Microsoft won't update on old operating systems

[Vin DSL]

Source: http://www.techworld.com/security/ne...94&pagtype=all

Microsoft has given up on the idea of patching a critical security vulnerability in Windows 98 and Windows ME. The company is set to cease support for the two operating systems shortly...

The flaw has to do with the way Windows Explorer handles the Component Object Model objects used by Windows programs...

"After extensive investigation, Microsoft has found that it is not feasible to make the extensive changes necessary... to eliminate the vulnerability," Microsoft's bulletin states. "We have found that these architectures will not support a fix for this issue now or in the future. "

Microsoft is about to stop providing security fixes for Windows 98 and ME altogether. The company's next monthly patch release next Tuesday is the last scheduled security fix for the two operating systems.

[Gwaihir]

Even more terrifying is how short the guaranteed life cycle really is. ME they actually stopped selling pretty quickly (2001 when XP came out?) but AFAIK they count these life cycles as five years from OS release, not from last sale. Basically that means they can cut us off of support for XP and force Vista upon us whenever they feel like it (XP is already five years old, doesn't matter that you bought your computer just yesterday or even tomorrow). Result: almost mandatory updates as a direct result of security flaws in the product you bought and paid for.

Good thing we have alternatives: if it weren't for OS-X and Linux, I think they'd actually pull that stunt before 2007 is out. As things stand right now there's at least a year or two extra for us.

[Connie]

I'm not sure this is really news. I have known that for a few years, and one reason I finally updated to XP a couple of years or so ago.

[Spathiphyllum]

If it was just the cost of upgrading the OS periodically, I wouldn't mind so much. The hidden expense is the cost of all of the 3rd-party software that one must upgrade to integrate with the new OS. Sometimes a patch will work and the "old-n-lousy" will work with the "new-n-improved", but other times a patch isn't offered and you must upgrade. That's one of the things that keeps me mired in the older releases. Keeping up in the race dictated by MS is a major turn-off though I understand the practicalities of advancing their product line and discontinuing support eventually.

I guess that's the appeal of open source products. You have more control of your operating environment. On the downside, you have more responsibility for your operating environment.

Thank goodness Apache and Linux are so relatively stable in tandem. It's just one of those things I don't seem to have to worry about.