Microsoft again extends Windows XP drop-dead date (Computerworld)

[eppur_se_muova]

Effectively adds 4 months to the deadline for system builders to acquire the old OS

By Gregg Keizer

December 22, 2008 (Computerworld) Microsoft Corp. has once again extended an impending deadline for Windows XP's demise, the company confirmed today.

System builders -- the smaller shops and computer dealers that build PCs to order -- will now be able to obtain Windows XP Professional licenses through at least May 30 and likely long after, according to a Microsoft spokeswoman. Previously, Microsoft had set Jan. 31 as its deadline for selling new XP licensees to the distributors that supply system builders.

Microsoft is making accommodations through a flexible inventory program that will allow distributors to place their final orders by January 31, 2009, and take delivery against those orders through May 30, 2009," said a company spokeswoman in an e-mail.

The relaxed rules directly affect Microsoft's authorized distributors, which in turn sell licensees to system builders. Previously, the middlemen distributors, which include well-known names such as Ingram Micro, were told that they had to not only place orders for XP licenses by Jan. 31, but also take possession of those licenses and, of course, pay for them.
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more: http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9124181&intsrc=news_ts_head

[MercutioATC]

1. Of course they did.

When your new ad campaign consists of a lot of "See, our new operating system doesn't suck as bad as you think", you have problems.

They NEED to keep XP alive.

[Belial]

2. AMEN

[louis-t]

3. I agree. They have to try to fool people into trying it.

Only 1 out of 3 new systems is any good from MS. I like XP. I had to buy a Dell that was in a box for 2 years to avoid Vista.

[SharonRB]

11. When I got my Dell laptop last year

I had to settle for a 15" instead of a 17" so I could get XP. No way. No how. was I going to get Vista.

[louis-t]

21. Aw, this one came with a 19". It seemed huge.

Now, I want a bigger screen.

[Systematic Chaos]

5. You'll notice those "Mojave" ads consist of choads who can barely...

... hook up a plug-n-play USB device.

Durp! Wowz I'z impwessed! Durp!

:silly::freak::silly:

[KamaAina]

4. "Why don't they just fix V*sta?"

If they fixed V*sta, then they could sell V*sta, and they wouldn't have to keep selling XP instead of V*sta. :P

[MercutioATC]

10. Vista is like that "Jitterbug" cellphone.

It's for idiots who know nothing about computers..."user friendly" to the point of being a complete albatross.

It has its place, but NOT as a replacement for XP.

[KamaAina]

13. I'm riffing on that Mac ad

where they buzz out the word "V*sta" about a dozen times in a 30-second spot. :-)

[MercutioATC]

14. I haven't seen it...have a link?

[KamaAina]

15. It's a TV ad

not sure where such a link would be. :shrug:

[MercutioATC]

16. Thanks. I'll look for one.

:)

[CatholicEdHead]

20. This one

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xXC_qd8H6Q8

YouTube is your friend.

[Feron]

19. Sigh.

I know a lot about computers and I don't mind Vista. It performs well for me.

And personally I would rank it on the same level as XP. I don't like the fact that have you have to get the super duper edition in order to have all the features however.

[tridim]

6. There's nothing wrong with XP

IMO they should keep selling it until people stop buying it.

[SharonRB]

12. I agree.

[Stinky The Clown]

7. I am sooooooo glad we switch to Macs

[MazeRat7]

8. If its not broke....

Oh wait, were talking about Windoz... nevermind.

All kidding aside, XP is their last hope to stay profitable until they develop a better OS. Vista, as an OS, is nothing more then a calm pool reflection of corporate bureaucracy. Beyond that, they have nothing. Of course we have known this for a while, they are just now catching up.

Micro$oft has never actually invented anything... they only "embrace and extend". I am still amazed they are in business.

Peace,
MZr7

[Xipe Totec]

9. Bring back Windows Classic!

[BlueJazz]

17. As a Tech, I can state that most ( 85% ) of my Customers could do just fine with Windows 98SE.

[shaayecanaan]

18. Probably...

most corporate users just surf porn sites and churn out the odd word document. Mostly they could get by fine - still, XP and Word 2000 is a lot more stable than Word 97 and Win 98SE.