Windows XP R.I.P.

I've had a steady number of requests for Windows XP on a new system. I've had to tell them that it is no longer available from DELL or any other manufacturer or retailer and apart from a few 'dodgy' copies on eBaY that's it. No more.

I then try to sell them on the benefits of the new Windows 7 over an operating system that was designed over 15 years ago, sold for the last 10 years, no longer supported from Microsoft for consumers, etc. It generally comes down to two excuses as to why they want it; I'm used to Windows XP and don't want to change (usually an elderly customer); or my business critical application only runs on Windows XP or IE6. For the latter I argue if it is business critical either buy the updated version or switch to an application that is supported for Windows 7 and the future. With a lot of pirated software in the small business segment these become hard lessons to learn.

There are exceptions, such as Lotus Organiser. This little application won the hearts and minds of users many years ago and though it has been discontinued by IBM it is sorely missed and there is a limited upgrade path to any similar application. If anyone has the source code and could develop a similar product for a reasonable cost they would have a winner.

So the end is nigh for Windows XP, but I dare say I will still be 'fixing' it for a few years yet on old DELL, Compaq, Time, Acer, etc. systems to prove what an enduring bit of software it really is.