FWIW I am typing this in Firefox on Redhat.
Can people still buy computers capable of running XP without extensive tweaking? Last time I saw someone installing XP on a modern, post-Vista, PC the process included downloading stuff into usb drives so that the PC could use the network.
Windows 7 sells because Dell, HP and Acer sell and the machines that were in service running XP had to break some day. Normal people use whatever their computers come with and almost nobody buys boxed Windows. Vista was an exception - it was so bad people preferred using XP, even if installing it took a whole day of boots and downloads. When OEMs start to integrate 8 into their boxes you'll see 8's adoption match OEM shipments very closely. Microsoft even declared Vista was very successful based on that kind of number.
> FWIW I am typing this in Firefox on Redhat.
I don't see what effect this has on your reasoning. You won't be "more right" because you don't use Windows.
That has nothing to do with current hardware. I had to do that back in the day too. You people have been spoiled with Vista and Windows 7.
Why would you want to? It won't be any faster. If you need XP compatibility for something, use regular virtualization or XP Mode.
Someplace else I pointed out Microsoft has only 5 clients they really care about: Dell, Lenovo, Acer, HP and Asus.
Just attempting to stymie folks deciding I must be a rabid Windows fanboy.
Competing with 'free' is only hard once the cost is broken out and made visible.
I was personally responsible for the purchase of 3 windows licenses last year, but I didn't use any of them. The Microsoft tax makes it seem as though things are better than they really are, it's only a couple of percent but it does make a difference and I think that percentage would be higher if people had to pay the full list price for their windows licenses.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2009/oct/21/windows-7-l... - Windows 7 broke Amazon's record for being the most pre-ordered product, overtaking Harry Potter (!) and other products.
Win7 is doing incredibly well at retail sales and enthusiasts who build their own computers and buy OEM copies.
Besides, if people wanted something else, they would get that. Every year Linux is ready for the desktop yet isn't and for many people Macs are too expensive for their budget. Both also have the associated learning cost which for many consumers who are not enthusiasts can't afford. It's up to ? to get Linux recognised and lamenting about how mean Microsoft is won't get ? anywhere. It's only for so long ? can blame others.