General Question <XP vs 7>

[Bill Baka]

First allow me to apologize as I am no USENET guru. Typically when I decide
to make a post in hopes some kind soul(s) will give some input/feedback
towards my interests/concerns I am clueless which group to post to. But I
will say I generally get a positive reponse where ever I post.

For the past five or so years I have used 2000 on my home machines. They
actually still use 98 on the clients where I work (which is medical
laboratory) with an antiquated Novell network o/s and Oracle DBMS on the
server. This is primarily due to the fact that I have very antiquated tools
(Visual Cafe for my IDE with SDK 1.1); my app will only run on 98 machines.
Anyway, that is neither here nor there.

My question is about Windows XP vs 7. I am at a point where I would like to
upgrade my home machines to XP. Even though I've been using 2000 for so long
(and very satisfied with it) I do have some XP experience/knowledge. Problem
is that one of the used machines I just purchased has XP on it because that
is what was on it when I got it. Seems like it is not possible to purchase
XP nowadays. It is all Windows 7.

A few friends here and there have had me come and look at their Windows 7
machines. They think because I have a degree in CompSci/Math that I know
everything there is to know about computers. I cannot make them understand I
am a GUI programmer, database programmer, amateur DBA, and data analyst. I
keep telling them I am not a technician but they will not believe me. The
handful of times I've played around with a Windows 7 machine so far I've
found it very counterintuitive and confusing. I do not like it at all! Not
knowing much about XP anytime I've worked on an XP machine I've typically
had little if any problems.

So the question I guess: Is XP a thing of the past? Can I no longer get XP
(it definitely is not in stores)? If I wanted to migrate the clients to XP
at work would that not be possible?

Many Thanks,
-JC

I can only add a small bit to this. I have both XP and 7 running on a
machine I use mostly in linux mode, and the XP has been happy on it's
own hard drive for years now. I played with the 7 and every time I want
to do something it asks me for my password, and no matter what I try to
do about the explorer screen I get icons instead of the details list I
have on XP. 7 will probably want hardware upgrades but did have a driver
for my HP scanner, so there is at least some support built in.
So far, I still like the XP better, but maybe over time I will warm to
the 7. My vote for now would be to stick with the XP or get brave and
try Linux, Ubuntu in my case. There is also the possibility you could
get a virtual machine like Sun's Virtualbox and run windows as a guest
system under either Linux or XP. There is also VMware server for free if
you are only considering it for personal use. It is a bit more work to
set up, but you may like the versatility. XP should be available on
Ebay, maybe even some new in box, since everyone seems to be biting the
7 bait.
Good luck,
Bill Baka

 

[JC]

First allow me to apologize as I am no USENET guru. Typically when I decide
to make a post in hopes some kind soul(s) will give some input/feedback
towards my interests/concerns I am clueless which group to post to. But I
will say I generally get a positive reponse where ever I post.

For the past five or so years I have used 2000 on my home machines. They
actually still use 98 on the clients where I work (which is medical
laboratory) with an antiquated Novell network o/s and Oracle DBMS on the
server. This is primarily due to the fact that I have very antiquated tools
(Visual Cafe for my IDE with SDK 1.1); my app will only run on 98 machines.
Anyway, that is neither here nor there.

My question is about Windows XP vs 7. I am at a point where I would like to
upgrade my home machines to XP. Even though I've been using 2000 for so long
(and very satisfied with it) I do have some XP experience/knowledge. Problem
is that one of the used machines I just purchased has XP on it because that
is what was on it when I got it. Seems like it is not possible to purchase
XP nowadays. It is all Windows 7.

A few friends here and there have had me come and look at their Windows 7
machines. They think because I have a degree in CompSci/Math that I know
everything there is to know about computers. I cannot make them understand I
am a GUI programmer, database programmer, amateur DBA, and data analyst. I
keep telling them I am not a technician but they will not believe me. The
handful of times I've played around with a Windows 7 machine so far I've
found it very counterintuitive and confusing. I do not like it at all! Not
knowing much about XP anytime I've worked on an XP machine I've typically
had little if any problems.

So the question I guess: Is XP a thing of the past? Can I no longer get XP
(it definitely is not in stores)? If I wanted to migrate the clients to XP
at work would that not be possible?

Many Thanks,
-JC

 

[a]

First allow me to apologize as I am no USENET guru. Typically when I decide
to make a post in hopes some kind soul(s) will give some input/feedback
towards my interests/concerns I am clueless which group to post to. But I
will say I generally get a positive reponse where ever I post.

