Wayne's Small Biz Tech Blog

XP Phase-out Begins Monday, June 30

It's official and the XP petitioners lost. Windows XP is going away and Vista will be the only option for Microsoft Operating Systems very soon. The phase-out begins Monday, June 30. Microsoft also announced that their next operating system, Windows 7, is scheduled for release in January of 2009.

So the two questions I hear the most is "What is really going to happen on Monday?" and "Will I be able to still get XP after Monday?". Let's start with what's happening on Monday.

What is really going to happen with XP on Monday:

• Windows XP will no longer be made available to PC makers for pre-installing on new PCs. Most manufacturers stopped selling desktop PCs with XP already loaded last week. For example, Dell announced it stopped selling XP desktops on June 26th.
• Windows XP will no longer be sold retail. So, if you want to go and buy a boxed version of the XP operating system, you won't be able to as of Monday.

Will I be able to still get Windows XP after Monday?

The short answer is "in most cases, yes".

Microsoft conveniently left in a few loopholes that allow sales to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). In otherwords, online retailers like Newegg and Tiger Direct will sell OEM versions via this loophole. In fact, as a reseller I will still be offering Windows XP OEM versions for those who need it. Some requirements apply, but they are very minor. Since I, like others in the computer business, am still not recommending Vista for business use computers I will be recommending XP Pro for at least a few more months if not longer.

Microsoft made another exception as well. They are allowing Windows XP to be pre-installed by manufacturers in low-cost "netbooks" or "nettops". Unfortunately for business use these low cost systems are not suitable.

The OEM version of Windows XP discussed earlier will not be suitable for many small businesses wanting XP because it requires a new manual install of the operating system.  Most businesses change operating systems only when buying new equipment. Can businesses still get XP on new desktops and laptops? The answer is "Yes", but with fewer options than before.

Pre-Installed Windows XP For Businesses

There are actually two ways for get new desktops and laptops with XP pre-installed. The first is by using the OEM exemption we discussed earlier. The "white box" manufacturers of computers can use that OEM exemption mentioned earlier. These are the companies that build their own custom computers. Since the computer or notebook is custom and they have the OEM exemption, you can order it with XP pre-installed. My company offers Proteon desktops and laptops that can be ordered this way. They are slightly more expensive than their brand-name counterparts, but you know exactly what components are used and can select which parts you want to spend more or less money on.

The second way is being offered by the name-brand computer manufacturers like Acer, the brand I sell the most of. On some models the customer can select to install Vista or "downgrade" to XP on the initial installation and setup of the computer. However, I only have model under $1,000 that this option is available on. There are far more models with this option that cost over $1,000. It seems the manufacturers and Microsoft are filling the need for businesses by keeping this option on the better performing and capable models. Especially since the option is only available with Vista Business and Vista Ultimate versions of the operating system.

Windows XP Support and Updates Will Continue

Although the phase-out has begun, Windows XP will be available through OEMs and system builders in the way just outlined until January 31, 2009 according to Microsoft. It is also important to note that Microsoft will support, provide security updates,and supply critical updates to XP until April 2014.

And on the horizon is Windows 7, supposedly coming in 2009, which is said to be an improved version of Vista without the incompatibility hassles by the Microsoft people.

I, for one, can hardly wait. And yes,that was sarcasm. 

Me for President '08!

Thank you to everyone who has done so much to help my Presidential bid! Together we can win! In case you've missed the story, Channel 3 did a pretty good job summerizing my campaign. Click here in case you missed it:

www.News3Online.com/NewCandidate062408.htm

My campaign slogan? "I can't possibly screw things up any worse than the other candidates!" It was either that or "Economy, what economy?"  I look forward to your vote in October or November or whatever month they hold elections.

I hear U.S. President pays okay, and you pretty much have the job guaranteed for 4 years unless you do something really, really stupid. I can use the extra bucks. A few vacations at Camp David sounds fun, too. I'd appreciate your vote!

Okay, so it's just a viral marketing campaign. But what a great marketing strategy! I had never heard about PalTalk until a friend sent me the video announcing his Presidential campaign. I've heard of them now and even know what they are selling. According to the website traffic ranking people, they have increased their traffic over the last month substantially, approx 2% which is considered very good due to their already high ranking.

While viral marketing sites like this one aren't new, give them credit. They are timely. The site is fun and gives the user a reason to spread their marketing message. And, they are doing no harm unlike what the spammers and virus "evil-doers" are doing (I'm even sounding Presidential now!). Note: "Viral Marketing" is using techniques to get others to spread your marketing message legitimately. Don't confuse the term viral with virus.

What are you doing to get your message out? Are you using the power of word-of-mouth and viral marketing? You do this through business networking, special offers and events, and creative fun campaigns like this one. How creative can you get? Think about it. Then do it.

Big Ben and Crash Partlo

A few weeks ago my Mom brought a box of my old artwork from my cartoonist years for my daughter to go through. Included in the cartoons were a couple of comic strips I had submitted to the syndicates many years ago. Although each were rejected (I still have the notices) one strip did better than the others. It was called "The Real World" and was based on a machine shop where I worked.

My daughter quickly picked out one of the characters in the strip as her favorite from the entire box. The character was "Crash" Partlo. In the strip, "Crash" was well known for crashing his jeep (see above) as well as being a bit attracted to the receptionist Sue. "Crash" was one of the easiest characters to write, so I wasn't very surprised when my daughter picked the character as her favorite and started drawing him herself. 

 

"Crash" Partlo was based on a very real person I worked with at the time. Unlike the cartoon strip, his story was actually pretty tragic. "Crash" was a very good machinist and a very good drummer for a rock band. He even did side gigs for the band "The Cars" when they played locally. His future was looking bright. Until he got into a jeep one night with his best friend after a night out. "Crash" lived that night, his friend wasn't so lucky. "Crash" never played in a band again, at least as long as I knew him. The severe head injury took away much of what he was able to do. He could no longer work as a machinist. 

The accident didn't take Crash's sense of humor away. Crash frequently suggested the material for the strips he was in. If anything, his sense of humor got even better after the accident. Maybe it was a survival skill. I really don't know.

The biggest change for me was how I viewed the owner of the machine shop after Crash came back to work. His name was Ben and he was never known for his "people skills". A "Thank you" or "Good job" from Ben was rare. He paid his workers and work was expected. Your paycheck was your thank you. I'll leave it at as business owner "Big Ben", as we called him, was tough and at times difficult to work for.

But what I remember most about Ben after these many years is that he didn't make Crash's difficulties worse. He found a job for Crash in the company that he could still handle. Yes, Crash did occasionally drive the fork lift (see the strip above, my daughter's favorite) as well as other tasks that didn't include machining centers. Ben could have laid off Crash, but he didn't. Ben was human after all, we found out.

Big Ben was a good business man, his shop always made money. More importantly, he was a good person even if he didn't always show it during business hours. Not a bad way to be remembered.

I lost touch with Crash when I went off in a different career direction. Too bad. My daughter would like to meet her favorite cartoon strip hero.