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TECHNOLOGY On April 8 Microsoft Exits XP - What Are You Going To Do? April 7, 2014  By Bobbin BeamWith Microsoft ending its support of the Windows XP operating system on April 8, I thought it might be of interest to my voice over friends who may also still be using that legacy program to know that high numbers of individuals and companies are sticking with the aging OS. According to PC Magazine, Windows XP is the second most popular Microsoft OS behind Windows 7 and was used by almost 28% of all PC users worldwide as of March, 2014. This article is not to instigate a Mac versus PC debate. I really hope people get over it. Nobody will win that one. I just have always had Microsoft products, and like many others, I’m sharing some relevant thoughts and actions about the death of Windows XP in my world and the workstations of countless others in my shoes today. BREAKING UP IS HARD TO DO I learned about a year ago that Microsoft’s support for Microsoft Windows XP would end on April 8, 2014. Time flew and voice over work and activities of daily business and life kept me so occupied, and I suppose a bit of denial kept my head in the sand for too long. It couldn’t be. Heck, I just bought this machine four years ago, specifically built with with XP, a stable system I was used to working with. I babied this laptop, maintained it, and it continues to function, faithfully and fast. Only about 20% of the 500 GB hard drive has been used. Yet toward the end of 2013, after considerable thought and research, I made the move knowing about XP’s sunset date, and a new Dell laptop loaded with Windows 7 arrived on New Year’s Eve. DELAYING THE SWITCH There was a lot of work to be done, though. Regular voice over projects, client deadlines, plus moving into the new machine seemed a daunting task. Getting familiar with a new operating system, loading my most-used programs, passwords, configurations, shortcuts and putting everything in its place was too much at the time. I didn’t even turn on the new laptop for a month. Again keeping my head in the sand, knowing the death of XP was looming closer each day. Not good! SECURITY AND MALWARE THREATS Oh, and what about the threat of hackers hacking XP and other malicious stuff? According to PC World: Windows XP may be popular with users, but Microsoft is urging people to upgrade to a newer version of Windows, and soon. Microsoft and third-party security companies say the OS is simply no longer secure and cannot meet today’s online threats the way Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 can.Plus, a significant Windows 8.1 update is to be released on April 8th. A big day, all around for Microsoft users, to be sure. April 8 will see the final public release of security patches and Microsoft Security Essentials for Windows XP. PC Magazine says: Bad news for those still planning to cling to their legacy Windows XP systems after the operating system’s official "death” on April 8, 2014: While the OS will certainly work come April 9, you’re going to start heading into the wild, wild West of viruses, exploits, and other unfriendly computer hijinks.Another note: There will be less support and cessation of third-party software and apps for XP that will work in the not-so-distant future. HAVE WINDOWS 7 NOW Luckily, my XP system came with a free Windows 7 upgrade four years ago. Equally fortunate is to have the opportunity for redundancy in my work space, plus the knowledge that our U.S. government has contracted with Microsoft and will be using Windows 7 as its primary OS. Because of this, according to my Dell tech specialist, Microsoft will be supporting Windows 7 for about 15 years. And I’m feeling comfy with the newer machine. Change is a challenge, but I must say I was very pleased when I turned both laptops on simultaneously and the new OS started up real fast! Next I will be moving the final files and complete the last Carbonite cloud backup and mirror image from my XP, which will finish the move to the new Windows 7 laptop. Then I'll wipe the hard drive clean and finally load up that free upgrade to Windows 7 that came with the old XP … soon to become my second Windows 7 in the office. ----------------------- ABOUT BOBBIN Bobbin Beam has worked professionally behind the microphone since she was 18. She has been a full time voice actress for 20+ years, following a number of years in FM rock radio from Milwaukee to San Diego. Her career dreams hatched upon the living room stage at the age of four, performing "Snow White” for her family. Before age 12, Bobbin formed an acting troupe with neighborhood kids, and wrote, directed and produced plays in the family barn. Bobbin has now returned to Wisconsin, where her career began, yet her voice is heard all over the world. When not recording, she’s a blogger, learner, cook and volunteer. She also loves singing, swimming, kayaking, reading, writing, cycling, hiking, yoga and life. Email: bobbin@BobbinBeam.com Web: www.BobbinBeam.com |
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Comments (3)
Cecelia JOnes
4/8/2014 at 10:12 PM
Thanks Bobbin. I'm thrilled that you,a very successful VO artist, endorse 7. Now I'm a lot less anxious about whether to switch from PC to Mac. I'm comfortable with Windows 7, probably not going to make the switch anytime soon.
Dane Reid
4/7/2014 at 7:10 PM
I love 7 and am glad it will be supported for so long.
Dana from Serious Vanity
4/7/2014 at 4:51 PM
Aww, I'll miss XP! Still running it on my old studio VAIO. I've kept it offline for years, so lack of support isn't really too much of an issue, but my Windows 7 machine has gradually gotten more of the new installations, so I know it's just a matter of time before we say goodbye for good. WAHHH!! ;) Working in adjustment time for the new operating systems as they come up is something all creatives and solopreneurs working online should consider mandatory. Gotta take time to find your groove!
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