Window 7 is to Vista as was 98 to 95 and XP to Millennium

If your Windows XP operating system and your current software programs are doing all you want and/or need them to do and you’re not planning any new significant resource demanding computing adventures in the near future - in my opinion there’s no compelling reason for you to upgrade your operating system or your software.

I’m reiterating this bit of Good Boot philosophy as it addresses the most often asked question I received via e-mail following my December 7th Windows 7 article.

But there were a couple of other issues I’ll mention.

Let me first reassure irate XPers that contrary to what they’ve heard, their monitors will not go blue on July 13, 2010 when XP becomes shall we say, a legacy operating system.

All that will happen on July 13th is that Microsoft will no longer provide individual support or security updates for XP.

XP will be around for many years to come. And if you’re concerned about XP security issues, I suggest the bad guys have so much on their plate trying to come up with bad things to do to Vista and now Windows 7, they’ll relegate trying to sabotage XP to a back burner.

Now for those who questioned my enthusiasm for Windows 7.

If you’ve been around for a while, you probably remember my enthusiasm for Windows 98 and XP. Both included the sum total of all the band-Aides Microsoft had to apply to their predecessor to insure a stable and reliable operating system.

As 98 was to 95 and XP was to Millennium, Windows 7 is to Vista. An all the band-Aids applied ready for prime time version of a reliable, stable and user friendly operating system.

With this in mind, I recommend all Vista users consider upgrading to Windows 7. As for Xper’s, it’s your call.

And for those who suggested there’s a conspiracy among software vendors to intimidate users into upgrading to a newer version of their software, I maintain it’s nothing more than an attempt to insure they stay in business for another year and/or an opportunity when a new version of Windows is released to provide valuable new features.

If you’re offended by the annual software vendors’ upgrade marketing frenzy, simply check the upgrade features they offer and make your decision based on whether you believe those features are worth the cost of the upgrade.

I do, however, recommend upgrading your most often used software current at least every two years.

Here’s wishing you a Good Boot.