Interesting Software and System News

[SpeedyPC]

Windows XP End Of Support Countdown Gadget

Just a little gadget for Vista/7 that shows how many days until XP is finally history.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?FamilyID=53a27766-0168-4617-b44e-74b2886cec6d

Hate to break it to ya...but...
http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=19387.msg635520#msg635520

Kinda pointless imho...since it needs higher than XP...it would only be useful if it was to be used on xp systems to let them know...

spg SCOTT this maybe another reminder just in case that Marc57 may have reposted again for some people might forget the XP EOS in 2014

[DavidR]

Yes a very old piece of news (if it could even be called that), MS are still desperate to try and kill off XP hanging on at 53% market share

This just screams out 'desperation' when the XP users will never see it and why would anyone with Vista or win7 want it. This is a total waste of resources.

[Asyn]

1. ...MS are still desperate to try and kill off XP hanging on at 53% market share

2. This just screams out 'desperation' when the XP users will never see it and why would anyone with Vista or win7 want it. This is a total waste of resources.

1. MS won't get us (XP users) too soon...
2. +1 and a kind of funny approach by MS.

[SpeedyPC]

1. ...MS are still desperate to try and kill off XP hanging on at 53% market share

2. This just screams out 'desperation' when the XP users will never see it and why would anyone with Vista or win7 want it. This is a total waste of resources.

1. MS won't get us (XP users) too soon...
2. +1 and a kind of funny approach by MS.

OT: MS may think all the XP user are looser because we are missing out on the latest W7 OS security features better than XP, all I can say to MS whoopee-dooo-daaaa

[DavidR]

@ Asyn
When April 2014 comes around, many will ignore that as well. We already see it in the viruses and worms forums with people not on XP SP3, some as low as the original XP, some SP1 and many on SP2 so none of those are getting security updates.

By the time 2014 comes around, windows8 or whatever it will be called will be a reality (a factor more likely to make people move) and windows9 will be being hyped for preview/alpha/beta release (which may make them wait)

@ SpeedyPC
The biggest looser in this is MS, Vista is an unqualified failure and win7 is up to a point reversing that trend. But MS are shooting themselves in the foot at every turn in trying to kill XP by not including XP compatibility with XP, e.g. with IE9 and the new Live features (never have got on with the name).

In ditching 53% of your market share and effectively driving them in other directions, if a factor in their overall OS market share. No retailer in their right minds would bar 53% of their potential customers and stay in business.

I read a very interesting article in a magazine 'Micro Mart' about windows8 (Microsoft's Last Chance Salon) on this very thing and if it doesn't adapt to a changing market place and the way we use technology or don't go betting there being a windows10.

[Asyn]

@ Asyn
1. When April 2014 comes around, many will ignore that as well. We already see it in the viruses and worms forums with people not on XP SP3, some as low as the original XP, some SP1 and many on SP2 so none of those are getting security updates.

2. By the time 2014 comes around, windows8 or whatever it will be called will be a reality (a factor more likely to make people move) and windows9 will be being hyped for preview/alpha/beta release (which may make them wait)

1. Could happen and you're right about the ones not willing to update their OS. But about the 'old' SP's - many use non legit copies of XP and therefore don't even want to update...
2. The circle of ...life. ...of MS.

[bob3160]

It's a well known fact that more and more people are doing their surfing using their smart phones.
Is it any wonder that windows 8 is made to look like Windows 7 phone
I because of declining eyesight can't deal with a smart phone so the closest I come to a smart phone is a
netbook or a tablet. Windows 8 is also designed to fit those very well.

[Lisandro]

Is it any wonder that windows 8 is made to look like Windows 7 phone

Yes, it is. There were a lot of leaked screenshots of W8 and the Metro UI is there.

[Marc57]

Sorry about that, I did a search for Windows XP End Of Support Countdown Gadget and it came up zero.


Speaking of old, I just worked on a Win 98 box a couple of weeks ago


Here's a video of Win.8, Can't wait to try the beta.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p92QfWOw88I.

[Dch48]

In ditching 53% of your market share and effectively driving them in other directions, if a factor in their overall OS market share. No retailer in their right minds would bar 53% of their potential customers and stay in business.

I read a very interesting article in a magazine 'Micro Mart' about windows8 (Microsoft's Last Chance Salon) on this very thing and if it doesn't adapt to a changing market place and the way we use technology or don't go betting there being a windows10.

There will always be a Windows,even beyond 10. It may not bear much resemblance to what we have now, but it will be there.

[Lisandro]

People Are Spending More Time In Mobile Apps Than On The Web
http://www.businessinsider.com/chart-of-the-day-mobile-apps-vs-web-minutes-per-day-2011-6

[Marc57]

Is the era of not-free antivirus software drawing to a close?

http://www.informationweek.com/news/security/antivirus/231000191


He has at least one fact wrong: MSE does not auto install if no A/V is detected, It's offered as an optional install.

[scythe944]

Is the era of not-free antivirus software drawing to a close?

http://www.informationweek.com/news/security/antivirus/231000191


He has at least one fact wrong: MSE does not auto install if no A/V is detected, It's offered as an optional install.

According to data collected by software management vendor OPSWAT, from March to May 2011, the top five most-used antivirus products in use in North America were Microsoft Security Essentials (16%), AVG Anti-Virus Free (11%), Avast Free Antivirus (7%), Norton AntiVirus (6%), and Mcafee VirusScan (4%). Interestingly, three of those are free.

The only reason that only three of those are free is because people don't know any better and just pay for whatever came on their computer in the first place (or their ISP).

[bob3160]

Is the era of not-free antivirus software drawing to a close?

http://www.informationweek.com/news/security/antivirus/231000191


He has at least one fact wrong: MSE does not auto install if no A/V is detected, It's offered as an optional install.

According to data collected by software management vendor OPSWAT, from March to May 2011, the top five most-used antivirus products in use in North America were Microsoft Security Essentials (16%), AVG Anti-Virus Free (11%), Avast Free Antivirus (7%), Norton AntiVirus (6%), and Mcafee VirusScan (4%). Interestingly, three of those are free.

The only reason that only three of those are free is because people don't know any better and just pay for whatever came on their computer in the first place (or their ISP).

Ryan,
I run into this constantly at the seminars. Unless someone from the computer club has made a change, the install AV is the one that came with the computer. Many times it's no longer active since the trial period has run out.  :'(

[Lisandro]

Microsoft Releases Fixit to Automatically Diagnose and Fix Common Problems with Windows Update
http://www.askvg.com/microsoft-releases-fixit-to-automatically-diagnose-and-fix-common-problems-with-windows-update

Download it and keep it for the future