It seems users just don’t want to give up Windows XP. A little over a week ago, I wrote a short article discussing the future of Windows Vista and stated how there has been growing support to keep Windows XP as the default operating system for many computers. As this recent MSNBC.com article illustrates, this sentiment remains strong. As stated in the article, InfoWorld has been conducting a petition to “convince Microsoft to spare XP’s fate of being discontinued on June 30, 2008″. The petition has already garnered the support of over 111,000 people.
This MSNBC article follows on the heels of the recent announcement by Gartner analysts that Windows is “collapsing”. While I wouldn’t use the word “collapsing”, I do believe that Windows is starting to lose its position as the end-all-be-all operating system. Depending on whose data you look at, Windows currently holds anywhere from 91 to 96 percent operating system market share and, as the old adage goes, what goes up must eventually come down. From the growing momentum that Apple’ Mac OS X operating system has been experiencing, to the increased adoption rates of Linux distributions such as Ubuntu, users are starting to explore more options for their operating system needs. Does this mean that Windows is on the verge of a collapse? I personally don’t think so. I believe that Windows still has a long life ahead of it, even if that life may be at a reduced market share.. In fact, I think this will be a good thing. Having many options fosters competition, which, as Microsoft itself has recently stated regarding Yahoo’s decision to use Google Ads, is good for everyone.
While it is interesting to see that so many people are supportive of keeping Windows XP, I can’t say that I’m surprised. I have seen many businesses that are still using Windows 2000, let alone XP. Windows users, rest assured, your OS isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. And fortunately, for those of you who dislike Windows, there are many viable alternatives available. The technology industry will certainly look different in the future than it does today, but we can be certain that Windows will have some part in it.
Filed under: Apple, Computers, Mac OS X, Microsoft, Technology Tagged: | Apple, Gartner, Google, Linux, Mac OS X, Microsoft, MSNBC, OS, Ubuntu, Windows, Windows XP, Yahoo!
