Which version of Windows do you use?

[Rick Brewster]

This poll is, to be honest, kind of a lead-in. Paint.NET v4.0 is something I'm hoping to release by the end of 2011, and I do have data on what percentage of users are using which version of Windows. Check out my latest blog entry with this data: http://blog.getpaint...age-statistics/

Paint.NET v4.0 is going to require Windows Vista minimum (Server 2008 gets included as well, albeit not as something I actually test on). To put it another way, XP will not be supported. I do plan to keep the last XP-supporting version of Paint.NET (probably version 3.5.x) available for download for maybe a year after the release. I'm doing this partly because there's just no way I can realistically implement all the features that everyone wants without using stuff like Direct2D and DirectWrite. These are OS components that are simply not available on XP, and from experience it is not something I can work around while also staying motivated, happy, and and productive. (Put another way, the choice is either "Paint.NET v4 requiring Vista+" or "discontinuing Paint.NET development entirely". Remember, it's just me writing this -- I do not have, nor will I hire, a huge team of developers).

I thought I'd open up this as a discussion thread and soapbox on the topic. Feel free to ask me questions and voice your opinions. This is a thread for intelligent conversation and constructive criticism. The decision has been made and will not be changed, so please keep that in mind and don't post a long tirade begging me to change my mind. To quote a recent blog post of mine, "this was a decision I made after much deliberation with both quantitative and qualitative data, and spamming my comment box won’t change my mind. Your voice has already been heard [and counted and appreciated]. Thanks in advance."

[Leif]

It is a good idea to keep a "classic XP" version available after V 4.x is out. Only supported in the unlikely case a security issue turns up.

I think the plugin writers need to figure out a way to do the same.

[pyrochild]

It is a good idea to keep a "classic XP" version available after V 4.x is out. Only supported in the unlikely case a security issue turns up.

I think the plugin writers need to figure out a way to do the same.

... Oh hell no. I doubt I'll even be as generous as Rick by keeping 3.5.*-compatible versions of my plugins available to download. I definitely won't be adding new features or bug fixes to that set. I'm sure I'm not the only one; you people don't pay us enough! Or at all...

[0(-.-)0]

Windows 7 is beautiful. Very beautiful. It is the incarnation of beauty. It is like a flower on a mountain in lake over looking a forest. But more. Its pretty. And its fast.

[barbieq25]

I can appreciate previous comments & explanations. Pyrochild, I really do wish that I could pay you & the rest of the team what you are worth. :present:

Vista sux & so does Win 7 but there are a lot of worse things in life - such as not having paint.net at all.

Keep doing the great work

[jerry533482]

I agree with Rick on keeping an XP-compatible version of PDN out for a while after mainstream support has been dropped. If you look at the usage statistics, over half of all PDN users are running XP! But with Windows 7 having been released & it's adoption rate being so high, the odds are likely that those numbers will soon change. And for all windows users reading this post, I implore you, upgrade to Windows 7 if you haven't already! It's awesome & well worth it.

Anyway, vista+ is the way to go for v4.0. We all know how many PDN users would love to see brushes as a feature!

[Rick Brewster]

Vista sux & so does Win 7 ...

Actually Win7 is quite darned awesome.

[0(-.-)0]

Actually Win7 is quite darned awesome.

Amen.

[jerry533482]

Hey Rick, can you ever make Windows 7 the minimum supported OS? I don't think a lot of members would miss vista support.

Seriously, Windows 7 & Paint.NET: the perfect yet beautiful match. And like 0(-.-)0 said, don't forget about the speed.

[Zagna]

You gotta like your school when it has an MSDNAA set up

It's nice to just navigate there, click Buy and download XP, Vista or 7 right away. 

Also Expression Studio 3, Visual Studio, Visio and stuff.

*hugs free Windows 7 Pro x64*

Edited April 6, 2010 by Zagna

[oma]

What version of Windows are you using on your system?

Windows 7, or Server 2008 "R2" (9 votes [56.25%])

Percentage of vote: 56.25%

Windows Vista, or Server 2008 (3 votes [18.75%])

Percentage of vote: 18.75%

Windows XP, or Server 2003 (4 votes [25.00%])

Percentage of vote: 25.00%

"Something Else" (0 votes [0.00%])

personally Rick I'd love you to be able to go to the next level. I just hope its not too near happening, as I really can't afford a new putor right now. Pensions run tight sometimes.

on the vote I think its really not showing true yet. With only a total of 16 votes 9 being for Windows 7, Of course the percentage is skewed in favour of Windows 7. I know you have many other sources of info so Windows 7 is likely the most popular especially with all the young ones that have the newest and latest computors. So if you do go to version 4 and drop XP I'd like to take this opportunity to say how much this program has provided me with hours and hours of wonderful entertainment, and just Thanks all around for what you've given to us so far.

