We all knew it was coming and that we would have to say goodbye to that stalwart. It was stable – not flashy and had updates that were kind of predictable and manageable. Goodbye Windows 7 – we will miss you as that alternatives are less than stellar.
As Microsoft state
Microsoft made a commitment to provide 10 years of product support for Windows 7 when it was released on October 22, 2009. When this 10-year period ends, Microsoft will discontinue Windows 7 support so that we can focus our investment on supporting newer technologies and great new experiences. The specific end of support day for Windows 7 will be January 14, 2020. After that, technical assistance and software updates from Windows Update that help protect your PC will no longer be available for the product. Microsoft strongly recommends that you move to Windows 10 sometime before January 2020 to avoid a situation where you need service or support that is no longer available.
Perhaps we should celebrate with a party on the 14th but it doesn’t feel like we have much to recommend that. The current state of Operating Systems makes me wonder where this will all end. Lets summarise where we are ?
Mac Catalina has been a disaster for many users.
Windows 10 is like a box of chocolates – you never know what kind of update you will get next
Linux – so many flavours but too little texture
IOS – 13 is indeed an unlucky number
Android – too many cooks spoiling the broth
Chrome – Niche … really Niche (thanks Mr Trump)
Makes poor reading – doesn’t it ? How could these huge companies and organisations make such a hash of their staple products. Personally I think its by trying to pander to too many masters and to retain backward compatibility when the kit that it will be running on is well past its sell by date.
Too often clients hang on to older equipment and experience all the resultant issues that it brings – compatibility – reliability – real cost of ownership. PCs, laptops and servers are NOT AN INVESTMENT – they are a commodity with a shelf life.
Its time that we looked again at the actual users requirements – what are users doing with their devices for 8 hours or so a day – and build flexible Operating systems with compatible apps that can perform and be managed and that users can actually use. So 2020 – time to go back to the drawing board?