[cctalk] Re: Classic computing - earliest years

On Thu, 16 Oct 2025, Steve Lewis via cctalk wrote: Each genre has its own definitions of "vintage", "classic", "antique", etc. A DMV/automotive set of thresholds is not especially accurate for computers, cameras, typewriters, sewing machines, tubas (we miss you, Chuck), For a car, ten years is a long time, and the dealer will want to discontinue carrying parts! Some makes and models of cars don't last ten years and auto makers don't WANT them to last; In 1955, Harley J. Earl (GM design), announce that average ownership had fallen from five years to two! "When it is one year, we will have a perfect score", he said. (cf Vance Packard, "The Waste makers") There are many in the computer industry who want planned obsolscence. Software that requires buying a new computer, computer that will only work with this weeks software, etc. Is there ANY reason why windows N can't work with legacy drivers from Windows N-1? Yes, printers and stuff add features. But, there is no reason why they can't work with their legacy drivers. How much disk space would it take for Windows 11 to have additional code code to let it use Windows XP, Win95, etc. drivers? (YES, but even if you can not get use of this week's Smell-O-Vision) They really do want you to throw your stuff out, and buy new ALL THE TIME Some of the newest, and I consider "CURRENT" of my computers are older than that, and not hurting for age. I use Windows 7, and XP; both of which are no longer supported, and browsers gripe. I heard that Microsoft officially discontinued support of Windows 10, October 14, 2025, day before yesterday! Well, they trademarked "MS-DOS", but could not trademark "DOS". (no matter what some xxxx from the English department might say at curriculum meeting) DOS was the common noun, MS-DOS was the "proper noutn" -- Grumpy Ol' Fred cisin(a)xenosoft.com