[Am-info] Microsoft Changes Mind on Windows 98 Support

[Gene Gaines]

Now, I just can't imagine why Muckysoft would listen to
customers, unless they thought they really had no choice
but to do so.  See story below.

Gene Gaines

http://www.reuters.co.uk/newsArticle.jhtml?type=technologyNews&storyID=4116178&section=news


Microsoft Changes Mind on Windows 98 Support
Tue 13 January, 2004 09:24

AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - U.S. software maker Microsoft said on
Tuesday it would continue to offer support to customers who still
own versions of its Windows 98 operating system, in a move aimed
to sooth developing countries.

Extended Support for Windows 98 and Windows 98 SE had been
scheduled to come to an end on Friday, January 16, while Windows
Me support had been scheduled to end December 31, 2004.

The company has now decided to lengthen the Extended Support phase
for Windows 98, Windows 98 SE and Windows Millennium Edition (Me)
through June 30, 2006.

It bit the bullet after it emerged that many users in developing
countries who still rely on Windows 98 were confused about
Microsoft's support guidelines. These were shorter for some
Windows 98 products than for its more recent batch of Windows
operating systems like Windows 2000 and Windows XP.

Microsoft has come under pressure in recent years, particularly by
authorities in developing countries, for its attempts to push
customers into buying or subscribing to newer, expensive Windows
and Office software versions.

Many countries have started to buy computers that run on the
freely available Linux system, while others hang onto older
Windows versions that have been paid for and still do the job.

Microsoft has responded in a variety of ways, such as cutting
prices for groups of big customers and opening up some of the
source code to address security concerns.

Windows 98, and its predecessor Windows 95, run on roughly 20
percent of all Windows-based PCs. Windows is the dominant PC
operating system with over 90 percent global market share.

"(This decision) provides Microsoft more time to communicate its
product lifecycle support guidelines in a handful of markets --
particularly smaller and emerging markets," Microsoft said in a
statement.

By this decision Microsoft will bring support for Windows 98 SE
into compliance with the firm's support lifecycle policy for its
current Windows products that are on sale. The company's current
lifecycle policy for new products provides for support for seven
years instead of the original four for Windows 98 SE.

Microsoft then decided to also lengthen support for Windows 98 and
Windows Me customers through the same date in order to provide a
consistent date.

"During this time, Microsoft will continue to offer paid phone
support and will continue to review any critical security issues
and take appropriate steps," it said.


Gene Gaines
gene.gaines@gainesgroup.com
Sterling, Virginia