Living with XP
(Credit: Microsoft)Although Windows Vista was released back in January 2007, Windows XP still maintains a stranglehold on personal computing. As of June 2007, according to Net Applications, Windows XP is used by 81 percent of all computer users, compared with 5 percent for Vista and 6 percent for Mac OS and MacIntel combined.
In his weekly column, Killer Download, Jason Parker recently took a look at three popular freeware apps that can extend the power and lifespan of your Windows XP system. CCleaner, RAMBooster, and Auslogics Disk Defrag have all become essential XP tools for those of us on the CNET Download.com team.
Have you switched over to Windows Vista, or are you hanging onto Windows XP as long as you can? If it's the latter, what are your favorite applications for extending the power of Windows XP? Tell me about it in the comments.
Pretty much all the previous OS's released by MS had some major differences that you couldnt live without. Vista does not have this. With programs like the ones mentioned in the article, yahoo widgets, and various programs to change the appearance of XP, I see no need to switch, unless new software and gadgets are released to only work on Vista.
2. Bitdefender AV Free (Used to Daily Scan only)
3. Zone alarm Firewall Free
4. Spyware Terminator Free
5. Adaware 2007 Free
6. Spybot S&D Free
7. Spyware Begone Free
8. Spyware Blaster Free
9. Open Office Free
10. Free Ram Xp Pro
I also use CCleaner & Auslogics defrag which you already have mentioned. I have found that my machine has never run so good before using the above free products and Windows XP
We have Vista on both the Tablet and Laptop. No problems upgrading either one. And everything that we have plugged into it works. We print, take photos, Surf the net, play several Internet based games like Guild Wars, War Rock, etc. From what I've observed, Vista is a minor upgrade for the general user. The only real benifits I've seen are for Network Administrators who have more tools and gadgets to have fun with. But that's just my 2 cents.
I think the Admin controls work better, and the start menu search utility is my favorite aspect of the new OS. Other than that I find that it works much the same as XP.
It's a tough call to judge the break point; That is, Vista takes advantage of quite a few features and has some neat options, but on the other hand I can also read my web based email and play a few games off the CD version of Knoppix or Ubuntu.
Honestly what I'd really like to see a study on is Windows O/S degridation over time. Despite my best efforts to maintain a steady, clean, updated system, inevitably machine after machine and O/S after O/S gets slowly slower and slower... until finally I just redo the thing from scratch.
I'm hanging on to XP because frankly, I don't have the funds to just go out and buy a new computer, since that's what I'd have to do to get Vista. I'm also keeping XP for now because it's having a good run since there are next to no major flaws in it. If it's working for me, why should I be a computer media slave and run out and get Vista?
Personally, I think business aren't getting Vista anytime real soon either because of my above reasoning regarding flaws. They're waiting for Vista to have the bugs worked out of it, too. If I were a business person, I know I'D wait.
If I move to a new house then I will move to a new area, I have already tried various Linux distros over the years and I like what I'm seeing and from what I've seen and used the cost in moving to the a Linux distro (with my current hardware, as an office and web box), well the cost is nothing - its all absolutely free ;)
What does vista do better than XP? For that matter what does XP do better than 98SE? I can't wait for an operatings system that actually changes the way we see the world and work within it; and for the first time ever I am actually looking a mac...
iMac MultiTouch concept: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7500886980042041332&q=imac&total=4178&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=1
(this is a concept video, not made by Apple, but I am amazed with what Steve Jobs is doing, and wouldn't put it past him.)
I have tried vista and I really see no advantage to it for the average user (other than DirectX10). All I see is a power hungry OS for which everyone will probably have to upgrade there computer. So the cost doesn't just end at purchasing a copy of windows.
Windows Xp is nearly perfect now and it does not need a supercomputer (exagerating) to run it.
It seems to me like its just a way for everyone (Not just microsoft) to make money. Thats why it was rushed out.
I would switch to linux like everyone else, I love linux! But one problem still exists with it, almost no game support. And I have alot of games! Yes you can get a emulator, but you have to have a fairly good computer to use it.
So I will stick with XP for now.
Imagine a clip board you can see....but a clipboard
with files and the size of your computer!
I honestly could not function without this prog.
Apparently VISTA does not support OpenGL causing some games, such as MOH, to perform poorly.
If I upgrade to VIsta then I think premiere will need more RAM and all other app of creative suite.
The main reason I am not switching to vista is its High System confiuration requirement.
Mucrosoft should release another OS like vista which does not need aero(buit have nice theme) and tooks less RAM.
Also I need some start menu and windows explorer enhancements to work fast on windows xp. but for only two reasons I will not upgrade to vista.
- Keeping Windows Working Properly
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by weaverrr
August 14, 2007 2:04 PM PDT
- I have become a real fan of System Mechanic 7. I have long given up on the tools provided by some of the major software distributors. System Mechanic 7 works quietly in the background to keep my computers humming along without any major glitches.
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