In my day to day computing, I am faced with a problem. Every computer that I use at work (a call center while I am in college) has Windows XP SP3 as its operating system. I myself have made the jump from XP to Vista to Windows 7, for Sean Marshall Studios and also for my family’s personal computers. Granted XP is a very stable and reliable operating system that has performed well. But in my opinion it is far too outdated. I understand that it is time and money to “retrain” IT departments and staff on a new OS. But the benefits just might outweigh the so called “cost” of retraining.
Lets delve into why it cost money to retrain the staff of a business. You hire a person do a specific task with a computer, not knowing their level of knowledge with a computer (this applies to business as a whole, not every business runs XP. Or, hires people without a decent level of computer skills, I understand.) But to train any employee on any skill, costs money. So in the long run it very easily can be seen as an investment to “retrain” an employee on a new OS. Technically they have already have been trained. Given the fact that windows operating systems are not that different from each other. A jump to a new OS can be very, very easy.
Does that mean retraining every single person in the entire company? No, simply put, Windows 7 or Vista is not that different from XP. The difference is the new operating systems incorporate new features that can help your employees work more efficiently. If you put the same 10 icons on a desktop, and that is all your employees will ever need, then how does the OS call for “retraining”? It is essentially the same programs your employees work with everyday. I will get into compatibility in a bit also. Plus Windows 7 can be made to look like almost any previous version of windows. So in appearance it would be the same thing they are used also.
This is time for the IT departments to step up. They need not to say “let’s just keep using what works”, but instead “lets use what works better.” They should be prepared, and well versed in Windows 7 already. If not maybe you should ask who you have employed in your IT department. Of course there will always be another company not willing to take a chance with a new OS. But the truth of the matter is, the sooner the better. I don’t know if the Mac folks know this or not. But there are WAY more people and businesses that use a windows machine. I can name thousands of business that use XP on a daily basis for everyone of their employees. Thousands…
As the owner of a business, Sean Marshall Studios, I happen to be my own IT department, along with everything else. So I feel a strong need to stay current on everything that makes my business happen. From advertising for new clients, or using basic word documents (MS Office 2010 soon, yeah.) I switched to Windows 7 as soon as the beta (7000 x64) was available in January and have never looked back. I’m not going to get into why I did not like Vista 64. But never the less, I was not a happy camper and felt the need for a change. Low and behold, I got a nice surprise. Windows 7 is faster, more stable, and overall a better OS to use than any previous version of Windows.
Many features in Windows 7 allow me to be more productive. The new Aero features! The Snip it tool and so on and so on. But there is one feature I would like to discuss as it is secret. Well not really anymore but it was at one time; “XP Mode”. This is a new feature that Windows 7 will offer in the RTM. It is available now for testing with the Windows 7 Release Candidate (7100), and will be available until July. Basically it allows you to run a “virtual copy of Windows XP SP3” on your Windows 7 desktop. (Notice it is not a Vista mode.) Meaning any argument about certain drivers, programs, applications not working or being “not compatible” are not viable. You can have Windows XP in Windows 7, in one package. I highly dig the concept of Microsoft’s idea. They have millions of customers still using XP. The customers did not want to go with Vista because of bad PR or whatever. So now they get XP with Windows 7.
But in the end, one day Microsoft will stop supporting XP as an OS. Meaning there will not be any more security patches or fixes. Meaning you are left vulnerable. But the future is, it might never die because it is going to live on virtually on Windows 7 and maybe 8 and maybe even Windows 9. Whatever that might be… I bet it will be fantastic. We will see.
Anyway all I guess I am saying is it would better to switch to Windows 7 when it is released in October. Rather than wait till you are forced to make a switch and play catchup with the rest of the business world. Truth be told. Some of us are already here. We are just waiting on you realize the truth. Windows 7. Then Windows 8. And so on…. or until somebody makes something better. Who knows? Until next time.
