Windows XP

from JoeUser Forums
Here we go again, I just get windows Xp and I read that soon Microsoft will have a new OS in the way of Longhorn, I guess we can never catch up I have spent a bundle on software, Office, XP, Digital Image Suite 9... is all this going to be obsolete, can anyone answer me.
1,829 views 4 replies
Reply #1 from JoeUser Forums Top
Not for another year and a half or two. Latest I heard Longhorn was slotted for a 2006 release. And to be honest, Windows XP is just about one of the best choices I have ever made. Solid OS. I have been incredibly pleased with it all around. Don't consider it a waste at all.
Reply #2 from JoeUser Forums Top
I now use Windows Server 2003 as my OS on my laptop. I find it run faster and more steadily than XP and have more function on the web.
Multiplicity - Control multiple PCs using one keyboard and mouse
Reply #3 from JoeUser Forums Top
Just because new software comes out doesn't mean you need it. My company uses Office 2000 ( and I do at home) and I see no reason to upgrade. It is not obsolete until it does not do what we need it to. Unless there is a new feature added to the software you use that is critical must have, then stick with what you have.
Reply #4 from JoeUser Forums Top
A rule of thumb to keep in mind - eventually all things computer-related will become obsolete. Unfortunately for the consumer and businesses, the rate at which "things" (OS, software, periferals, hardware etc.) become obsolete is increasing at an exponential rate...almost as fast as Intel ratchets up the speed on their latest and greatest chip.

It's not just you, it's EVERYBODY.

As a personal example, my company is going through a dilema right now. If I were to fill out a magzine survey, I would not be in the category of being able to "authenticate purchases". I would be more in the category of "strongly influencing" purchases.

Four years ago, I was given the go-ahead to upgrade all of the AutoCAD stations. I had heard some scary stories about Windows Millenium and at the time I knew very little about Windows 2000. So, I chose Windows 98 for the CAD stations. At the time the Windows 98 OS worked exceptionally well with AutoCAD 14.

Two years ago, my company decided to upgrade all of that CAD technicians to AutoCAD 2002. There were a few registry tweaks to get AC 2002 to run on Windows 98, but for the most part AC's operation was (and still is) "adequate".

In the past 2 years, we've upgraded all of the Engineers stations to Windows XP. The CAD stations have remained Windows 98 (not my authorization!). AutoDESK has just released AutoCAD 2005, which WILL NOT run with the Windows 98 OS!

And darn....just when my company was thinking of upgrading to AC 2005. lol I told them!

So the dilema: do we upgrade all of the CAD stations to Windows XP, so we can upgrade to AutoCAD 2005? Or do we wait for the next version of the Windows OS?

Taking a step back, all of these chages are happening at a faster rate. There was a time when I could purchase a home computer or company workstation, and it would be good for 4 or 5 years. That still may be true in some cases. But inevitably, I see this 'grace perod" getting shorter.

LLS