept or a heavily discounted disc from the university bookstore. Which is why I do not remember paying a noticeable sum for it.

Re: My long goodbye to Windows XP (2022)

#64
Many times have I lost hours, days, or functionality that was never regained to an update/"upgrade."

Never have I had my personal computer owned by some exploit that resulted in data loss/breach.

Thus, undesired upgrades are a greater risk for personal computing than security. Simple as.

Re: My long goodbye to Windows XP (2022)

#65
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 remember attempting to run Windows NT 4, but it lacked a lot of hardware support. Windows 2000 Professional fixed a lot of that. I consider Windows 2000 to be the first stable AND usable (for a desktop) version of Windows.

Re: My long goodbye to Windows XP (2022)

#66
post #60
post #47

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

I bet that was it! I either got a sticker like this or got it at the university store as a free add-on to a 90% discounted VC++.

Re: My long goodbye to Windows XP (2022)

#67
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…

This is not even a radical viewpoint, which is why the downvotes seem irrational. I have seen "normies" pontificating on how Windows XP was perfect for them and how they have seen no benefit going forward.

If I am being maximally charitable, the benefits that come afterwards are drivers, gaming-related (DirectX) or security-related (which is not a user-facing feature). All of them are nice, but not at the cost that the end user perceives; a slow, painful experience, with an OS that crashes randomly and has weird inconsistencies everywhere.

I have mostly stuck to Ubuntu for desktops (since 8.04) and MacOS for laptops (since Snow Leopard).

(Unrelated, I also notice the busy cursor, which is why I went back to Ubuntu once I was able to get a desktop)

Re: My long goodbye to Windows XP (2022)

#68
post #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.…

"We're going to write security updates for this OS but we won't give them to you" is such psychopathic behavior.

Re: My long goodbye to Windows XP (2022)

#69

Many times have I lost hours, days, or functionality that was never regained to an update/"upgrade." Never have I had my personal computer owned by some exploit that resulted in data loss/breach. Thus, undesired upgrades are a greater risk for personal computing than security. Simple as.

Corporations like Microsoft have successfully hammered this idea into people's heads that the evil hacker known as Anonymous will hack into your fridge and make it explode and burn your house down if you forget to update it for two weeks.

Almost nobody who makes a big deal out of this has ever actually been affected by it, they're just parroting what they're told.

Re: My long goodbye to Windows XP (2022)

#70
I do still like the 95/98/XP paradigm best in terms of, start button, non-grouped buttons for the different windows, and some quick launch icons. luckily because I run linux I can have my pick of the litter, cinnamon, MATE, even KDE with some heavy configuring will do it. I wonder what the author didn't like about linux, seems like it's perfect for someone who's stuck in the past like me, if it's not a software compat problem (which from the sound of the article it isn't)
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