For the past five or so years I have used 2000 on my home machines. They
actually still use 98 on the clients where I work (which is medical
laboratory) with an antiquated Novell network o/s and Oracle DBMS on the
server. This is primarily due to the fact that I have very antiquated tools
(Visual Cafe for my IDE with SDK 1.1); my app will only run on 98 machines.
Anyway, that is neither here nor there.

My question is about Windows XP vs 7. I am at a point where I would like to
upgrade my home machines to XP. Even though I've been using 2000 for so long
(and very satisfied with it) I do have some XP experience/knowledge. Problem
is that one of the used machines I just purchased has XP on it because that
is what was on it when I got it. Seems like it is not possible to purchase
XP nowadays. It is all Windows 7.

A few friends here and there have had me come and look at their Windows 7
machines. They think because I have a degree in CompSci/Math that I know
everything there is to know about computers. I cannot make them understand I
am a GUI programmer, database programmer, amateur DBA, and data analyst. I
keep telling them I am not a technician but they will not believe me. The
handful of times I've played around with a Windows 7 machine so far I've
found it very counterintuitive and confusing. I do not like it at all! Not
knowing much about XP anytime I've worked on an XP machine I've typically
had little if any problems.

So the question I guess: Is XP a thing of the past? Can I no longer get XP
(it definitely is not in stores)? If I wanted to migrate the clients to XP
at work would that not be possible?

Many Thanks,
-JC

Theoretically you can buy XP licenses and software on e-bay but you
would have to be extremely careful about choosing a seller, perhaps
relying on e-bay's "top rated seller" designation. Hopefully you could
get a package capable of full activation, although if internet
activation doesn't work you might have to speak to a microsoft rep to
get confirmation that the serial number is unused and can therefore be
properly activated. Be prepared to beg and grovel. It might be
worthwhile to check around your local area where you could physically
examine the package before buying online.

Personally, I intend to use XP until I have a significant application
which requires updating. Internet Explorer 9 so far is the only
announced application which won't run on XP and I couldn't care less
about that.

You're certainly right that Vista and Win7 are both counterintuative
compared to earlier versions of windows and not for the better. But
that's just my opinion, and for me, the only one that counts. As far
as I'm concerned it my computer to do what I want the way I want,
regardless of microsoft's opinion that we can only lease the software
and not own it outright.

 

[philo]

Take the plunge and go with 7, otherwise you'll be left far behind very
quickly. 7 is the very best OS available today.

Total 100% bull

there is no way Win7 will run on a machines that old...
it's strictly for new hardware

 

[Tim Slattery]

So the question I guess: Is XP a thing of the past? Can I no longer get XP
(it definitely is not in stores)? If I wanted to migrate the clients to XP
at work would that not be possible?

XP is two versions ago. At this point MS is still supporting it, but
eventually they will drop that while Win7 support continues. You can
bet that support for any new hardware that comes along will be in
Win7, maybe in Vista, but not in XP.

IMHO, migrating your work machines to XP instead of Win7 at this point
would not be a good idea.

 

[atec7 7]

First allow me to apologize as I am no USENET guru. Typically when I decide
to make a post in hopes some kind soul(s) will give some input/feedback
towards my interests/concerns I am clueless which group to post to. But I
will say I generally get a positive reponse where ever I post.

When it's time to improve the hardware win7 is the right choice
( Microsoft (sic)) and maybe another o/s if you wish but there are
hardware demands which must be met .A week on 7 and going back to 2000
will be a dissapointment

 

[Man-wai Chang to The Door (33600bps)]

So the question I guess: Is XP a thing of the past? Can I no longer get XP

(it definitely is not in stores)? If I wanted to migrate the clients to XP
at work would that not be possible?

32-bit XP is still being used widely! But you should try 32-bit if not
64-bit Win 7. Also, Win 7 has a so-called XP mode.

 

[Sj]

First allow me to apologize as I am no USENET guru. Typically when I decide
to make a post in hopes some kind soul(s) will give some input/feedback
towards my interests/concerns I am clueless which group to post to. But I
will say I generally get a positive reponse where ever I post.

For the past five or so years I have used 2000 on my home machines. They
actually still use 98 on the clients where I work (which is medical
laboratory) with an antiquated Novell network o/s and Oracle DBMS on the
server. This is primarily due to the fact that I have very antiquated tools
(Visual Cafe for my IDE with SDK 1.1); my app will only run on 98 machines.
Anyway, that is neither here nor there.

