Char Jackson wrote on 08/11/2015 1:51 AM:
On Mon, 10 Aug 2015 23:59:58 -0400, ". . .winston"
wrote:

Ask them if they'd like a MSFT operating system that stop receiving
security updates in 4.33 years.

If they say no...then your choices are Windows 8.1 and Windows 10.

As pollsters know, you can usually get the answer you want if you ask the
question in the right way. Above, if the intent is to encourage someone to
choose 8 or 10, that's a good question to ask. OTOH, given what we know
about 8 and 10, they are both immediately disqualified for consideration,
making the choice an easy one.

It's a valid question that could impact the purchaser's economics in
4.33 years beyond the need to purchase an operating system receiving
security updates on the same device.

My experience may not be typical, but the folks I run into seem to
universally share a few traits:
1. They don't make computer purchasing decisions based on what might happen
that far into the future. Current pain is a much bigger motivator than
possible future pain.
2. Many of them don't expect to be using the same computer that far into the
future. If they are, they'll deal with the possibilities then, whatever they
might be.
3. Most are senior citizens, and they've learned to take life as it comes.
Long term planning is for a younger generation.

The first two apply to me, as well. IMHO, basing a purchasing decision today
based on what might happen 4-5 years in the future is beyond foolish, but to
each his or her own.

I'd be willing to take that bet....that purchasing a new device with an
expectation of the o/s being supported for security patches more than
4.33 years, your advice would be ignored by the majority (in fact, it
probably already is starting to lean in that direction more than it was
13 days ago).


All three of those reasons don't negate the possibility that anyone
considering purchasing a new device today could easily be in the
population that used XP for 12 years. Thus the question I suggested
bears asking to ensure the potential user is not being forced, due to
ignorance or withheld information, to consider purchasing again in 4.33
yrs when less choice exists - Win10 and if lucky 8.1.

--
...winston
msft mvp windows experience