LOL! don't rush version 4 I still have a bit of umph in this old brain I need to keep nimble and active. I want to play at art for a bit longer. LOL!

ciao OMA

Edited April 6, 2010 by oma

[sokagirl]

I just can't afford Windows 7 right now :heart-break:

[Frontcannon]

I just updated my computer a month ago (Quad-core here I come) and so did I with my OS, though I couldn't be bothered to actually... pay for it.

It works really well so far, and I hope many more users find ways to solve their financial problems

[ImAnOwl?]

what does Win7 cost to download?... bought it with my pc with some discount

[Mike Ryan]

I voted Windows 7. Everybody at my school runs Windows 7 (Our Student copies were free), and every library and classroom PC are running Windows 7. Adoption has been massive for this OS in my local area.

[Sozo]

Hey Rick, can you ever make Windows 7 the minimum supported OS? I don't think a lot of members would miss vista support.

Seriously, Windows 7 & Paint.NET: the perfect yet beautiful match. And like 0(-.-)0 said, don't forget about the speed.

Win 7, internally, is pretty similar in most aspects to Vista. It wouldn't make sense to require Windows 7 over Vista and XP, because it's essentially the same thing as Vista, as far as running environment goes.

That said, I fully support the dropping of XP by you Rick, for what it's worth. It simply doesn't make sense to be chained to old technology for forever, and I certainly don't want you to lose your will to work on Paint.NET.

[chrisco97]

I have Vista, and I can not afford to buy Windows7. I hope you guys keep support for Vista!

My friend has Windows7, and he likes to rub it in my face. It is nice, but not worth the money. It is very similiar to Vista. Just a little bit faster.

[Goonfella]

Well I went for Win7. I have recently upgraded to 7 Home Premium from Vista Basic and am glad I did. All my most used programs/files are pinned to the new taskbar which means I have the whole uncluttered screen to show off my wallpapers. Luvly!

And there are many more benefits as well. When it comes to plug in update time(as it has with a few plug in packs recently)I can just snap one window to the left and one to the right and copy across my chosen plug ins. No fiddling around getting two windows side by side. Win7 just does it for me.

I agree that PDN has to move on. I can`t say whether I like or dislike XP as I only use it at work so it would be unfair to judge it but one thing I do know is that Win7 has turned out to be far more popular than Vista ever was (even though I think Vista was not as bad as people make out) so surely it`s just a matter of time before it becomes the dominant OS .

[LFC4EVER]

Windows 7 is win. Hopefully by the time PDN v4.0 is released, most users will have converted to Windows 7 if they haven't already. If not, PDN v4.0 should be enough incentive to convert to 7.

[Lance McKnight]

I am willing to upgrade to Win 7 when I know that my computer (being 6 years old) is fully compatible with the requirement of Win 7. I'm probably going to get pwned for this.

As for Vista, I have been hearing and reading that Vista is so buggy that it reminds me of Windows ME (shudders), and I have seen the BSD on Vista laptop once or twice.

I am all for making Win 7 the minimum requirement for PDN v4.0. I'm really impressed with your dedication to the software, Rick, and kudos to all the plugin authors for enhancing it further.

[sokagirl]

Well I guess when this happens I'll have to say goodbye to Paint.net .. Sadly unless my ship comes in then I can get Windows 7 if not it's bye bye paint ..

[Rick Brewster]

sokagirl, You will still be able to use Paint.NET v3.5.x ya know. It's not like it'll just be deleted off your computer.

And, honestly, at that point XP will be over 10 years old. It's done. Let's all dig it a grave and move on.

[Gamer_World14]

It's sad to see that XP is disappearing from software applications but I can see it's hard to keep updated with the newer features that would make the software even more exciting. I am glad that I do have Windows 7 on my newer PC. It runs quite well, and I'm glad I updated my system.

Edited April 7, 2010 by Gamer_World14

[Leonte]

honestly, i'd love to say i can just upgrade to vista or 7, but in my case, that involves a new computer, and that's something an uneployed bumm like me can't afford.

i doubt vista or 7 would run evin close to properly on my 1.8 Ghz (single core) pentium 4 and 512 MB of ram.... would they? 

[zarathoustra]

Honestly, i wouldn't even do Vista for softwares I make at home.

I'd dev for 7, works for vista -> fine, doesn't work for vista -> feature disabled.

Given the share of vista users there should be in 1.5 years, and the fact most things in 7 should work in vista, that wouldn't shock me.