My question is about Windows XP vs 7. I am at a point where I would like to
upgrade my home machines to XP. Even though I've been using 2000 for so long
(and very satisfied with it) I do have some XP experience/knowledge. Problem
is that one of the used machines I just purchased has XP on it because that
is what was on it when I got it. Seems like it is not possible to purchase
XP nowadays. It is all Windows 7.

A few friends here and there have had me come and look at their Windows 7
machines. They think because I have a degree in CompSci/Math that I know
everything there is to know about computers. I cannot make them understand I
am a GUI programmer, database programmer, amateur DBA, and data analyst. I
keep telling them I am not a technician but they will not believe me. The
handful of times I've played around with a Windows 7 machine so far I've
found it very counterintuitive and confusing. I do not like it at all! Not
knowing much about XP anytime I've worked on an XP machine I've typically
had little if any problems.

So the question I guess: Is XP a thing of the past? Can I no longer get XP
(it definitely is not in stores)? If I wanted to migrate the clients to XP
at work would that not be possible?

Many Thanks,
-JC

Here I thought I was the very last 2000 user on the planet!

Can't help you w/ your question but will follow all the replies, as I
have access to an unused, relatively new 64 bit/Win 7 computer.

My thoughts were to format the HD & install XP. Is that doable
on a 64 bit machine? And I didn't know Win 7 has an XP mode.

I'm completely satisfied w/ my 2000 system & will stay w/ it till it
quits on me. My scanner is ancient (an HP ScanJet llc), & I don't
know if it would work on anything else, though HP still stores the
required software (DeskScan 2.9 & Copy Utility) on the web.

About the only things I do is web for info, scan illustrative art
which I post the a few binary ngs & e-mail friends & family.
Scanning takes up the majority of my computer time.

Sj

 

[Char Jackson]

Here I thought I was the very last 2000 user on the planet!

Can't help you w/ your question but will follow all the replies, as I
have access to an unused, relatively new 64 bit/Win 7 computer.

My thoughts were to format the HD & install XP. Is that doable
on a 64 bit machine? And I didn't know Win 7 has an XP mode.

Yes, you can format the HD and install XP if you have a copy. The
hardware being 64-bit capable doesn't prevent you from running 32-bit
XP.

Only the higher end versions of Windows 7 include the virtual XP mode.

 

[Gene E. Bloch]

My thoughts were to format the HD & install XP. Is that doable
on a 64 bit machine? And I didn't know Win 7 has an XP mode.

For you and Man-wai Chang - the XP mode is not available for the Home
editions of Windows 7.

However, a virtual machine such as the free VMware Player can run XP, but
you'd have to find and buy a legitimate copy of XP.

 

[Sj]

Yes, you can format the HD and install XP if you have a copy. The
hardware being 64-bit capable doesn't prevent you from running 32-bit
XP.

Only the higher end versions of Windows 7 include the virtual XP mode.

Thanks, both you & Frank - you've been helpful.

Sj

 

[Thip]

So the question I guess: Is XP a thing of the past? Can I no longer get XP
(it definitely is not in stores)? If I wanted to migrate the clients to XP
at work would that not be possible?

Many Thanks,
-JC

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...Description=windows xp&name=Operating Systems

It's OEM but you can still buy it.

 

[Parko]

I tried Ubuntu on an earlier computer, it was quite a reasonable OS but
wouldn't run my favourite Windows programs.

Of course it won't - natively. You could have tried Wine, or Crossover,
or Playonlinux.

http://www.winehq.org/about/
http://www.codeweavers.com/products/
http://www.playonlinux.com/en/

 

[Marti van Lin]

Take the plunge and go with 7, otherwise you'll be left far behind very
quickly. 7 is the very best OS available today.

Or why not take the plunge and go with GNU/Linux? which is - in contrast
to any Microsoft Windows version - supported for all eternity.

If you migrate to ether Windows XP or 7, in time you will have the same
problem. Microsoft will quit supporting Windows 7 (XP will be killed in
2014) and forces you to buy a new version.

Beside that, migrating from Windows 98/2000 to ether Windows XP or 7 is
quite a culture shock. The GUI is totally different.

So if you're at it, why not take the plunge and move to Ubuntu for example?

