Microsoft XP Service Pack 3 coming soon!
With nearly 1000 fixes, and the pledge of support until 2014 MS gives us a viable alternative to Vista.

Service Pack 3 For Windows XP

Those who are still hanging onto Windows XP (32-bit) will be heartened to know that the Service Pack 3 programme is chugging along nicely. In fact, Microsoft is scheduled to wrap up the Technical Beta and release Service Pack 3 for public beta testing within the next two weeks.

Although Microsoft is ending the sale of Windows XP through retail and OEM channels by end of January 2008, this does not mean they are ending their support of Windows XP. While some publications claim that Microsoft will stop supporting Windows XP by 2009, that's simply not true. Microsoft will continue to support Windows XP up till August 4, 2014 under their Extended Support Policy. Naysayers can take a look at the Support Lifecycle for Windows XP Professional for example.

As Windows XP nears the end-of-life though, it is Microsoft's policy to release a final service pack to wrap up all those hot fixes and patches released over the past few years. A Sayonara Service Pack, in other words. What this means is a much easier patching process for those who still want to stick with Windows XP. Almost a thousand Windows XP updates in a single download.

It doesn't matter if you are still using the original, unpatched Windows XP or Windows XP Service Pack 2. You can upgrade directly to Windows XP Service Pack 3. You can also slipstream Service Pack 3 into your Windows XP installation media. This allows you to install a fully-patched Windows XP SP3 without going through the ardous process of downloading and installing the many, different updates.

Read all about it here, courtesy of TechArp.com

Eric