[pchelpers] Re: Windows 98/98SE/ME end of support

Hi Ekhart,

Sunday, April 30, 2006, 3:58:53 AM, you wrote:

EGlnl> Even if that means having to look for used motherboards and
EGlnl> other parts in the unlikely event of needing something like
EGlnl> that in a new computer, the Windows 98 option is still much
EGlnl> better than running an illegal XP with critical security holes.

AutomaticUpdates is still available, so no need for holes, if willing
to put up with the message.


EGlnl> Most users do not need more than basic functions in a computer,
EGlnl> and virtually all necessary equipment and software is still
EGlnl> available for Windows 98. Since such a large percentage of
EGlnl> people are still using 98, this will also probably result in a
EGlnl> large market in used parts, which will be one of the best
EGlnl> things that happened to the environment in a long time.

I think you're being even more optimistic than usual. :) I don't see a
lot of people changing to older versions of Windows just to get rid of
a message.

Also, working on older computers and OSes is charity work for many
techs, because charging standard fees would result in a larger bill
than working on a new computer, because some things can be done more
easily with a new OS, and most things are noticeably faster. For
example, 2 or 3 hours of work on a system could cost around $100 or
so, depending upon your rates, while a new system can be had for about
3-4 times that.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16883103001
It's US$339.87, and the problems with it are that it has a Sempron
instead of an Athlon, CD-ROM only, and only 256MB of memory.

An extra $70 gives a DVD writer, 512MB memory, and twice as much HD
space, which are enough to make it decent:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16883103002


EGlnl> Many people with older computers will also switch to Linux and
EGlnl> will discover that their computers run faster than many newer
EGlnl> computers with XP. The only "real" problem in switching to
EGlnl> Linux is having to learn to use new programs, but even that
EGlnl> problem disappears for people who have already switched to
EGlnl> Firefox, Thunderbird, and AbiWord or OpenOffice, because these
EGlnl> all run on both Windows and Linux.

They also need to be willing to toss what they have and download or
borrow a CD with Linux, etc.  Again, probably talking about a low
percentage.

-- 
Scott.



-- 
-------list-services-below-----------
Regards, John Durham (list moderator) <http://modecideas.com/contact.html?sig>
Freelists login at http://www.freelists.org/cgi-bin/lsg2.cgi
List archives at http://www.freelists.org/archives/pchelpers
PC-HELPERS list subscribe/unsub at http://modecideas.com/discuss.htm?sig
Latest news live feeds at http://modecideas.com/indexhomenews.htm?sig
Good advice is like good paint- it only works if applied.

Other related posts: