If I were still Using XP Pro I'd probably have myself committed to an asylum for the technically insane and ask them to put me in a strait Jacket and padded cell until someone had gone around and destroyed it or the fever broke.
Fortunately for them I'm not... and I mean 'them' Yeah, last time I was in such an institution for a sabbattical I got under the skins of those nice young men in their clean white coats and some became inmates as well... you know, wearing those gowns that never quite close/do up at the back. One of 'em, thought he was a bit of a ladies man, used to put his on back to front and trundle up to the womens ward so they'd cop an optic.
Anyhow, enough about the nuthouse [I feel a bit homesick] and back to the task at hand. I was reading on NT Compatible the other day that Ubuntu 14 is a good replacement for XP and may suit those who cannot afford new hardware. Given its small footprint and being light on resources, Ubuntu will run on most older hardware quite well.
Furthermore: it will receive 5 years support for OS updates and whatever patches are required; it has a software repository so there's no need to go scouring the net for apps/utilities, etc; it has a large forum community and help pages for any difficulties encountered, and best of all it's free.
Okay, so it's not Windows, but beggars can't be choosers and it's probably the easiest Linux distro to learn and use. Besides, it will dual boot with XP so there is no need to toss it out. For internet use and emails, etc, one would use Ubuntu, and XP for everything else... providing it is disconnected from the net and cannot access it.
Orright, so it's not Windows, but desperate times call for desperate measures, and if Ubuntu fills the void XP left behind, well I can see why not. Money for new hardware does not grow on trees, so while you're saving for a new PC, why not make use of what you've got and stick Ubuntu on it.... and did I mention its free?
Oi, is it a full moon tonight? If not it's close cos I'm feeling strange again. 
