Thanks Art for the info re: XP being supported until 2014. Sharon ----- Original Message ----- From: "Art Kilmartin" <akilmartin@nc.rr.com> To: <nyalbany@rootsweb.com> Sent: Saturday, June 14, 2008 9:15 AM Subject: Re: [NYALBANY] Windows XP versus Vista > Hi Cliff: > Microsoft plans to support Windows XP thru year 2014 and I am staying with > XP for now because my PC is only 3 years old and it has everything I need. > However, my wife just bought an HP laptop with Vista and it is working > fine > with Family Tree Maker 2006 installed. I will probably buy a new PC with > Vista next year. > Art K > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Cliff Lamere" <clifflamere@nycap.rr.com> > To: <NYALBANY-L@rootsweb.com> > Sent: Friday, June 13, 2008 4:04 PM > Subject: [NYALBANY] Windows XP versus Vista > > >>I would like to point out something that could be important to some list >> members who, like me, are on the verge of buying a new computer. I have >> bought only Dell computers in the past ten years, so I have only >> researched that brand recently. >> >> Next Wednesday, June 18, is the last day you can get a computer from >> Dell that is loaded with Windows XP. After that, you will receive >> Windows Vista from Dell. I don't know if you can still get XP from >> other computer manufacturers or how long they will have it if they still >> sell it. >> >> I have been told by various people that Vista will not likely work with >> my older genealogy program where I keep all of my data. It will not >> work with LOTS of programs, I am told. It may not work with genealogy >> CD's, but I have not read anything about that. Microsoft came out with >> a Vista Service Pack 1 to help ease the pain, but a friend told me that >> Vista is very unlikely to work with my printer or scanner, and perhaps >> not with my camera dock that plugs into my computer. >> >> I read online that I might have to contact the manufacturers of my >> hardware to see if I can get drivers from them for Vista. Most >> companies make new drivers for relatively new hardware, but not for >> older versions they no longer sell. Manufacturers usually do not make >> old software compatible with new operating systems, so if you are >> working with an old, but favorite, program, you should be concerned >> enough to at least make some inquiries. Perhaps some knowledgeable >> person on this list can comment on this topic. >> >> I don't want to scare anyone, and I certainly am no authority on this >> subject, but I will be buying a new computer with XP by June 18. >> >> I am not trying to promote Dell, but I would like to make some >> comments. In this month's Consumer Reports, Apple was rated best for >> best for both laptops and desktops. Dell was second for desktop >> computers and third (after Lenovo) for laptops. Their support is >> supplied by Phillipine technicians who spoke much more clearly than >> those who support my antivirus. >> >> Dell has a system called something like Go To Assist. It saves both you >> and the company a lot of time. With your permission, they take control >> of your computer and do everything for you. Recently, I couldn't >> install an antivirus because my computer couldn't download the required >> XP Service Pack 2. The Dell employee not only installed that program, >> he also installed the antivirus for me. All I had to do was put the CD >> in the drive. I was impressed almost beyond words. His accent was not >> a problem, but I also didn't have to worry about it anyways because he >> wasn't telling me each step that I should make. >> >> Dell has one other thing that I think is wonderful (other computer >> manufacturers may have something similar). It is called DataSafe. A >> program comes with a Dell computer that will allow you to automatically >> back up your important files daily, weekly, etc. The backups are >> securely stored on the Dell site where a house fire or theft will not >> cause you to lose your backup. DataSafe comes with some low end Dell >> computers free for the first year, but the service can be purchased for >> any XP or Vista computer purchased from Dell (a Dell salesperson did not >> know that). >> >> The cost is an incredibly low $9 per year for 3 gigabytes of storage >> (which is all I would need), or a higher fee for more storage space. I >> am writing a book and I add research to my genealogy program daily. I >> back it up on a separate external hard drive, but I don't think of it >> often enough. I like the Dell feature because it is automatic as long >> as your computer is online. >> >> I will benefit in no way if you buy a Dell computer. I just wanted to >> let you know about the Vista problem, a deadline for getting XP from >> Dell, and some of the Dell features that I find so important. >> >> Cliff Lamere >> >> >> >> >> ====NY-Albany Mailing List==== >> Check out the mailing list's website >> at:http://www.connorsgenealogy.com/Albany/ >> Add/check your Albany surnames on the Surname Registry. >> ------------------------------- >> To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to >> NYALBANY-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the >> quotes in the subject and the body of the message > > ====NY-Albany Mailing List==== > Check out the mailing list's website > at:http://www.connorsgenealogy.com/Albany/ > Add/check your Albany surnames on the Surname Registry. > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > NYALBANY-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the > quotes in the subject and the body of the message