How often: upgrading operating software platform

[OakLeaf]

I'm curious, what websites work only with IE these days??? I honestly didn't even know anyone uses IE any more! I use Firefox, and the only time I can't see a website is when it requires me to take down more of my security than I'm willing to do. If I really really want to look at (or post a comment on) whatever site it is that's so full of spyware, I run Safari in private browsing mode and then immediately quit out of it, then delete all my Flash cookies, when I'm done. Never had a problem viewing a website for reasons that weren't self-imposed.

Call me lazy (or cheap), but an OS upgrade just seems like a huge risk with very little reward. Forget the peripherals, there's too much chance the OS itself won't run properly on obsolete hardware. Too much chance of a mid-upgrade crash and then hours or days of tearing my hair out restoring from backups. No thanks.

I did it once, about ten years ago (maybe longer), went to the OS 10.1 release party at the Apple Store and everything because I wanted the networking capability with DH's Windows boxes, and that was a new feature back then. Nowadays I get a new OS when I get a new computer and not before. (But I still have the T-shirt from the Jaguar release party. )

I only use Windows for one or two apps, and I still run XP under Parallels. Would you believe that Microsoft is still releasing patches for XP?! I just got a couple within the last week or two.

[shootingstar]

A lot of large employers use IE and Windows: because their enterprise-wide systems with specialized applications, were designed on Windows/IBM systems. I currently work in govn't (14,000 employees) and our IT dept. most likely will not move to Windows 8 until they know their other enterprise-wise systems will work, etc. We have an IT dept. that seems disconnected at times in providing support. (You wouldn't believe some of the simplest things take ages for an installation/troubleshooting...).

I make this comment because I've had to evaluate, specify and install specialized software for my dept. for several different employers over the past few decades. I've previously worked for 2 provincial govn't agencies, 1 national firm, 2 global firms....they all used IE and Windows. Sure some employees used other browsers but that was not given to new employees as the standard desktop/laptop configuration.

Personally I think it's terrible as consumers that we sometimes find it easier ...to buy a new computer to avoid major upgrade issues. I only want to buy a computer every decade or more. I can't even imagine in retirement having the resources to do that. Maybe we have to build that into estimating "retirement" budget??

[OakLeaf]

But, you can't view their websites without using IE yourself? That's the part I don't get.

[shootingstar]

With IE 7, sometimes things got squirrely. Now I have IE 10.

[Maye]

I have a Mac Book pro and I found that the the OS is easier to upgrade than for a Windows based computer. Drivers that are required for printers to work properly get installed automatically versus having to do it manually like with a Windows based OS. I'm not sure if this is still the case with Windows 8. I do upgrade the OS if major updates or features are added otherwise, I usually wait until I have no choice or when major security issues require me to update and or upgrade.

[Irulan]

I'm curious, what websites work only with IE these days??? I honestly didn't even know anyone uses IE any more! I use Firefox, and the only time I can't see a website is when it requires me to take down more of my security than I'm willing to do. If I really really want to look at (or post a comment on) whatever site it is that's so full of spyware, I run Safari in private browsing mode and then immediately quit out of it, then delete all my Flash cookies, when I'm done. Never had a problem viewing a website for reasons that weren't self-imposed

.

In our engineering biz, we run into TONS of governemnt websites that are IE based, and cannot be viewed in Mozilla. I hate it.
I don't see what the rush to Win 8 is. We have several Win 7 systems that work great,and even some XP ones that while slower, do the job just fine.

[eofelis]

I'm on a Dell XP desktop machine right now. It was bought just before Vista rolled out. It still works fine for internet and basic functions.
Our next machine (bought 2 years ago) was a Dell Win7 desktop machine. Works great. (We have 2 desktops.)
I bought a laptop a couple of months ago because I decided I wanted a Win7 one while there were still some left. I didn't want a Win8 OS. I got a Lenovo Ideapad. I'm happy with it!