The nonprofit Zeroday Emergency Response Team is offering VML security patches for out-of-support Windows OS versions. The volunteer group, which is made up of well-respected security professionals, has released updates for Windows 98, Windows 98 SE, Windows ME, Windows 2000 and Windows 2000 SP3.
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Member since:2006-08-09
>> If microsoft continued to offer support for windows 98 then less people would upgrade and microsoft won't make money. <<
It hardly matters, because most Wndws-money is made by selling preloaded Wndws on new machines.
>> It's basic commerical sense only to put money in to areas that will produce a return. <<
..it is for those companies that only care about short term revenue, more than reputation, the environment, human rights, and the rights of workers.
Member since:2005-08-11
Most people don't know the difference between hardware and software, if Windows starts acting up badly enough, they'll buy a new computer, seeing as computers are pretty cheap these days. For a long time I worked at an ISP, and we saw it all the time, computer gets worm, customer calls us and yells, we advise them to go to a shop, they go and salesperson sells them new PC, then refurbs the old one and sells it for even more money.
So by your logic, if most people get windows on new PCs, MS still makes money by not patching older OS's, as people will trade in thier old ones to get the new OS
Member since:2005-07-09
Member since:
2005-08-17
ummm...it's 2006. If I were a shareholder and microsoft were still offering free support for a product that is 8 years old then I would be asking questions.
Software has an unlimited lifetime. People only upgrade to get better feature and to continue to have support. If microsoft continued to offer support for windows 98 then less people would upgrade and microsoft won't make money.
It's basic commerical sense only to put money in to areas that will produce a return.