Windows 7: So you think XP is the longest running OS -- It's actually W 3.11

Hi there
I'll bet most of you didn't know that it was only as recently as Nov 1 2008 that support for Windows 3.11 was actually stopped

It's the End for 3.11!! - John Coyne's Embedded Blog - Site Home - MSDN Blogs

This was used as an embedded OS for all sorts of products long after other versions of Windows appeared.

(Could be why It's still available on Technet even though products like VISTA and W2000 are not available there).

So XP is still a BABY in this type of environment. !!!!!

Cheers
jimbo

Interesting. I don't have access to the ECE which is too bad.... would have liked to have read the whole article. Thanks for posting.

I started with 3.11 on November 4, 1995. It was installed on my first Windows computer. Cost me 3 times what a good computer would cost today.

We've come a long way, haven't we?

jimbo I think you have discovered one reason Windows 8 is a good thing. It will keep PC people, businesses and governments agencies and the like on XP and Windows 7. I don't think that is what Microsoft had in mind but I do think that will be the effect.

Off-topic, I know, but I always thought unsupported Windows OSes were all available on Technet (Windows 2000 for example). Kinda sad to hear they aren't. =(

People won't be on XP for too long though since the support is running out.

Hi there
If you are using Legacy Hardware or Software who needs or even CARES about support.

Just so long as the relevant device / application works that's all that matters.

Security / Internet browsing etc are 100% TOTALLY IRRELEVANT in these cases.

Am I worried about some geek hacking into a Gas analyser situated near the crater of an Icelandic Volcano.

The hardware is connected to an XP machine in the field, -- files / analysis reports created and THEN the results can be sent over LAN or whatever for further processing via a smartphone even. The XP Virtual machine doesn't need to even be aware of the Internet's existence.

The Analyser can transmit data itself anyway to a station a reasonably safe distance away so who needs the Internet on the legacy hardware. Remote XP connection can be done via a sort of "Dial in" application when field workers don't actually want to get near the crater.

Cheers
jimbo

That's not the case for everyone. One of the computers that my parents use is still on XP. I still have a few friends with XP. They want to switch over to something else as soon as they can because they do bills, check their bank account, and also buy stuff. My work has even switched over to 7 besides one of the computers, that I know of.