Well, it looks like there is a stay in the execution for Windows 98. I am quite glad it happened. I can't see people running out and buying XP because of it. Most of the people I support can't afford antivirus and use netzero or the like for access too.
From CNN: Support for Windows 98 and Windows 98 S.E. had been scheduled to expire Friday, and for Windows Millennium Edition on December 31. Under Monday's decision, the software giant would maintain paid phone support for the operating systems and review security threats to determine whether it will provide customers with security patches through June 30, 2006.
There are a lot of people I know who are still running Windows98. Some are even still running 95. The majority are still running the older operating systems because they do not have the money to shell out for a new system.
My experience tells me, if you have an older PC, it does not make sense to spend $200.00 (Or more) on a new operating system. One that will probably not work very well on a machine that should be replaced anyway.But money talks and if you don't have the money, you don't upgrade. Also, there is the group who always knows that what they have it sufficient but are always trying to fix it because it is fubar anyway.
IMHO, I think this is one of the times reality sunk in to the upper managers at Microsoft. They are doing the right thing with forcing technology advances. But, when you try and push forward in areas where most comsumers are not very upgrade savvy, your going to hurt the people who are your biggest backers. Lets get serious for a moment. If it was not for Microsoft producing what is now the most used operating system, we would not be where we are today. If you make it easy to use, Chuggles (or non-computer people) will integrate it into their lives. I really doubt that all the older (60+) people in this country, would be buying computers if any of the generic flavors of Linux, Unix, or even FreeBSD were installed as the main operating system. These take knowledge, training and patience. Most of which the general public has little of any of the three.
When supporting your consumer base overrules the need to push your bussiness user base, you have to back up and see what is your main focus. Is it making people (home consumers) spend money they probably do not have at the moment? Or is it possibily blinding your users to your vision by dropping them from your view of what is important? If you stop supporting them, they will stop relying on you for the next step.
I think someone saw this when the moment to stop supporting 98 started to get close. Normal consumers, who have no where else to go (possibly due to a lack of training, knowledge of computers, or just no money for this type of thing) were ready to go to the next best thing. And I believe this would have been one of the flavors of Linux. In the last couple of years, the use of operating systems such as OSx (Mac/Apple), Red Hat, SuSe, or even BSD would have flourished. Sure, you would have to buy a new Mac for OSx. But most of the Linux builds out there will work on the very windows (Intel platform) PC you probably have on your desk right now.
The office suites that are very costly to consumers, are now seeing freeware or shareware versions emerging into the marketplace. Office suites like "Open Office", and "602 (yep, that is the name) are just a few of the great titles out there on the internet, just waiting for you to download and try. If you choose "Open Office", it is free (if you can believe it). I use it right along side of my Microsoft Office 2003 suite and they both have their advantages. Sure, I like the "Microsoft Office 2003 suite" a lot more, but free is good. If I could buy Office 2003 for everyone I knew, I would. But I can't, so I get them Open Office. I can't feed the world, but I can make them a little happier this way.
If you want to know what Microsoft does or does not support (now or in the future), go to the "Product Lifecycle Dates - Windows Product Family" and see if you are still supported. It is always good to look just to see if your product support will stop. Even if it is in 4 or 5 years.
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