Microsoft will end support for Windows XP on April 8, 2014. In other words, Microsoft will no long provide updates any kind or tech support for XP systems. Although many software providers pledge to continue support for XP for the undefined future, it is expected that eventually even they will no longer support the operating system.

Although Windows has warned users of its plan for XP for years, many have been slow to transition. Home users, businesses, government institutions and for a more evident example, our own school, still remain in the XP era with a significant portion of their technology. While our school seems to be slowly upgrading the last remaining XP systems, many business — especially banks — have not transitioned at all. When the security updates for their systems stop, viruses can easily intrude. That could mean disaster for our financial institutions.

While the future without XP support sounds uncertain for business, there is more hope for home users who can’t afford to upgrade their hardware. Home users can dive into the world of Linux — a free alternative operating system.

Linux flexes to a user’s needs, depending on how tech savvy he or she is. For example, Google uses Linux as its base for Android products. That level of tinkering with the operating system requires a lot of tech savvy. However, there are versions of Linux that require little to no tech savvy or tinkering.

For those used to the Windows interface, Linux Mint 13 is the suggested route. Linux Mint 13 runs well on hardware designed for Windows XP and unlike Windows, few viruses are designed to attack the system. To learn the ins-and-outs of the operating system, users can look through many of the online user guides provided by the Linux Mint community. Tech support is community based and free of cost.

The operating system can be used to either replace XP or be dual-booted with XP (meaning every time the computer starts, there are two system options presented — one being XP, the other being Linux Mint). Dual-booting would allow someone to keep their Windows system with all of its programs while having Linux to use when its time to do activities that demand the latest updates.

For those looking to learn more about Linux Mint, visit the website at http://www.linuxmint.com/.

Regardless of what route XP users take, time is of the essence. As of the writing of this article, April 8 is only 15 days away. Microsoft has made no mention of backing down from their cutoff deadline as they did the last few times they threatened to end XP’s life.