To: Mr. Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft
Microsoft: Continue supporting Windows XP
Microsoft has announced that it is discontinuing support of its products, Windows XP and Office 2003, and urges everyone to buy its newest products. Microsoft says that failure to do so "might" result in risks to your computer and operating system; this multi-billion dollar company says it is doing so because it needs to support its newer products, implying that it cannot do both(!).
Why is this important?
Microsoft announced that it was discontinuing support of Windows XP, one of its most successful and popular products, as well as Office 2003. It warns of possible risks without this support, without specifying the risks or the likelihood of their occurring. Microsoft's solution: buy Windows 8 (which has gotten terrible reviews) and Office 2010.
Windows XP is about 12 years old. Would any appliance or car manufacturer discontinue producing parts for used cars or appliances in such a short period of time? Would any large corporation proclaim that it is incapable of continuing to support its older products, because it needs to concentrate on supporting newer products?! Of course not! Nonetheless, this hugely profitable corporation (net worth estimate: almost $70. billion) says it does not have the ability or wherewithal to continue to support its products.
Computers are no longer luxury items. In fact, Microsoft was one of the companies that helped to make PCs first ubiquitous and then indispensable. However, not everyone needs the latest model or many of the additional features of newer versions, and spending hundreds of dollars on new models that are unnecessary can be really a blow to many people.
I urge Microsoft to reconsider, and allow those of us who happily utilize this excellent product to continue doing so, without threats of risk, or actual risk, just to add to its profits.
Windows XP is about 12 years old. Would any appliance or car manufacturer discontinue producing parts for used cars or appliances in such a short period of time? Would any large corporation proclaim that it is incapable of continuing to support its older products, because it needs to concentrate on supporting newer products?! Of course not! Nonetheless, this hugely profitable corporation (net worth estimate: almost $70. billion) says it does not have the ability or wherewithal to continue to support its products.
Computers are no longer luxury items. In fact, Microsoft was one of the companies that helped to make PCs first ubiquitous and then indispensable. However, not everyone needs the latest model or many of the additional features of newer versions, and spending hundreds of dollars on new models that are unnecessary can be really a blow to many people.
I urge Microsoft to reconsider, and allow those of us who happily utilize this excellent product to continue doing so, without threats of risk, or actual risk, just to add to its profits.