Backlash slaps Microsoft's 'help-a-friend-dump-XP' plea

Backlash slaps Microsoft"s "help-a-friend-dump-XP" plea
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Computerworld – Microsoft’s appeal to its technically-advanced customers to help friends and family ditch Windows XP did not quite work out
like the company had hoped.

Rather than jump to assist people they knew who still ran the soon-to-be-retired XP, users blasted the plea in comments appended
to Microsoft’s Friday entreaty.

“Ummm…how about NO? Is the word ‘NO’ in Microsoft’s vocabulary?” asked Steve Chabot in one of those comments posted Sunday.
“I will not advocate upgrades that require people to relearn the basics of a user interface or replace perfectly good hardware
simply for the privilege of running an overblown phone OS.”

On Friday, Microsoft asked its technically astute customers to help others migrate from Windows XP, but mentioned only Windows 8.1 as a solution. “We need your help spreading the word to ensure people are safe and secure
on modern up-to-date PCs,” wrote Brandon LeBlanc, a Microsoft marketing communications manager, in a blog post.

+ ALSO ON NETWORK WORLD What is the price of not upgrading Windows XP? +

LeBlanc suggested readers assist others in either upgrading their current Windows XP personal computer to Windows 8.1 — assuming
the hardware is up to snuff — or help them pick out a new PC to replace their aged machine.

That riled users, many of whom cited their financial straits, saying that they had neither the money for a $ 120 copy of Windows
8.1 much less hundreds more for a new computer. Business owners chimed in too, noting that their businesses rely on software
that only run on XP or arguing that to purchase new PCs would be foolish for their bottom lines when their current computers
work fine.

LeBlanc’s pitch stemmed from the impending support cut-off for Windows XP. After nearly 13 years, Microsoft will provide the
last public security updates for XP on April 8. After that date, Microsoft and outside security experts have predicted, those
XP-powered PCs will be in the crosshairs of cyber criminals.

Others blasted LeBlanc for writing what they viewed as an advertisement for Windows 8.1. “Honestly, this sounds more like
a sales pitch for Windows 8.1 than any kind of interest in what is actually best for my friends and family,” said Naru in
a Saturday comment. “Had the article actually mentioned both Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 as options, I would be able to take
it more seriously.”

Microsoft has pulled Windows 7 from its own online and retail stores, and stopped selling it to retailers last October. Still,
most retailers have stocked up on Windows 7, and continue to move the 2009 OS at prices between $ 90 and $ 100.

Nor has the company offered XP owners a discount on Windows 8.1 to tempt them into dumping the ancient OS.

Although the comments added to LeBlanc’s blog — and the hundreds posted to a story Computerworld published last Friday –
included a handful praising Windows 8 and 8.1, with the usual Linux fans touting the open-source OS as an alternative, most
objected to the new two-headed Windows 8/8.1, which features both a traditional desktop and a new tile-based, touch-first
“Metro” user interface (UI), as a replacement for XP.

Netflash

Read more about Backlash slaps Microsoft"s "help-a-friend-dump-XP" plea and other interesting subjects concerning NSA at TheDailyNewsReport.com

Backlash slaps Microsoft's 'help-a-friend-dump-XP' plea

Backlash slaps Microsoft"s "help-a-friend-dump-XP" plea
http://pixel.quantserve.com/pixel/p-89EKCgBk8MZdE.gif

Computerworld – Microsoft’s appeal to its technically-advanced customers to help friends and family ditch Windows XP did not quite work out
like the company had hoped.

Rather than jump to assist people they knew who still ran the soon-to-be-retired XP, users blasted the plea in comments appended
to Microsoft’s Friday entreaty.

“Ummm…how about NO? Is the word ‘NO’ in Microsoft’s vocabulary?” asked Steve Chabot in one of those comments posted Sunday.
“I will not advocate upgrades that require people to relearn the basics of a user interface or replace perfectly good hardware
simply for the privilege of running an overblown phone OS.”

On Friday, Microsoft asked its technically astute customers to help others migrate from Windows XP, but mentioned only Windows 8.1 as a solution. “We need your help spreading the word to ensure people are safe and secure
on modern up-to-date PCs,” wrote Brandon LeBlanc, a Microsoft marketing communications manager, in a blog post.

