Gary North

May 26, 2008

On July 1, Microsoft will stop shipping Windows XP. Most PC buyers will then have to live with Vista. As a user of Vista, I don't want to live with Vista. I therefore have bought a back-up copy of XP Pro, at the suggestion of my son, who is a computer whiz and a Windows expert. He thinks XP Pro is better than XP Home Edition.

Last January, "InfoWorld" ran a story on what is coming.

If you're Joe XP user and you want additional upgrade or full-install packages, your only option is to stock up before the deadline. Only until July 1 can retailers order shrink-wrapped boxes of new XP licenses and upgrade licenses -- what Microsoft calls FPP (Full Package Product) licenses -- to sell to customers like you. Chances are these last licenses will sell out quickly after the June 30 order cutoff.

I have a fear of losing one of my computers in a hard disc failure and not having an original copy of XP to reinstall. It was worth buying a back-up at a discount.

Dell is going to offer XP until early next year as an option.

So are Lenovo and Hewlett Packard. The market for XP is alive.

Apple has had a field day with Vista in its Mac vs. PC TV ads. I like the "Give Up" ad.

If you are worried about a spare operating system, you should consider buying insurance. Better safe than sorry.

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