Hello friends,

Hope you’re having a safe and productive autumn – we’re in full swing here, getting new hardware projects underway and meeting new folks out and about. Here’s the latest news from Base Camp

Windows 9 or just plain Windows?

  • Microsoft is working diligently to get on a recurring OS release cycle, and by all the latest accounts, it looks like they might be solidifying their OS across platforms – no more “Windows phone”, just “Windows”. The latest rumors also indicate there may be free or low cost upgrades, depending on speed of the releases.

Windows 7 into Windows 8 and beyond

  • Windows 7 is on a retirement track – although you can still buy it for business PCs, mainstream support is ending now that 8.1 is available. Check this page out for continuing info on the availability of support for operation systems: https://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/lifecycle

What does this mean for your business? It means that the same retirement cycle we saw earlier this year for Windows XP is now accelerated for Windows 7. It also shows a shift in Microsoft’s business practices to align with more consumer friendly updaters, like Apple. How will this resolve? We’re advising our clients to keep an eye on their legacy programs and computers to make sure that apps and drives are updating to Windows 7 and 8 and will be useable in the future – meaning don’t worry if you’ve just gone to Windows 7, as we think the new paradigm will take late adopters into account, and help you update gradually.

Remember, if you’re considering updating, or just not sure where to start, a Sherpa is ready and available to help you make the journey.

 

Have a great fall,

Jess H.