Microsoft has announced that hardware manufacturers will be allowed to continue selling “factory downgraded” XP boxes for another 6 months from the previously expected deadline of January 31st next year. They will also allow such machines to be sold online. I don’t think I’ll be needing another new PC in that time (or rather I could do with one for work, but I don’t have the money or the room for it), but it is nice to know that I won’t be forced to upgrade to Vista should I have to buy one. Consumer power at work.