+ ALSO ON NETWORK WORLD What is the price of not upgrading Windows XP? +

LeBlanc suggested readers assist others in either upgrading their current Windows XP personal computer to Windows 8.1 — assuming
the hardware is up to snuff — or help them pick out a new PC to replace their aged machine.

That riled users, many of whom cited their financial straits, saying that they had neither the money for a $ 120 copy of Windows
8.1 much less hundreds more for a new computer. Business owners chimed in too, noting that their businesses rely on software
that only run on XP or arguing that to purchase new PCs would be foolish for their bottom lines when their current computers
work fine.

LeBlanc’s pitch stemmed from the impending support cut-off for Windows XP. After nearly 13 years, Microsoft will provide the
last public security updates for XP on April 8. After that date, Microsoft and outside security experts have predicted, those
XP-powered PCs will be in the crosshairs of cyber criminals.

Others blasted LeBlanc for writing what they viewed as an advertisement for Windows 8.1. “Honestly, this sounds more like
a sales pitch for Windows 8.1 than any kind of interest in what is actually best for my friends and family,” said Naru in
a Saturday comment. “Had the article actually mentioned both Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 as options, I would be able to take
it more seriously.”

Microsoft has pulled Windows 7 from its own online and retail stores, and stopped selling it to retailers last October. Still,
most retailers have stocked up on Windows 7, and continue to move the 2009 OS at prices between $ 90 and $ 100.

Nor has the company offered XP owners a discount on Windows 8.1 to tempt them into dumping the ancient OS.

Although the comments added to LeBlanc’s blog — and the hundreds posted to a story Computerworld published last Friday –
included a handful praising Windows 8 and 8.1, with the usual Linux fans touting the open-source OS as an alternative, most
objected to the new two-headed Windows 8/8.1, which features both a traditional desktop and a new tile-based, touch-first
“Metro” user interface (UI), as a replacement for XP.

Netflash

Read more about Backlash slaps Microsoft"s "help-a-friend-dump-XP" plea and other interesting subjects concerning NSA at TheDailyNewsReport.com

Backlash slaps Microsoft's 'help-a-friend-dump-XP' plea

Backlash slaps Microsoft"s "help-a-friend-dump-XP" plea
http://pixel.quantserve.com/pixel/p-89EKCgBk8MZdE.gif

Computerworld – Microsoft’s appeal to its technically-advanced customers to help friends and family ditch Windows XP did not quite work out
like the company had hoped.

Rather than jump to assist people they knew who still ran the soon-to-be-retired XP, users blasted the plea in comments appended
to Microsoft’s Friday entreaty.

“Ummm…how about NO? Is the word ‘NO’ in Microsoft’s vocabulary?” asked Steve Chabot in one of those comments posted Sunday.
“I will not advocate upgrades that require people to relearn the basics of a user interface or replace perfectly good hardware
simply for the privilege of running an overblown phone OS.”

On Friday, Microsoft asked its technically astute customers to help others migrate from Windows XP, but mentioned only Windows 8.1 as a solution. “We need your help spreading the word to ensure people are safe and secure
on modern up-to-date PCs,” wrote Brandon LeBlanc, a Microsoft marketing communications manager, in a blog post.

+ ALSO ON NETWORK WORLD What is the price of not upgrading Windows XP? +

LeBlanc suggested readers assist others in either upgrading their current Windows XP personal computer to Windows 8.1 — assuming
the hardware is up to snuff — or help them pick out a new PC to replace their aged machine.

That riled users, many of whom cited their financial straits, saying that they had neither the money for a $ 120 copy of Windows
8.1 much less hundreds more for a new computer. Business owners chimed in too, noting that their businesses rely on software
that only run on XP or arguing that to purchase new PCs would be foolish for their bottom lines when their current computers
work fine.

LeBlanc’s pitch stemmed from the impending support cut-off for Windows XP. After nearly 13 years, Microsoft will provide the
last public security updates for XP on April 8. After that date, Microsoft and outside security experts have predicted, those
XP-powered PCs will be in the crosshairs of cyber criminals.

