Hi all, I know this is probably going to sound like a rant, I am not trying to come off that way, but there are a couple of things I feel needs to be said. I just don't think certain users think before posting questions like this to the list. So I'd like to say something about it to help encourage some thought into the discussion before such questions arise.
For example, a little while ago James asked how could he use the SAPI 5.5 voices on his XP computer. Well, on the surface it sounds like a reasonable question, but it actually lacks a little forethought considering the fact XP is about to be officially dropped by Microsoft next spring. If this user had thought about the situation through he would know that Microsoft is cutting back on updates, is preparing to discontinue service and updates, and aren't going to port something designed for Windows 8, which is a selling point, back to Windows XP which is for all intents and purposes about to be discontinued anyway. There would be no point in Microsoft in doing so. The reason I am making an issue of this is simply this. The industry standard for technical support and updates for a piece of software is between five and ten years. XP users have been extremely lucky in that Microsoft has continued to extend the support to 2014, but I don't really see them extending it beyond that point. Windows XP was originally released in 2001, way beyond the industry standard for support, and now that Microsoft has officially announced the cut-off date for XP they have been generous in giving XP users plenty of time to upgrade to Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, whatever if they choose to. However, it makes sense for the last year or so of XP's extended support Microsoft would only release critical updates, patches, and bug fixes to fill out the last year of support. They certainly aren't going to put a lot of time and effort into back porting .NET 5.0, SAPI 5.5, DirectX 11, etc to XP since from their point of view XP will be discontinued anyway and most of those XP users will eventually upgrade to one of the newer Windows platforms if they want to avail themselves of the updates to those components. So asking how one might get SAPI 5.5 for XP just really seems to underscore the fact that some XP users are ignoring the fact that XP is about to be discontinued, and that there are not going to be any new updates at all for it in the foreseeable future. Its basically done and we can stick a fork in it. Now, I know this will not set well with some users because they really do not like Windows Vista, Windows 7, or Windows 8. Sorry to say but that is just too bad, because weather we like it or not a business can't operate on a 14 year old piece of software. The way companies like Microsoft works is by selling products. That is new software. Once a piece of software like XP reaches a maximum number of sales it begins to lose money because Microsoft has already made their millions and now have to pay employees a salary to maintain it for several years after it came onto the market. The way to make more money is to release a new piece of software that supersedes the old one and yes, offer features that can't be gotten for the old software. Something like SAPI 5.5 can be seen as one of those new features of Windows 8, along with their new Narrator, that is considered an exclusive upgrade you get by purchasing their new Windows operating system. You want it you got to pay for it. That's how they make money on their software, and the people who don't understand this fact can keep looking for free handouts for XP, but they aren't going to get them because Microsoft is in it for the money. Since that is the case XP users really need to recognize that there is no money in XP for them, and they really need to think about that fact before they ask if such and such new software from Microsoft is available for XP. Chances are it won't be. So the point of this little rant is simply think a little before asking a question. Realize that if you choose to stay with XP either because of your financial situation or you simply don't like the newer alternatives with XP's end of support coming up more and more developers are going to stop continuing to support that OS and it will become harder for them to do so. Although, I imagine some developers here, particularly those using VB 6 may continue supporting XP for some time to come, in the main just don't look for companies like Microsoft etc to continue doing so because they have stopped for all intents and purposes. I don't even know how long I will support XP myself with my own software, because some components I use and want to use are not available on XP, and XP users need to realize that their beloved XP is just too old to run certain newer software. Cheers! --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/gamers@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org.