Microsoft Extends Win98/SE Support

An anonymous reader writes "ZDNet reports that Microsoft is extending technical support for Windows 98 till 30 June 2006, despite being days away from switching support to a CD. It seems Windows 98 will also have all necessary security updates till the new expiry date." The article states that Microsoft will have "...During that time paid over-the-phone support will be available, and "critical" security issues will be reviewed and "appropriate steps" taken."

Heh

[Xpilot]

Having to support their own old buggy products are their biggest liability. Popularity does have its downside.

Red Hat

[Anonymous Coward]

Yet "Red Hat will discontinue maintenance and errata support for Red Hat Linux 9 as of April 30, 2004"

Someone, quick, find out how this makes Microsoft... bad and Red Hat... good....?!

yep i sure do

[Anonymous Coward]

rule yu.

Hey!

[freeze128]

Where is my Windows *95* support CD?

Heh

[ArmenTanzarian]

I actually helped two people switch from 98 this week. They both started over the phone almost identically.

Friend(s): I can't make a boot disk, it doesn't recognize the drive anymore.
Me: You have to go into the BIOS, change the boot order and pop in a cd.
Friend(s): The what-os?
Me: I'm on my way.

These aren't dumb people, but I installed their OS's and now they think they can't handle it on their parents' computers. I do like impressing people with simple things though, like showing my nephew a yo-yo for the first time.

I'd like to know why

[jmichaelg]

The article doesn't delve into the reasoning behind the decision. It would be interesting to know if:

1. Some government somewhere muttered "Anti-Trust..." or
   
2. Overseas retailers started threatening a mass migration to some form of Linux or
   
3. IBM's decision to migrate to Desktop Linux played a factor or
   
4. Some other factors were involved.
   

Some might argue that Microsoft cares about their customers but then again, some people believe in the healing power of crystals.

Re:Hey!

[Anonymous Coward]

right next to my DOS 3.2 support floppy.

Latest Microsoft Invention...

[tarquin_fim_bim]

Vapour Support.

Well, people have been suffering under WIndows 98

[ConceptJunkie]

Well, people have been suffering under Windows 98 for years. Microsoft oughta be stuck supporting the crap they served us in the first place.

Just desserts, man.

I'm in the process of helping the parish office at my church to upgrade to Windows 2000, because their Windows 98 network gets screwed up about once a month. I want Microsoft to feel some of my pain, since it's their fault in the first place.

MS, You made your crap, now sleep in it.

This is good news because I figure it's much less likely for them to pull support for Win2k any time soon, which is actually decently stable. Anyone who needs a reliable system should upgrade from Windows 98 because it's crap, but I see no little or compelling reason to upgrade Windows 2000. Therefore, I was expecting MS to drop it like a hot potato to force upgrades. The problem with Win98 is that a lot of people are using it because they can't afford to upgrade. Therefore, MS shouldn't screw these people by forcing an expense on them they aren't willing to support this dog.

I expect Windows 2000 will be used for a long, long time.

Re:Heh

[NanoGator]

Microsoft is dropping support for Windows 98/SE. Lots of people still use it! Pitchforks ready!!!

Microsoft is renewing support for Windows 98/SE. Those damn buggy insecure products will never die! Pitchforks ready!!

Re:Sadly Enough

[Geek of Tech]

>> Her quote: "That's why I married you."

Does she have a sister?

Re:Heh

[Peale]

Hey, it's good news to me. I sell pitchforks.

Re:too late for me, billg

[Anonymous Coward]

Much better than:

Linux Tech support:
Thank you buying Linux fuckwitt, My name is John. WTF did you break?