Windows XP Pro SP3 Activation

Question

Before I say anything else, my main OS is Windows 8.1 Pro 64 bit, and the only reason why were still using Windows XP is for old software that won't work on Vista, 7, 8, or 8.1.  So "just upgrading the os" is NOT an option
Today I had to reinstall a copy of Windows XP Professional Service Pack 3 on a laptop. Install went good, installed all the drivers, the software needed on that machine and ensured it had access to the internet. No AntiVirus software that could cause any
issues was installed at this point. The "Activate Windows" balloon notification comes up in the system tray so I click on it, enter the valid product key, select no to the "Register with Microsoft" option and go ahead and try to activate
it using the internet. It wouldn't work, tried 5 different times and got a message saying it could not establish a connection to the activation server. So apparently Microsoft has taken down the Windows XP internet activation server, This is just great, I
looked it up online and other people appear to be having the same issue. Wow Microsoft, say one thing and do the other. Anyway that leaves phone activation the only other option, so I spend 15 minutes changing the product key, calling up 1-888-571-2048 and
entering the long string of numbers, then entering the conformation code and then it is finally activated.
I'm just bringing this to attention because apparently Windows XP (and possibly Server 2003) internet activation no longer works, you have to use the long and tedious phone activation. I am really disappointing in this Microsoft, who said "After April
8th 2014 you will still be able to activate new copies" guess that was a big fat lie.

Answer 1

First you said: "I spend 15 minutes changing the product key, calling up 1-888-571-2048 and entering the long string
of numbers, then entering the conformation code and then it is finally activated."
Then you said: "guess that was a big fat lie."
These are in direct opposition.  You were able to activate your install.  They never said that they would keep the serves running, just that you would be able to activate, and you have.  
Please do not read this sentence. Please ignore the previous sentence.
A big fat +1, sir!