XP users: more incentive to move to Linux than W7, some say

A recent article in Network World that discussed the how and when of XP users moving to Windows 7 has unleashed a great, albeit angered, discussion. Some readers are ticked that Redmond has said XP users will receive no discount to upgrade to Windows 7.

Along those lines, one reader wrote: " Move on??? More like forced to move on. You keep right on feeding the Microsoft money machine.I think it is pathetic that MS isn't offering an upgrade option to XP users. With all the issues that Vista had and still has many couldn't use it. Now you will be forced to pay full price for W7."

To which another replied: "I totally agree! The office I work for (real estate) has many programs that is not compatible with Vista so staying with XP as long as possible is the only option available. I have warned them that the day will come when they will have to move on. I agree that MS screws XP customers by not offering them some kind of discount when the time comes to migrate to Windows 7. If I could talk them into it I will suggest maybe some form of Linux....Come on MS....loosen up....greed is so unbecoming!"

Another reader adds, "Juggernaut Rolls On: I am a Microsoft stock holder (very few shares), but I detest everything that rolls out of Redmond. And I live in Redmond! People are fed up with the Microsoft Nonsense that just never stops. Never! You can give us all the platitudes you want. Microsoft has perfected pissing everybody off year after year after year. The lessons are there for them to learn, but of course they know better than we do. I will never upgrade beyond XP. I have moved my business to Linux despite the cost and pain. I have had enough Microsoft nonsense. There are alternatives readily available that remove the monopoly play that MS has been using. They will either evolve or go to the dust bin."

But there are Windows believers still in the room. These are ready and willing to go to Windows 7 as soon as budgets allow them to upgrade their hardware as well. Writes one: "Not if ... When: As corporate budgets have dried up so has the opportunity for many organizations to consider migration to Windows 7. At the earliest next year companies will be adjusting and forecasting budgets to accommodate this platform. It is a logical next step and a much needed one considering that we've squeezed the blood out of the rock from the product called XP. This is a much needed migration especially considering the increased memory demand for applications which almost requires a 6-8GB system in the near future."

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