Before everyone loved Windows XP, they hated it

[strollin]

It wasn't meant to be this way. Windows XP, now no longer supported, wasn't meant to be popular. For all its popularity and sustained usage, people seem to have forgotten something important about it: it sucked.
...

Memory lane: Before everyone loved Windows XP, they hated it

[jspence1]

Bill.Satellite wrote:

Altern wrote:
Why is it that Mac's do not have the same type problems with OS upgrades?

My guess would be that it's because they come out with so many more so often and require an update to use the newer programs. Let's see:
Windows 3.1, Vista, ME, XP, 7, 8, 8.1 (Did I miss one?)
Apple OS 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10 all with cute names like Leopard and Lions and Tigers and Bears, Oh My!

Just screwing around here, please don't take it seriously!:S

they had a couple of versions before 3.1 but nobody used them that I know of

Windows 3.1,95,98,ME,2000,XP,Vista,7,8 (does anyone actually know how to use windows8)

I never has a problem with XP but I stayed with 2000 for at least a year after is came out, I also haven't had any issues with vista, I've been running it on this laptop since December 2007

[rk911]

conmoto wrote:
I believe XP came before Vista.

old timer brain fart. yes, you are correct. Vista is why I STAYED with XP until Win7 and even then I didn't upgrade to 7 until it had been out for quite a while. WinME is why I stayed with Win98. when XP was introduced and our office made the switch I loved it and bought a new WinXP desktop for the house.

the point is I found WinXP to be very, very stable. i'm finding Win7 to be the same.

[Bill_Satellite]

Altern wrote:
Why is it that Mac's do not have the same type problems with OS upgrades?

My guess would be that it's because they come out with so many more so often and require an update to use the newer programs. Let's see:
Windows 3.1, Vista, ME, XP, 7, 8, 8.1 (Did I miss one?)
Apple OS 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10 all with cute names like Leopard and Lions and Tigers and Bears, Oh My!

Just screwing around here, please don't take it seriously!:S

[2oldman]

salem wrote:
Windows XP on older computers? Will it still operate, you just can't get help, if needed?

Correct. I don't know what the concern is - I have an old Vista machine (that's never on the internet for anything) and it's just fine.

[IND_navyvet]

I liked ME, and XP is a beefier version. ME ran better as factory install, machines updated from 98 seemed to cause more operators headaches.

[salem]

SMKETTNER: Thanks very much for answering my question. We were hoping that would be the case.

[time2roll]

salem wrote:
A non-techie question if you don't mind. So, now what happens to us who have Windows XP on older computers? Will it still operate, you just can't get help, if needed? My computer is over ten years old. Mostly just used for reading RVNet, playing games, etc. Or, will I turn it on someday and there will just be nothing there? Thanks.

It will operate fine indefinitely. Just no security updates. If it is working for you I would keep it at least until Win9 comes out.

[salem]

A non-techie question if you don't mind. So, now what happens to us who have Windows XP on older computers? Will it still operate, you just can't get help, if needed? My computer is over ten years old. Mostly just used for reading RVNet, playing games, etc. Or, will I turn it on someday and there will just be nothing there? Thanks.

[1492]

Altern wrote:
Why is it that Mac's do not have the same type problems with OS upgrades?

One reason, if Apple decides your current system is not going to be supported in the latest OS X version, then most will have to buy the a whole new desktop/notebook if you want to upgrade. Such as my MacBook which is stuck at Snow Leopard officially, though can run Mountain Lion unofficially.

[Altern]

Why is it that Mac's do not have the same type problems with OS upgrades?

[shakyjay]

Personally I disagree with the OP and feel the article referenced is a little misleading. Yes some people did not like it (you can find fault with any OS) however overall it was and continues to be a well accepted OS. It's acceptance might have just been in part due to the fact that it was following on the heals of ME which was a complete disaster. Following XP with another disaster in the from of Vista probably also contributed to it's popularity. Over the years XP has proven to be fairly reliable.

[1492]

There is always controversy with a new Windows release, with some notable review sites panning the latest versions. I actually held on to WIN 2000 so long that by the time I upgraded to XP, most of the software/hardware compatibility issues were all addressed. So liked XP more so than 2000 in most every way.

[NCWriter]

X4.

Windows XP worked fine for me from day one until I retired that beat-up laptop years later.

The Vista system on another laptop we brought was a disaster from day one and only got worse.

[burlmart]

"It all just goes to show, a lot of the things that might worry nerds and Ars readers may not be such a big deal for the computer-using public.

[1775]

Before XP I had a desktop that ran Windows Millennium (ME)- that was a one year flash in the pan for MS. XP was a big advance up from ME.