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They say there are too few Windows 7 users to justify support. But the way they measure that is with the automated usage reporting. Here's the problem with that
by whoopdedo 4y ago
They say there are too few Windows 7 users to justify support. But the way they measure that is with the automated usage reporting. Here's the problem with that, people using Windows 7 are still doing so because they don't like sending automated usage reports. They're not going to show up in your telemetry. In addition to that, because this is a retro game application, the reason to stick with Windows 7 may be to preserve compatibility with older games. Knowing that the operating system is unsupported and lacking in security, one would be wise to only use it in offline mode. That means, again, your application won't be sending automated usage reports.
I don't doubt that Windows 7 usage is dwindling, but it's largely a self-fulfilling prophecy as developers miscount the size of their legacy user base which makes the application break on older systems and then the users either stop updating which means developers see fewer users in their metrics. It's unfortunate that the Dolphin team couldn't see the value in continuing legacy support and even more unfortunate that it's Qt's fault they had to abandon it.
- bbkane 4y agoGood points, but I do feel like people who turn off telemetry should understand and accept that this means their use cases won't be considered for product development.
- petters 4y agoOld versions of Dolphin will presumably still work, so it's not a huge blow to the Windows 7 users.
- nemothekid 4y ago>In addition to that, because this is a retro game application, the reason to stick with Windows 7 may be to preserve compatibility with older games How does Windows 7 preserve compatibility with older games? Dolphin's goal is to be compatible with all Gamecube (and Wii) games. If Windows 7 is impeding that goal, I don't see how Windows 7 will have better compatibility with older gamecube game. Also, from the perspective of Windows 7, every Gamecube game had already been released by the time Windows 7 was generally available (the Gamecube's EOL was in 2007; Windows 7 came out in 2010). No game could have "targeted" windows 7.
- noisem4ker 4y agoIt's about compatibility with older PC games, something a Windows 7 box dedicated to retro gaming might run besides Dolphin.
- rubyist5eva 4y ago> Here's the problem with that, people using Windows 7 are still doing so because they don't like sending automated usage reports. They're not going to show up in your telemetry. At this point - that's the users problem. Don't say you don't want to engage with the developers of your software and then be flabbergasted when they stop supporting you.
- skeaker 4y agoThe Dolphin team is comprised of volunteers, and a single guy was supporting Windows 7 up until a little while ago presumably for personal reasons like lack of time. I don't think the Dolphin team can really be put at fault in good faith.
- Wowfunhappy 4y agoIf there's a lot of demand, I bet it wouldn't be that difficult for someone to maintain a Windows 7 fork of Dolphin. I personally have a fork of Dolphin that retains compatibility with OS X 10.9 Mavericks. The hardest part was building QT 5.9 with Mavericks compatibility.