TM1 Forum

Fewer than one in 10 developers are writing applications for Microsoft's Vista operating system, according to new statistics from analyst house Evans Data.

Evans Data's Spring 2008 North American Development Survey found that eight per cent of developers are working on Vista applications, compared to nearly 50 per cent on Windows XP, which Microsoft will cease selling on 30 June.
"Developers have taken a wait-and-see approach to Vista," said Evans Data president John Andrews.

"The new operating system has had more than its share of problems and the desire to move from XP on the Windows platform is still lagging.

"Coupled with interest in alternative operating systems, this is suppressing development activity and that in turn will further erode Vista's acceptance."

The survey also found that the majority of developers are likely still to favour XP in 2009. Some 24 per cent said that they would be focusing on Vista next year, compared to 29 per cent for XP.

but I've yet to hear a sophisticated user say anything positive about it

John Hobson wrote:Thanks guys

I note that MS have now apparently ceased selling XP.

With the June 30, 2008, "end of sales" date for Windows XP approaching, many people have asked me if they will still be able to get support for Windows XP. The answer is an emphatic "yes, you will continue to be supported." We recently released Service Pack 3 for Windows XP and we will continue to provide security updates and other critical updates for Windows XP until April, 2014. Our ongoing support for Windows XP is the result of our recognition that people keep their Windows-based PCs for many years and a reflection of our commitment to provide the highest level of support for all our customers.

The other question people ask is whether they will be able to buy PCs with Windows XP after June 30. The answer again is "yes." It's true that we will stop selling Windows XP as a retail packaged product and stop licensing it directly to major PC manufacturers. But customers who still need Windows XP will be able to get it. For example:

For businesses small to large, buying Windows Vista Business or Windows Vista Ultimate provides the option to use Windows XP Professional through a customer benefit known as "downgrade rights." Downgrade rights are also available to all business customers that license Windows, such as Windows Vista Enterprise, through our Microsoft Volume Licensing programs. In addition, some of our OEM partners are planning to offer services designed to help business customers that buy these versions of Windows Vista on new PCs to exercise their downgrade rights. This is a great value because it lets you use Windows XP on new PCs today if you need it and then make the move to take advantage of the additional capabilities of Windows Vista when you are ready, without having to pay for an upgrade.

If you're interested in learning more about how to get Windows XP Professional through downgrade rights, contact your favorite PC maker.

As our next generation PC platform, Windows Vista has many advantages that make it the best choice for people who are buying a new Windows-based PC to use at home or in a small business. However, some small business customers may have applications that aren't compatible with Windows Vista. In most cases, your software vendor should have an updated version of these applications. In the case that you still need Windows XP Professional as noted above, you can purchase Windows Vista Business or Windows Vista Ultimate on a new PC and then use downgrade rights until you are ready to upgrade to Windows Vista. When you are ready, you are "future proofed" since you already have a license for Windows Vista.

For customers interested in buying a low-end personal computer (often referred to as a "NetBook" or "NetTop"), we are making Windows XP Home and Windows XP Starter available for use on these budget systems. Additionally, System Builders (sometimes referred to as "local OEMs"), may continue to purchase Windows XP through Authorized Distributors through January 31, 2009. All OEMs, including major OEMs, have this option.

John Hobson wrote: I was kind of hoping it might be possible to start off with a brand new laptop without 5 years worth of "upgrades" needing to be downloaded and applied to XP Sp2 before I do anything else

Windows® XP Service Pack 3 (SP3) includes all previously released updates for the operating system. This update also includes a small number of new functionalities, which do not significantly change customers’ experience with the operating system.

John Hobson wrote:To be honest I've never used Vista so have no idea what it may or may not do.

Is Vista really that awful?

David Usherwood wrote:Matt, I have an Asus EEE 701 which runs a customised Xandros. I installed Wine (not 1.0). Architect 90SP3U4 works fine. Server starts up, shows cubes loading, then dies.

David Usherwood wrote:Matt, I have an Asus EEE 701 which runs a customised Xandros. I installed Wine (not 1.0). Architect 90SP3U4 works fine. Server starts up, shows cubes loading, then dies.