Ah, you say, why on earth start talking about the next version of Windows, we are still using Windows XP?

Really, but XP was launched about 12 years ago and is destined for the scrapheap in short order, and since then we have had Vista, Windows 7 and now Windows 8 plus Windows RT and Windows Pro, the last two for the newer devices like smartphones and tablets.

You’d think that

would be enough to keep us going getting our head around all these versions and their uses, advantages and dis- ditto. But no. We learn that Microsoft is – for good reasons – developing the next Windows platform codenamed Windows Blue.

The word is that they are halfway there though few details are known about the content, however, the changes apparently are said to be significant.

This could be an upgrade to Windows 9 or a brand new version, but either way expect it to pander to the smartphones and tablet computers and further integration with SkyDrive and cloud based softwares like Office365.

So why is Microsoft putting pressure on developing yet another Windows platform?, simple they cannot afford to be left behind in the operating systems for tablet and phone market, in spite of them having already produced the first OS to cross the 3 platforms of computers, tablets and smartphones, a first of the kind, but no doubt they feel the hot breath of Apple’s iOS and Google’s Android system on the back of their necks, so turbocharging the development of yet a new and better system may be their answer.

As many of you are already into using tablets and smartphones, Kapiti SeniorNet must also keep a step ahead to be of assistance to you when you need to know how or what or where you went off the rails and crashed the jolly thing.

If you are already a seasoned user of a tablet computer or a smartphone then of course you might like to pass your knowledge on to others so they too can gain fuller use of their device, and Kapiti SeniorNet would certainly like to hear from you if you can spare a few hours now and then to help tutor our members.

Meanwhile, back on earth, if you are still using XP give some thought to upgrading your computer and software, we’d be glad to assist to make the transition painless.