From everything I have read, Flash has been fixed. So, it's a moot point.
Windows 8 actually runs very well on older hardware, this is a known fact.
Runs better than 7 on that same hardware.
I have old PC's here, and Win8 runs extremely well on them.
As for Software that may not run, that, no one can help with other than the developers of said software.
Yes, it can be costly to some degree, depending. But, I haven't (personally) bought any new software that I run, in a very long time
Stuff I run that worked in XP, works just fine in Win8.
There isn't a large majority of people that run into these issues though.
(i.e. yes there may be quite a few, but it's not an overwhelming number)
Yes, we can argue those people that are affected, but,
I think it's wrong to site that as a reason for everyone to stay away from Win8. It's a bit extreme.
I am not saying there are not draw backs to upgrading, there always will be, no matter what. There is no way around that.
But, that doesn't make, nor explain away what the original article attempts to claim.
Granted there are those that can not afford to upgrade. I think that is neither here nor there.
They weren't necessarily going to upgrade anytime soon anyway.
Hand me down PC's for kids and stuff, I think it's great.
Let them break it and fix it, it's what I did to learn in DOS, Win95, etc. etc.
Be a good steward and explain the age and vulnerabilities and precautions to take.
Maybe that is what is missing from this conversation.
People taking personal responsibility for what they advise, and advise properly, not on personal feelings, but on real educated information. not just from what they read in some article either. But actually knowing and using, and real research.
Advise on the reason they should upgrade, or save to upgrade, and the problems of not doing so.
Not just cause they don't like the new OS.
Win8 is a great OS over all.
BTW: Every OS on the planet has vulnerabilities. There will never, ever, ever, ever,ever,ever,ever,ever be one that doesn't.
Getting those vulnerabilities patched is what should count the most.
But, if you are a target, and someone wants in your PC, (Linux, Mac, Windows, doesn't matter)
if they are good at it and know what they are doing..... they are getting in........ unless you unplug from the net.