Windows XP

[glorybound]

As you probably know, Windows XP is no longer going to be supported as of April 8th. So, does anybody have a way to save money? We have about 85 XP workstations currently in service. How many of you are moving to Google? I am going to find out, but most of our users have a PC to email and maybe Word now and then. I have a Surface 2, which comes with Office and it's all most would need. Also, I lived for about 6 months in my Chromebook, with Google Docs, which would be sufficient for most.

[Dariusz Makowski (Dadal)]

Dump those 85 licenses on ur render boxes.

[glorybound]

This is for my 9-5, so they are not mine to use.

[Dariusz Makowski (Dadal)]

Put good anty virus, spyware, firewall and just use those 85 like nothing happen.

[glorybound]

That might not be a good idea. The 3rd party vendors (anty virus, spyware, firewall) will probably stop supporting it, too

Put good anty virus, spyware, firewall and just use those 85 like nothing happen.

[andybot_cg]

Well, if there's a decent IT person, you could just as easily move to Xubuntu and OpenOffice on those machines. I've been using it for years for email and Office. It's easy to network to Windows machines. Downside is setting it up, and there is a bit of adjustment to using Linux - but very minor from the desktop user POV. I know it's a long shot, but worth the thought.

[glorybound]

I have used both Ubuntu and Open Office (LibraOffice) and I think that's all most would need, but I don't think I could persuade people to move in that direction. I am thinking Chromebook with Google Doc or Surface 2 with Amazon Workspaces.

Well, if there's a decent IT person, you could just as easily move to Xubuntu and OpenOffice on those machines. I've been using it for years for email and Office. It's easy to network to Windows machines. Downside is setting it up, and there is a bit of adjustment to using Linux - but very minor from the desktop user POV. I know it's a long shot, but worth the thought.

[andybot_cg]

Wait, are you talking about just updating the OS or replacing the machines?

[Neilg]

That might not be a good idea. The 3rd party vendors (anty virus, spyware, firewall) will probably stop supporting it, too

Dont use ones with a subscription model. their databases will still get updated.

I dont know why this is a big deal, they're not going to force you to uninstall xp. they're just no longer supporting it. Leave them as they are.

[glorybound]

Windows XP on Patch Tuesday

There has been quite a lot of talk recently about the end of support for Windows XP. After more than a decade of good service, the old girl is being put out to pasture, and this means that as of April there will be no more patches and updates released. But in the meantime, there are still some known problems that need to be fixed, and Microsoft is doing what it can to ensure that any security holes are plugged in time.


This month's Patch Tuesday is an excellent case in point. Back in November, Microsoft issued a security advisory about a kernel vulnerability that affects both Windows XP and Windows Server 2003. The vulnerability does require a potential attacker to have valid login credentials and "could not be exploited remotely or by anonymous users".


But the problem is being address in this month's Patch Tuesday. It is ranked as being as "important" update, and it is something of a landmark as there is the potential for it to become the latest update ever made to Windows XP.


Do you feel comfortable continuing to use Windows XP knowing that should a major security problem be discovered, it will not be fixed? We already know that there still are quite a number of XP users out there What happens when (and it is going to be a case of when rather than if) another problem is found and Microsoft does not fix it. Will this be enough to convince you to upgrade, or will you rely on other security tools to keep you, your computer and your data safe?

[glorybound]

The machines are probably just as old as the O/S, so it'll probably be hardware, too.

Wait, are you talking about just updating the OS or replacing the machines?

[Dariusz Makowski (Dadal)]

Well the chance of u getting attacked are very slim... Unless you are secret bank or an organisation that holds lots of $$ which hackers could access... I doubt u ever had any hack attempt and I doubt u will in future as win XP as it fades out, risk of attack fades out as well simply because hackers are more itnerested in win vista(not sure if any1 is interested in this crap) but win 7/8 are main targets. So I would just get proper antyvirus and security and keep on using them like nothing ever happen.

[glorybound]

Microsoft's venerable Windows XP operating system is six times more likely to be successfully hacked than newer Windows 7 and Windows 8 personal computers.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/cybertruth/2013/10/29/windows-xp-users-six-times-more-likely-to-be-hacked/3287615/

[Neilg]

yeah but nobody is even going to try. doesnt matter if it's easier. nobody wants to hack your office and nobody has tried, you're not working on half life 2 and you arent a bank.

The only thing you need to worry about is spyware from workers going on the web. but any anti spyware/virus will have you covered and work fine forever.

[glorybound]

can I get a written guarantee

yeah but nobody is even going to try. doesnt matter if it's easier. nobody wants to hack your office and nobody has tried, you're not working on half life 2 and you arent a bank.

The only thing you need to worry about is spyware from workers going on the web. but any anti spyware/virus will have you covered and work fine forever.

one in five small businesses falls victim to cybercrime each year
http://www.pcworld.com/article/2046300/hackers-put-a-bulls-eye-on-small-business.html