Others blasted LeBlanc for writing what they viewed as an advertisement for Windows 8.1. “Honestly, this sounds more like
a sales pitch for Windows 8.1 than any kind of interest in what is actually best for my friends and family,” said Naru in
a Saturday comment. “Had the article actually mentioned both Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 as options, I would be able to take
it more seriously.”

Microsoft has pulled Windows 7 from its own online and retail stores, and stopped selling it to retailers last October. Still,
most retailers have stocked up on Windows 7, and continue to move the 2009 OS at prices between $ 90 and $ 100.

Nor has the company offered XP owners a discount on Windows 8.1 to tempt them into dumping the ancient OS.

Although the comments added to LeBlanc’s blog — and the hundreds posted to a story Computerworld published last Friday –
included a handful praising Windows 8 and 8.1, with the usual Linux fans touting the open-source OS as an alternative, most
objected to the new two-headed Windows 8/8.1, which features both a traditional desktop and a new tile-based, touch-first
“Metro” user interface (UI), as a replacement for XP.

Netflash

Read more about Backlash slaps Microsoft"s "help-a-friend-dump-XP" plea and other interesting subjects concerning NSA at TheDailyNewsReport.com

Microsoft's Nokia deal could benefit rival mobile device vendors, analysts say

IDG News Service – Microsoft’s plan to buy Nokia’s phone business and have a larger presence in hardware devices has so far brought little response
from PC and smartphone vendors in Asia. But the deal could end up bringing dividends to Microsoft’s long-time partners in
the region by revitalizing the Windows ecosystem, according to analysts.

Windows Phone licensee HTC is still assessing the impact of Microsoft’s US$ 7 billion acquisition of Nokia‘s mobile phone business, a spokeswoman said Tuesday.

Huawei Technologies, another licensee, said the acquisition deal would not affect its cooperation with Microsoft, while smartphone
maker ZTE also said it would continue developing Windows Phone devices while there was demand for them — and as long as the
OS remained fair and open, as with Google’s approach to buying Motorola Mobility, which makes phones running the Android OS
that Google develops.

Other Windows Phone licensees such as Samsung Electronics declined to comment.

But the U.S. software giant’s previous moves at competing in the hardware space have not always been welcomed by its partners.

Following last year’s unveiling of Microsoft’s Windows Surface tablet, Taiwanese PC maker Acer was vocal in its opposition
to the product, stating that it would disrupt the PC ecosystem. Lenovo, while less worried about the Surface product, was also opposed to Microsoft supplying hardware.

Although shipments of the Surface tablet have been weak, Microsoft’s plan to buy Nokia’s phone business signals the company
doesn’t plan to let up in hardware. The deal, which is expected to close in next year’s first quarter, will give Microsoft
access to Nokia’s design and sales teams, along with its manufacturing facilities across the world.

“The PC vendors are definitely concerned about Microsoft’s approach,” said Nicole Peng, an analyst with research firm Canalys.
“Since Microsoft launched its Surface, PC vendors have been preparing for when Microsoft will have its own hardware team.”

But Microsoft’s acquisition of Nokia’s phone business may not necessarily clash with the direction of its partners, analysts
said.

Outside of Nokia, smartphone vendors including HTC, Samsung and Huawei have all been gradually moving away from Microsoft’s
Windows Phone OS in favor of Android, said Melissa Chau, an analyst with research firm IDC. In Asia, over 90 percent of the
Windows Phone devices on the market come from Nokia, she added.

“All the shipments we’ve seen have been very small,” Chau said. “I don’t think we are going to see any huge outrage on the
smartphone side.”

The biggest fear PC vendors may have, however, is that Microsoft’s acquisition of Nokia will bring more Surface tablets to
the market, intensifying the competition with partners. Many vendors including Acer, Asustek Computer and Lenovo are releasing
new tablets and convertible PCs running Windows 8.

But analysts argue that Microsoft will likely steer clear of the PC space with its Nokia acquisition, mainly because the handset
vendor has no history of building tablets or laptops.

The IDG News Service is a Network World affiliate.

Netflash

Microsoft"s Nokia deal could benefit rival mobile device vendors, analysts say