XP's Fire Still Burning
Here's the funny thing about Windows XP: Just like Rambo, it seems to be a thing that just can't die. Microsoft tried to replace it with Vista, but it was Vista that pushed up the daisies. Windows 7 was a darn good try -- but even with that XP's heart didn't skip a beat.
In fact, XP share actually grew last month, albeit a paltry 0.67 percent. XP still has nearly half the OS market. Meanwhile MacOS totals a bit more than 5 percent. I'm not sure if Net Applications, which did the research, even bothered to look at Linux.
The research is all well and good, but the reader comments underneath the story really tell the tale. You see, IT really understands XP. Shop apps work, and admins know how to fix most every problem. And you don't need to buy a new machine, new OS, new apps and new drivers -- just keep XP chuggin' along.
Many in IT actually buy new machines, then wipe off Windows 7 and install XP -- all for that precious compatibility. And one reader points out that some OEMs still sell new netbook with XP, despite that fact that XP is set to lose support in a couple years.
Given that Microsoft both created and tolerates the situation that keeps XP compelling, I think formal support should be extended.
What say you? Thoughts welcome at [email protected].
Posted by Doug Barney on 02/06/2012 at 1:19 PM