It saves you and your organization lots of licensing money (because it's
gratis and fully legal) and the amount of development tools (IDE's etc.)
available for GNU/Linux, will knock you off your socks ;-)

You are still able to use Windows 98 if that is important. Simply
install Oracle VirtualBox (Desktop virtualisator) and install Windows 98
in a virtual machine.

I've done it before and it worked flawlessly. And just to think I am
only a hobbyist home user ;-)

You can have gratis support right here:

http://ubuntuusers.de/

or (if you are not German) here:

http://www.ubuntu.com/

With kind regards,

 

[Rob]

Or why not take the plunge and go with GNU/Linux? which is - in contrast
to any Microsoft Windows version - supported for all eternity.

If you migrate to ether Windows XP or 7, in time you will have the same
problem. Microsoft will quit supporting Windows 7 (XP will be killed in
2014) and forces you to buy a new version.

Beside that, migrating from Windows 98/2000 to ether Windows XP or 7 is
quite a culture shock. The GUI is totally different.

So if you're at it, why not take the plunge and move to Ubuntu for
example?

It saves you and your organization lots of licensing money (because it's
gratis and fully legal) and the amount of development tools (IDE's etc.)
available for GNU/Linux, will knock you off your socks ;-)

You are still able to use Windows 98 if that is important. Simply
install Oracle VirtualBox (Desktop virtualisator) and install Windows 98
in a virtual machine.

I've done it before and it worked flawlessly. And just to think I am
only a hobbyist home user ;-)

You can have gratis support right here:

http://ubuntuusers.de/

or (if you are not German) here:

http://www.ubuntu.com/

It is completely pointless arguing which is the 'best' operating system,
when these should be invisible to the user and *never* require the use
of DOS-like text-based commands to fix bugs/incompatibilities.

What the VAST majority of users do is buy applications. They do not
care about operating systems. If a professional needs to run (say) Adobe
Premiere Pro CS/5 as this is his industry's standard, then they will use an
OS on which it is designed to run. Simple as that.

Until application vendors start supplying versions which run natively
in linux etc without using emulators or virtual machines (both of which
require geek-level skills to configure and then fix the known bugs),
linux and it's like will remain the poor cousin of the likes of Windows.

Me? I use applications. As for OS's (in order of preference), I run
my apps in Windows7x64, XP and Kubuntu.

 

[Leythos]

Or why not take the plunge and go with GNU/Linux? which is - in contrast
to any Microsoft Windows version - supported for all eternity.

That's not really true - the new versions are released, updates are
released, at some point you upgrade because they don't keep supporting
version ABC.ABC...

The reason people don't run Linux more than they already do is support
and compatibility with devices and people not running Linux.

 

[Marti van Lin]

That's not really true - the new versions are released, updates are
released, at some point you upgrade because they don't keep supporting
version ABC.ABC...

There for distributions provide a distribution upgrade, from the update
manager.

I kept on working while the distribution upgrade from the former Long
Term Support version to the current LTS version was in progress.

The reason people don't run Linux more than they already do is support
and compatibility with devices and people not running Linux.

I'm sorry I didn't have any problems with hardware support for the last
five years.

If you don't have a driver disk for WinXP or 7, your screwed too. Under
GNU/Linux it's much more likely that your hardware will be supported
right out of the box.

 

[Leythos]

There for distributions provide a distribution upgrade, from the update
manager.

I kept on working while the distribution upgrade from the former Long
Term Support version to the current LTS version was in progress.


I'm sorry I didn't have any problems with hardware support for the last
five years.

If you don't have a driver disk for WinXP or 7, your screwed too. Under
GNU/Linux it's much more likely that your hardware will be supported
right out of the box.

How many Epson printers do you have?

How many Cannon printers do you have?

How many All-In-One printer/scanner/fax devices do you have fully
operational with Linux?

The list goes on.

The one thing we know for sure, drivers for Windows generally come out
with the devices and certainly quicker than for Linux.

 

[Marti van Lin]

It is completely pointless arguing which is the 'best' operating system,
when these should be invisible to the user and *never* require the use
of DOS-like text-based commands to fix bugs/incompatibilities.

I wasn't arguing about what the "best" Operating System is. I merely
offered the OP another money saving option.

The OP of course is free to ignore ;-)

[pointless Evangelism/Advocacy snipped]

 

[Marti van Lin]

Nobody is looking to downgrade, which is what you're recommending.

You are a Liar and a fraud!

I'm not interested in arguing with a religious "what ever company,
Operating System, distro" zealot

*plonk*