Your day to run naked in public is April 8, 2014.
End of Life for: Windows XP, Office/Outlook 2003, and Exchange Server 2003.
There has been enough media, news, hype, and information delivered, for the last year, about these products being decommissioned on April 8, 2014. I will clear up a few things for you and then you will be able to decide what you will do.
Can you keep using Windows XP, Office 2003, or Exchange Server 2003?
Yes, you can continue to use these products. I cannot see why you would want to except for VERY special circumstances, but nonetheless, you can continue to use the products.
What will happen if I continue to use these products?
You will not receive support, of any kind, from Microsoft. You will be susceptible to more attacks from malicious software and viruses. You will be laughed at by people.
If I continue to use the products anyway, will I.T. techs be able to help me?
Yes, we will be able to help you. Please take note: Sooner or later XP will be as foreign as Windows 95/98, as once was Windows 3.1. So, we urge you to upgrade your software, equipment, or whatever you have to do.
What’s all this naked stuff about? I feel tricked.
Running naked = running exposed. *Most* of us wouldn’t run naked in public, so why run your computer unprotected while it’s connected to the Internet. Which reminds me: YES! You do need antivirus on your computer. YES! Even if you don’t use it much. YES! Even if your computer never goes out in public… the Internet is the public. — Don’t use the Internet? Good for you cowboy! How are you reading this? Your iPhone? 😉
Some links:
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/enterprise/endofsupport.aspx
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/en-us/xp/end-of-xp-support.aspx