Back in my 20s I thought a Life Cycle was one of those stationary bicycles I sweated on at the gym. Indeed, the clever manufacturer had named them “Life Cycle.” But in software development, a life cycle is a product’s usable lifespan. A product is born or introduced, used, then eventually it fades away as a replacement or update comes along.
According to Microsoft, the life cycle for Windows XP is drawing nigh. After June of this year you will not be able to buy a Windows XP computer.
It’s been a good life for XP. Presently Windows XP is the most popular computer operating system on planet Earth. But XP is old in computer terms. It was introduced in 2001. While being 7 years old may be young for a human, or middle aged for a dog, it’s ancient in computer terms.
Technology is always changing, especially with computers. Bill Gates was correct when he said that software never becomes obsolete. I would augment that to say that while technology never becomes obsolete, it doesn’t discount that newer technology is better.
For example, we could still move large objects by rolling them on a series of logs. That process works, but we have better ways to move large things. Another example: You can still make a phone call using pulses or a dial phone. It works, but touch tone is better. And while a car from the 1950s would run today, it would pollute like nothing you’ve ever seen.
Windows XP still works and serves legions of people well. But even if you decide to never upgrade, you must suffer through Microsoft’s product life cycle. Here are the details:
June 30, 2008. Microsoft will stop providing Windows XP to computer manufacturers. (This timeframe has already been extended from its original date.)
January 32 31, 2009. At this date, Microsoft will stop selling Windows XP to you, me, or anyone.
April 14, 2009. Microsoft will discontinue “live” Windows XP support. No more phone calls. Also, no more updates unless they’re security related.
April 8, 2014. No more support for Windows XP. Period.
Don’t let such seemingly bad news stew you: Next month Microsoft is releasing Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3). So they must still care, right?
Honestly, XP has had an impressive life cycle. While I enjoy using Windows Vista, and recommend it, I believe that many XP users will hold out for Windows 7 instead of updating to Vista — if they can. After all, your PC has a life cycle, too. Consider yourself lucky if your PC lasts the same 7 years that XP has.
Ummmm… there’s not such thing as January 32nd. But, otherwise, interesting.
Comment by Douglas — March 26, 2008 @ 3:29 am
I could make up something here about using base 8, but that would make even less sense…
Comment by admin — March 26, 2008 @ 8:48 am
Perhaps you’re attached to Windows XP soooo much, you can’t bear to part with it. Or, perhaps Microsoft made a screwup, and, because there is no January 32nd, they’ll never stop selling it 😉
Comment by Douglas — March 26, 2008 @ 4:49 pm
I’m not attached to Windows XP at all. I just don’t edit my own stuff well. I remember typing 32 because it’s easier than typing 31. But I forget to go back and correct it.
And who knows? Microsoft may change the date again. This whole “Vista is a disaster” thing is merely a perception being pushed by the media. I remember that same media absolutely fawning all over themselves with Windows 95, which I believe was a disaster. I was on the Craig Crossman radio show in 1996 and he was babbling on and on about Windows 95 and how awesome it was (like he never had used a Mac). Then I came on and said how expensive it was and that things didn’t work like old software and printers. It wasn’t what they wanted to hear.
Oh well.
Comment by admin — March 26, 2008 @ 4:55 pm