Windows 7, Vista Gain at XP's Expense
Posted 09/03/09 at 07:28:00 PM by Pulkit Chandna
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The venerable Windows XP operating system has shown few signs of perishing despite the fact that it is almost eight years old. Windows XP’s durability must be worrying Microsoft, which is preparing for the retail launch of XP’s grandson, Windows 7. But the OS usage figures for August released by web analytics company Net Applications will surely comfort Microsoft.
Windows XP usage plunged 1.1 percent in August, equaling its previous worst showing in November 2008. XP still has a viselike grip on the OS market, with a 71.8 percent market share. According to Net Applications’ data, Vista usage reached an all-time high of 18.8 percent in the month of August, during which it rose by 0.9 percent. Windows 7 also gained 0.3 percent to finish the month with a 1.2 percent market share.
WinXP
Submitted by Trooper_One on Sat, 09/05/2009 - 8:59am
Just like the 3.5" floppy, I think WinXP will be staying for a tad longer. My g/f mom, who's not really into computing other than checking email, web surfing, and the odd Big Fish games, she's perfectly happy with the Barton 2500 and XP - until I took that away from her and forced my old comp with Vista. she complained for about a month and is now (somewhat) settled.
But yea, if it works for a person, I guess it works... Did you know there's lots of cash terminals out there that still use *gasp* Win 3.1? And with these netbooks out there, WinXP will still have a good life ahead.
Submitted by MRrelabled on Fri, 09/04/2009 - 9:18am
As far as how great Windows 7 or Windows XP are, well I think the bar is just so low. I mean things that I would think would be essential to any OS you have to get third party but you do get cool 3d screen savers, but then again no one has a monitor that needs a screen saver and even if they did these screen savers would burn a fixed image into the screen. Remember XP came out after ME and 7 comes on the heels of Vista. The bar is very low still.
Submitted by sjones72751 on Fri, 09/04/2009 - 4:52pm
So you're saying you prefer the bloated feel like we had with Vista? When it comes to an OS, I prefer to have a bare bones OS and add any funtionality to it, whether it be in the form of addons or third party apps. I personally like the direction MS is going with 7, ship it slim, add what you need, don't add what you don't need. It's what Vista should've been. So far it has good stability, great driver support out of the box, and I like what they've done with the taskbar and aero. All OSes have ups and downs, so far I think 7 is in the right spot.
Windows ins't that bad...
Submitted by 1337Goose on Fri, 09/04/2009 - 9:26am
First of all, XP succeeded Windows 2000, which wasn't a half bad OS itself.
I'm more curious to know which essentials you're referring to when you say they should have been included with the OS. Additionally, you can't really complain about the smoke and mirrors in any operating system. Practically every operating system has shiny stuff to keep the masses satisfied (Compiz on Linux, and as for Mac, I don't even think that there's an OS under all of that bling).
~Goose
Submitted by lhatten on Fri, 09/04/2009 - 12:14pm
Rather than listing the essentials, let's talk about a couple of things that I think are missing from Microsoft OS's.
1. A really good virus/trojan/rootkit/ program.
I understand the when MS DOS first came out, there was no perceived need for such a thing, but soon it became apparent that it was essential. It is the OS job to ensure the safety of the system!
2. A decent backup that keeps up with the times and supports the latest media. Backup that supports only floppies, tape drives, and CDs is ridiculous.
These are things that Microsoft currently does not do, or does not do well. A top notch OS should protect the user from outside attacks, and keep the data safe.
Submitted by 1337Goose on Fri, 09/04/2009 - 2:57pm
It's definitely not a perfect OS, but it deserves a little more credit than people give it.
Personally, I use Linux a lot more than I use Windows, so I understand where that first bullet point comes from. *nix Operating systems do a very good job of keeping the root directories secure. However, I don't think it's Microsoft's job to provide malware solutions to the end-user. Besides, Microsoft security has been a weak point in the past, but I think it's come a long way in the last decade or so.
I think the second point is a little moot considering the number of third-party applications available for performing backups. I think Windows 7 introduces an even more robust and functional backup solution.
~Goose
Submitted by samduhman on Fri, 09/04/2009 - 7:29am
I'm ready for the next generation of PC gaming/graphics (DirectX11). Time for us to let XP die and move on to Windows 7. XP is getting to be a little long in the tooth. Since I upgraded to Vista and now 7 system crashes and just general irritating issues are pratically non existant. The new OSes just seem to work better.
Windows 7 isn't even out
Submitted by gendoikari1 on Thu, 09/03/2009 - 7:04pm
Windows 7 isn't even out yet, and it has over 1% market share. People must really like it.
Submitted by MeTo on Fri, 09/04/2009 - 6:24am
It was a "huge" "free" beta does not surprise me.
it is actually a good thing
Submitted by frizzly on Thu, 09/03/2009 - 6:37pm
it is actually a good thing that XP is so strong. ussually a company will hold back and make a product just a little better and sell it as new. Now Microsoft is their own competition forceing a dramadic change to make good sales. ecspecially after Vista.
Frizzly Mejere "Once you go down the dark path, forever will it dominate your destiny."
Submitted by 1337Goose on Thu, 09/03/2009 - 5:10pm
XP has to be the "Stride Gum" of operating systems. Soon Microsoft will have to beat us to"just spit it out already"!
~Goose
Submitted by JoetheMobster on Thu, 09/03/2009 - 7:44pm
LMFAO - I like that one! The only holdout in my family is my wife - she's still on XP and will probably fight before giving it up. I'll have to show her this one.
Submitted by 1337Goose on Fri, 09/04/2009 - 7:00am
Haha, Glad everybody liked it.
Too bad it didn't have the same effect on twitter.
~Goose
Submitted by rodjav305 on Thu, 09/03/2009 - 6:49pm
I Lol'ed. Someone should use that for advertising
COPYRIGHT IT....QUICK!
Submitted by DBsantos77 on Thu, 09/03/2009 - 9:13pm
COPYRIGHT IT....QUICK!
thats actually a pretty good
Submitted by dracx619 on Thu, 09/03/2009 - 6:26pm
thats actually a pretty good analogy. lol
Submitted by dracx619 on Thu, 09/03/2009 - 6:25pm
thats actually a pretty good analogy. lol
Submitted by DBsantos77 on Thu, 09/03/2009 - 6:24pm
Very good way of putting it.
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