I'm still waiting to install my copy of Windows XP x64, due to the fact that an audio hardware manufacturer (amongst many) has not yet released drivers for that OS.
Now it seems that XP x64 is in a sort of planned obsolescence phase... a passive one promised by the fact that there are no plans for a compatible release of DX 10. The obsolescence i'm referring to is defined by the fact that this OS will not be entirely compatible with games and other mainstream software that will make use of DX 10, and i'm clarifying that because it seems that fact conflicts with Microsoft's statements regarding its 5-year "mainstream support phase".
It is stated here that the start of this 5-year period is the "date of general availability":
Link 1
It is stated here that, for XP x64, the date of general availability was April 25, 2005:
Link 2
It follows that the end of the XP x64 mainstream support phase is April 25, 2010. Prodded by frustration, and curious as to what XP x64 users are entitled to during this support phase, i looked for clarification on the subject, and found this:
Link 3
In section 3, it is stated that I can expect support for "design changes and feature requests". It seems to me that the "feature request" of a version of DX 10 that is compatible with XP x64 is a reasonable request, if DirectX compatibility is considered an OS feature, for the following reasons: Prior revisions of DirectX have been compatible with XP x64; Gaming, and other software that has traditionally made use of DirectX revisions are traditional, widespread, and mainstream uses for Microsoft operating systems; DirectX 10 has been produced by Microsoft, obviously emphasizing the fact that the company itself considers it to be a viable product and presumably worthy of integration into mainstream software.
It seems to me that when an OS ceases to be compatible with mainstream software releases, it has become, at least to a certain extent, obsolete. For this to come to pass, software which makes use of DX 10 features will have to have been released prior to April 25, 2010, and i think it's probable that this will be the case.
Separately, i will quote a pertinent section of the text found at same as Link 1
"Listening to Customers: Expanded and Enhanced Customer Support
Clear and predictable product support road maps are essential for customers to effectively plan implementations of new technology, predict costs, justify purchases to management and budget for future technology replacements. In addition, advancements in the technology industry have elevated the need for expanded and flexible support to meet product migration timelines and directly address security needs. The updated Microsoft support life cycle directly addresses these needs while trying to minimize the likelihood of future life-cycle adjustments, thereby reinforcing the company's commitment to build predictable relationships with customers."
Failure to release a DirectX 10 version which is compatible with a product in a "mainstream support phase" seems to conflict rather obviously with the overall message of the above statement. I don't think it is predictable, based on an observed precedent of prior releases of DirectX revisions and their compatibility with previous Microsoft OS products, that DX 10 would not be compatible with previous Microsoft OS products. I also think that this lack of a compatible version of DX 10 has an opposite effect from their stated commitment to building predictable relationships with customers. This is a serious consideration in the justification of purchases, and i don't think it was expected, nor predictable, in that sense.
I understand that to build a DX 10 version that is compatible with the driver model presently used in XP x64 would be difficult, but it seems like Microsofts stated intentions should supercede this. I'd personally be willing to pay a reasonable amount for a compatible version, to not feel as if i am forced into the expense of an entirely new OS because of this lack, and to encourage Microsoft live up to what i feel to be a reasonable interpretation of its support statements.
Now it seems that XP x64 is in a sort of planned obsolescence phase... a passive one promised by the fact that there are no plans for a compatible release of DX 10. The obsolescence i'm referring to is defined by the fact that this OS will not be entirely compatible with games and other mainstream software that will make use of DX 10, and i'm clarifying that because it seems that fact conflicts with Microsoft's statements regarding its 5-year "mainstream support phase".
It is stated here that the start of this 5-year period is the "date of general availability":
Link 1
It is stated here that, for XP x64, the date of general availability was April 25, 2005:
Link 2
It follows that the end of the XP x64 mainstream support phase is April 25, 2010. Prodded by frustration, and curious as to what XP x64 users are entitled to during this support phase, i looked for clarification on the subject, and found this:
Link 3
In section 3, it is stated that I can expect support for "design changes and feature requests". It seems to me that the "feature request" of a version of DX 10 that is compatible with XP x64 is a reasonable request, if DirectX compatibility is considered an OS feature, for the following reasons: Prior revisions of DirectX have been compatible with XP x64; Gaming, and other software that has traditionally made use of DirectX revisions are traditional, widespread, and mainstream uses for Microsoft operating systems; DirectX 10 has been produced by Microsoft, obviously emphasizing the fact that the company itself considers it to be a viable product and presumably worthy of integration into mainstream software.
It seems to me that when an OS ceases to be compatible with mainstream software releases, it has become, at least to a certain extent, obsolete. For this to come to pass, software which makes use of DX 10 features will have to have been released prior to April 25, 2010, and i think it's probable that this will be the case.
Separately, i will quote a pertinent section of the text found at same as Link 1
"Listening to Customers: Expanded and Enhanced Customer Support
Clear and predictable product support road maps are essential for customers to effectively plan implementations of new technology, predict costs, justify purchases to management and budget for future technology replacements. In addition, advancements in the technology industry have elevated the need for expanded and flexible support to meet product migration timelines and directly address security needs. The updated Microsoft support life cycle directly addresses these needs while trying to minimize the likelihood of future life-cycle adjustments, thereby reinforcing the company's commitment to build predictable relationships with customers."
Failure to release a DirectX 10 version which is compatible with a product in a "mainstream support phase" seems to conflict rather obviously with the overall message of the above statement. I don't think it is predictable, based on an observed precedent of prior releases of DirectX revisions and their compatibility with previous Microsoft OS products, that DX 10 would not be compatible with previous Microsoft OS products. I also think that this lack of a compatible version of DX 10 has an opposite effect from their stated commitment to building predictable relationships with customers. This is a serious consideration in the justification of purchases, and i don't think it was expected, nor predictable, in that sense.
I understand that to build a DX 10 version that is compatible with the driver model presently used in XP x64 would be difficult, but it seems like Microsofts stated intentions should supercede this. I'd personally be willing to pay a reasonable amount for a compatible version, to not feel as if i am forced into the expense of an entirely new OS because of this lack, and to encourage Microsoft live up to what i feel to be a reasonable interpretation of its support statements.
