XP Support About to End

[TechGuyAndrew]

With Microsoft set to only offer updates one more time in March for Windows XP, I think that now would be a good time for Mint to run ads like Google Adwords and such. I realize that Mint is on a very tight budget, so maybe users could help out with the cost. It doesn't cost that much for adwords. We should use keywords like "end of xp support" and "xp lifecycle" etc. Anyways, this was just a thought I had just now.

[xenopeek]

There are several users here that either have their own computer support business, or sell (refurbished) computers. Some of them have reached out to their customers that are on Windows XP, offering to move them to Linux Mint. I think that's the better way to go around this, as the average computer user will not feel confident enough to install an operating system themselves. They didn't install Windows XP either Computer users that are comfortable enough to install other operating systems will find their ways to Linux Mint not based on ads I think.

[Pierre]

point out that XP won't crash & burn in April.

- keep the A/V updated
- don't do any important stuff, like banking, etc.

- it'll work until the H/W crashes, which may be years away.
- don't believe the sales rep, who just wants to sell you a new PC .. ..

[TechGuyAndrew]

Computer users that are comfortable enough to install other operating systems will find their ways to Linux Mint not based on ads I think.

Okay, I guess you are right. A tech savy user would know where to look. Adwords were just a quick thought I had, but I didn't really think about the non-techie people. As I have mentioned in a few other topics, I myself run a computer support business and selling/donating refurbished computers with Mint pre-installed is something I am looking at doing.

point out that XP won't crash & burn in April.

Yes, but software developers will stop developing/supporting software for it.

[Habitual]

point out that XP won't crash & burn in April.

Finally, someone else has said it.

Everyone acts like it's just going to stop working or self-implode.

Yes, but software developers will stop developing/supporting software for it.

They already have.

[Jamesc359]

point out that XP won't crash & burn in April.

Fair enough, but it's worthwhile to point out that XP is on track to become the Windows 98 of this era. That is to say; it's likely there will be a large number of people using XP for a long time to come. Eventually these machines will be riddled with security vulnerabilities. I think we'd all like to avoid that happening.

- keep the A/V updated

Always good advice.

- don't do any important stuff, like banking, etc.

Doesn't that kind of defeat the whole purpose of having an older computer. I mean unless you're playing solitaire/retro games there really isn't a whole lot of things to do on an older computer besides browsing Facebook and doing your banking.

- it'll work until the H/W crashes, which may be years away.

I've seen hardware last for seemingly ages. Well beyond the lifespan of the OS.

- don't believe the sales rep, who just wants to sell you a new PC .. ..

In this case the sales rep's agenda happens to coincide with your best interests. Anybody that's using a Windows XP system for anything other than playing retro games really needs to upgrade; be it to a new computer or a new OS.