up vote 2 down vote favorite
share [g+] share [fb]

I want to implement Google Gears in the application which I am developing.

I've been using Windows 2000 for the past five years without any problems. Now for implementing Google Gears I need to update to XP/Vista.

Why does Google Gears need XP/Vista? Why can't we install it in 2000?

link|improve this question
10  
The question is, why are you still using a 9 years old OS ? – Michael B. Aug 15 '09 at 15:23
1  
XP was released in 2001! And you've only been using 2k since 2004? – jason Aug 15 '09 at 15:26
belongs on Superuser. – Chacha102 Aug 15 '09 at 15:28
Is that answer my question? LOL – Niger Aug 15 '09 at 15:30
3  
Ask a stupid question, don't complain about the answers you'll get. – Chacha102 Aug 15 '09 at 15:33
show 2 more comments
feedback

migrated from stackoverflow.com Aug 15 '09 at 15:45

This question came from our site for professional and enthusiast programmers.

closed as not constructive by Sathya♦ Jul 22 '11 at 5:24

This question is not a good fit to our Q&A format. We expect answers to generally involve facts, references, or specific expertise; this question will likely solicit opinion, debate, arguments, polling, or extended discussion. See the FAQ for guidance on how to improve it.

3 Answers

up vote 19 down vote

Because Google didn't feel they'd get an adequate return on investment for the effort and overhead of supporting an outdated operating system.

link|improve this answer
1  
Outdated? come on. still i know people useing Windows 98 for there businuess. Effective running till today. – Niger Aug 15 '09 at 15:29
1  
blogs.msdn.com/ie/archive/2005/05/27/422721.aspx. I don't know how to state it any more clearly than that. – chaos Aug 15 '09 at 15:31
3  
Also, if you know people using Windows 98, their business is not the main thing it is in use for. For the main thing it is in use for, see here: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Storm_botnet – chaos Aug 15 '09 at 15:32
2  
Yes, with an operating system that even Microsoft will not support after the middle of next year, there isn't enough ROI. Most corporations are already moving away from it. Further, XP and 2000 are not entirely compatible systems. There are enough differences that some of the features would have to be reprogrammed to support 2000. – BBlake Aug 15 '09 at 15:32
4  
@Niger "Still using" and "up to date" are entirely different things. Windows 98 is outdated, even if people still use it. – ceejayoz Aug 15 '09 at 17:14
show 1 more comment
feedback
up vote 3 down vote

To support it on Windows 2000 isn't just the coding (which is probably wouldn't be huge amounts of work), but having extra developers working on it, and having Windows 2000 machines around to test on..

To what end? The operating system is 9 years old, and has been superseded by 3 new versions (XP, Vista and soon Windows 7), and it's something that isn't required, it's just a nice addition..

link|improve this answer
feedback
up vote 1 down vote

Here's how to get Google Gears working on Windows 2000:

http://www.msfn.org/board/kdw-fcwin2k-t120936-page-180.html

It involves using a set of XP API wrapper DLLs that intercept the XP-specific calls and translate them to Win2K-compatible calls. It works like a champ, and I use Google Gears on all my Wordpress sites I administer.

The direct source is here: (Google Translation, original author is Japanese)

http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=ja&tl=en&u=http://blog.livedoor.jp/blackwingcat/archives/360097.html&rurl=translate.google.com

Here is the actual download tool that makes Google Chrome work on Windows 2000:

http://files.me.com/theblackcat/1ainrv

link|improve this answer
feedback