OT: Win98 rumors

[Oren Beck]

Jonathan Hutchins wrote:
> There are rumors floating on the Hampshire (UK) LUG list that many of the
> recent patches for Win98/ME are destabilizing.  They have been ported from
> XP patches without adequate checking - and there are a LOT of different
> combinations of patches possible between the original relase of 98, OEM2E,
> and ME.
> 
> Some people are suggesting that Microsoft is deliberately sabotaging this
> platform because they want to get it off their backs and migrate people to
> XP.  Microsoft would never do something like that, would they?

Actually stated somwhere was that the intent of MS policy never was to 
continue life of products after a new release.
IIRC the reason for "patches" was to allow a user to retain 
functionality prior to migration to an upgraded release

The ugliest side of a proprietary software model emerges when "upgrade 
or lose your data"  becomes a marketing force. With ZERO trace of 
sarcasm consider that giving someone poison and price gouging the 
antidote could describe
both the Malware/protection racket*  AND the rumored tactics .

The joke that describes Windows "security software" marketing best ?
"This salesman attempting to sell these toothbrushes with toothpaste in 
the handle has sold not a one- so he sets up a convincing looking sample 
table of bean dip and chips - first customer takes a chip- scoops up 
some dip -tastes it and screams almost while vomiting "This dip tastes 
like crap" To which the salesman says  "It IS ....Wanna buy a TOOTHBRUSH 
?"  Punch line being more ominous - the last job the salesman had was 
shilling for Passport .

* IT remains to be seen what will become of the first case where someone 
is convicted for writing malware at the renumeration of a "protection " 
software company . Arguably RICO investigations of some companies would 
bear fruit .

Oren