Are you still using Windows XP? Chances are is that you’ll be nodding to the question, especially when we’re talking about your PC in the office.

Despite the fact that big companies have the resources to wipe out old programs and replace it with new ones in just a blink of an eye, many of them are holding their horses as far as shifting to Vista is concerned. A recent report has shown that there are still many apprehensions playing in the minds of IT managers with regard to using Vista.

Old Fears

One of the reasons why companies are still reluctant to retire Vista’s predecessor is the former’s reputation of conking out due to compatibility problems. While this issue hounded the new OS during its first month in the market, it’s quite surprising to know that this worry still lingers considering the fact that third-party device driver finders and providers already abound on the Internet. The lack of system utilities for Vista has also already been addressed, with many antivirus and registry cleaner programs having been labeled as “Vista-ready.”

Waiting for SP1

So why are corporations still not taking the plunge despite developments which makes such a move already safe and feasible?

Analysts point to the pending release of the operating system’s first service pack as one of the reasons why potential corporate clients are still playing the waiting game. Vista’s SP1 contains a collection of patches, security applications, and drivers which would greatly enhance the OS’ ability to respond to threats and errors. While there are already many Vista problem-solvers on the market, many are still counting on Microsoft to fix things for free. Until Microsoft releases the pack, big companies would most likely continue to squeeze some extra mileage out of XP.

Still in Life Support

Another reason why big clients are shunning Vista is Redmond’s continued support for XP. Bill Gates probably thought that XP would die a natural death once users start to ditch it for Vista. However, this did not happen, or at least not at the pace at which Microsoft had hoped for.

It has been suggested that in order to convince (or force) users to embrace Vista, it has to cut the air flowing into XP. Microsoft contemplated such a move, but was met by stiff resistance and threats from those who are reluctant to use the new OS until every apprehension with regard to its safety and compatibility has been addressed. The operating system’s maker immediately blinked, probably because it still hasn’t found the answers to many of the problems plaguing Vista.

No Need to Rush

The shift to Vista is inevitable. This event might not take place as quickly as Microsoft wants to, but it will certainly happen. This is the reason why Microsoft is not in a rush to kill its most successful product. As long as it continues to breathe life to XP, it will have ample time to plug the holes that presently turn off big companies in accepting Windows Vista.

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Is there such a thing as a perfect operating system?

If you’ve been a Microsoft client since the 1980s, then you’ll probably answer in the negative. Indeed, the previous Windows released by Bill Gates’ company had a lot of flaws. If you think that compatibility issues only sprung after Windows 95, then you’d better ask those who navigated their computer using the DOS prompt. OS problems are as old as the program itself.

Windows XP

The most successful OS to date is Windows Vista’s predecessor, Windows XP. Around 90% of the world’s computers function under this program. It even gained many converts from Apple’s OS X. For many, it’s the closest thing to a perfect operating system.

Microsoft would now want us to believe that XP has outlived its purpose and that it’s already ill-advised to stick with their previous product. One of the things that the Redmond, Washington company boast about Windows Vista is that it’s purportedly the most secured operating system in the world. They were so bent in trying to convince people to ditch XP for the new OS to the point that they were already contemplating on throwing mud at the former.

Not Perfect

Microsoft doesn’t have to magnify the previous security flaws that plagued Windows XP in order to show everybody that it’s not as secured as many might think. Nobody needs to be reminded of that, especially since updates or patches continue to roll out for this program. Hackers seem to find new holes in the OS every week. Fortunately, Microsoft has been successful in stitching the tears of their product before malicious applications could fully exploit it. This has been the story of XP since its first release.

Not Perfect Either

Every type of program needs to be updated from time to time, regardless of the purpose for which they’re constituted. However, operating systems need those patches more than any type of application does. No OS author can ever anticipate every peril that his creation might encounter in the future. New software, especially malicious ones, are being released on a daily basis. Hence, the operating system needs to continuously adapt to changes or threats as they come.

While Windows Vista is billed as the most secured OS in the planet, any person with sufficient experience in computers would immediately brand such claim as far fetched. There’s no way that the new OS could survive new attacks, recognize new programs, or adapt to new technology without the necessary patches or updates.

This Vista myth has been recently shattered by claims that Microsoft is set to release more than a hundred patches for its new product. Take note that it has only been 3 months since Vista has been released to consumers. XP received its first service pact 11 months after it has reached the vendors’ shelves. So which OS has a better record now as far as security is concerned?

A good OS doesn’t have to remain unchanged until the release of its successor. On the contrary, a static program will outlive its usefulness faster than those which are constantly being subjected to updates or modifications. It is therefore important for an OS to be malleable so that it could reshape itself into something which is more responsive to the needs of the user.

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