Microsoft’s ongoing struggle to get consumers to embrace the Windows Vista operating system continues this week following more than 75,000 signatures gathering on an online petition calling for the American software giant not to discontinue OEM and packaged sales of Windows XP.
Microsoft offers its reaction to the appearance of more than 75,000 signatures on the \'Save XP\' petition. Credit: Microsoft.
According to Microsoft’s plans for XP, the long-serving software is due to be abandoned this coming June. However, the strength of reaction apparent through the InfoWorld ‘Save XP’ petition clearly outlines that Windows customers -- both business and personal -- are still not yet ready to welcome Vista as the only available OS choice when purchasing new hardware systems.
Moreover, a recent survey carried out by King Research reinforces the impact and relevance of the online petition insofar as it reveals that 90 percent of poled IT professionals have reservations about shifting from XP to Vista. Those professional concerns centred on important migration issues such as stability, compatibility and costs in relationship to hardware and software.
Somewhat worryingly for Microsoft, 44 percent of the 961 IT respondents said they would rather consider adopting an alternative operating system from outside the Microsoft stable rather than be forced to struggle through Vista migratory problems.
By way of response to the growing customer voice building on Infoworld, a spokesperson for Microsoft has today acknowledged that it is aware of the petition but will continue to listen to feedback garnered from partners and customers regarding their needs. That, according to Microsoft, is what informed the software company regarding its prior decision to prolong availability of XP, and that is what it will continue to rely on for guidance.
While not directly commenting on the possibility of the 75,000 signatories having any major impact on Microsoft‘s outlook for its stalwart OS, the spokesperson insisted that XP will not disappear completely from the market beyond the proposed June cut off, outlining that certain areas of the market -- such as small businesses and customers in emerging markets -- do need a little more time before making the Vista transition.
“OEMs will continue to sell XP through June 30th 2008 and system builders will be able to sell XP through January 2009 as they cater to the small business markets,” explained the spokesperson in a ComputerWorld report. “In emerging markets where XP Starter Edition is sold, it will still be available through June 30th, 2010.”
Despite Microsoft’s temporary reassurances regarding XP’s continued presence, customer reaction on the ‘Save XP’ petition seems to indicate mounting concerns from business and personal users that the clock is still ticking for the older OS -- the site even sports an ominous countdown clock.
Specifically, the general gist of those opposed to the discontinuation of XP is that Windows Vista does not offer enough performance incentive over its predecessor for users to shoulder the twin burdens of inconvenience and monetary outlay that await them should they be forced to migrate.
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