Windows 7

[Debaser]

From a personal point of view, I have no reason to get rid of XP because it’s worked flawlessly for a few years now, and if it works why change it?

Because Microsoft will end-of-life it within six months, which means no more updates, fixes, or support. Kicking and screaming or walking tamely to slaughter, you ain't got no choice. The only reason XP wasn't EOL in 2007 is the big corporations told MS they'd drop Windows for Linux or Mac because they had a huge hardware investment that wouldn't run MS's latest bloatware.

Not strictly true - as long as you have the latest SP (currently SP3) it will move into what is termed "extended support". This means there will be no more development, and only SECURITY fixes will be released. The extended support will be for some years - lets face it, they cannot leave their loyal patrons with that pile of poo VISTA now can they ?

Also, my antivirus software, firewall and god knows what else is my security.
I dont need fixes cos its not broken

[BizarreLoveTriangle]

The fundamental problem of commercial software is that companies need to sell their software again and again to stay alive. If Microsoft did a perfect Windows that is supported forever, they would simply go into bankruptcy. So new features are often added for the sole purpose of being able to sell new versions of the software.

In free software world, new features are added only when they are needed. However, the development of free software is mostly driven by the needs of advanced users and developers themselves.

So maybe Mac is a good balance between the two extremes

Unlike Microsoft, Apple gets a large percentage of revenue from hardware, so they don't need to sell software so agressively.

(I am not a Mac user myself.)

[emuler]

I have heard that Windows 7 works better with older hardware than Vista. Does anyone know if this is true? Vista is terrible on older hardware - not a good user experience at all, even with the Aero thingy turned off (I have compared it to 'swimming in molasses'). Windows 7 supposedly turns off several bells and whistles so that the core runs fairly decently. (This is pure hearsay evidence - I haven't even tried it out yet).

[Phuzzy4242]

The fundamental problem of commercial software is that companies need to sell their software again and again to stay alive. If Microsoft did a perfect Windows that is supported forever, they would simply go into bankruptcy. So new features are often added for the sole purpose of being able to sell new versions of the software.

Witness MS Office 2007 for reselling the same software. There isn't a single thing I've noticed that's better than O2K3 and lots that is worse. There may be things buried deep in some of the least-used functions that are improved, but moving everything that was on the main screen to stupid "ribbons" is plain annoying. Outlook has a few nice things added but not worth the $$$.

I wouldn't use MS anything if I didn't have to know it well enough to fix it when it breaks.

I really doubt MS would go bankrupt - they're diversified enough that the failure of any one or two sections would hurt just a little.

[plonkah]

The fundamental problem of commercial software is that companies need to sell their software again and again to stay alive. If Microsoft did a perfect Windows that is supported forever, they would simply go into bankruptcy. So new features are often added for the sole purpose of being able to sell new versions of the software.

Witness MS Office 2007 for reselling the same software. There isn't a single thing I've noticed that's better than O2K3 and lots that is worse. There may be things buried deep in some of the least-used functions that are improved, but moving everything that was on the main screen to stupid "ribbons" is plain annoying. Outlook has a few nice things added but not worth the $$$.

I wouldn't use MS anything if I didn't have to know it well enough to fix it when it breaks.

I really doubt MS would go bankrupt - they're diversified enough that the failure of any one or two sections would hurt just a little.

Firstly, for EM. I know some people who have adopted W7 over VISTA and say it is a real relief.

Outlook 2007 is part of Office 2007, and the main thrust now for Microsoft is integration - that is this is now designed more with the Office user than the home user in mind. For the home user, there is the option to use Outlook Anywhere (was formerly RPC over http) and enhanced OWA, but not really much more. For the Office user, there is tight integration with Exchange 2007, MOSS2007, LCS, Groove, Forefront Security and many other server-based modules. You are probably right Phuzzy that there is little incentive for home user to upgrade, but what you will find is that older versions as well as not being supported, are no longer compatible with new SERVER-SIDE versions. I believe the days of IMAP and POP3 are numbered, and it will go in favour of enhanced Webmail.

[emuler]

Thanks, plonkah. I'll give it a shot a little earlier thanks to that remark. I'm into media streaming over ethernet, so I'm expecting good things from Windows 7.

[BizarreLoveTriangle]

You are probably right Phuzzy that there is little incentive for home user to upgrade, but what you will find is that older versions as well as not being supported, are no longer compatible with new SERVER-SIDE versions.

Oh yeah, that's typical business à la Microsoft.

I believe the days of IMAP and POP3 are numbered, and it will go in favour of enhanced Webmail.

LOL, as long as Microsoft designs protocols that are not even compatible with their own products (not speaking of other platforms), I don't think so!

[emuler]

Yes, I agree. POP will be around for quite some time yet. With decent broadband and high reliability platforms now becoming the norm (remember the days of Win98 and dialup?), hosting your own POP server is no longer just for geeks (ok, maybe a little).

Eventually, with everyone online all the time, we'll have peer to peer communications across the board.

[deadarise]

I am still using XP and will plan to get a new computer with Win7 soon! My dad just got a new computer HP with Win7 and it looks awesome! It's got loads of new program that XP don't have!

[starfish21]

win7 is the most attractive os so far,they've added some useful utilities that xp didn't have,for example - BITLOCKER - a good drive encrypter,better not forget your password though.when i install xp i always have to go through the nightmare of finding drivers for a lot of hardware,win7 has a great database of drivers.what i hate about it is they've hidden a lot of the familiar controls i liked in xp,like 'show desktop' its now a miniscule button in the right bottom corner,it took me a long time to find that.
i tried it 3 times and went back to xp,now i'm settled on win7 x64.