Microsoft has announced that it will not fix a vulnerability in Windows 98 Explorer. It claims that it would require a major rewrite of explorer, which would not assure that other applications will still be working.
They advise the workaround to firewall port 139, which in fact terminates file and printer sharing.
See the posting at: MS Security Blog
I have been working on an article which I was still busy rewriting, where I predicted that ,at this stage, it would be in Microsofts advantage to leave big vulnerabilities open. That would force people to spend money on their new operating system.
This is another example of how commercial businesses sometimes operate despite what the users want or need. You can guess that this pattern will be repeated.
So there are two options:
1. You still want to use the old computer where you are now running Win 98 on. You can turn to a linux which will run on old hardware. Find them on Distrowatch
2. If you are going to buy new hardware, try to run some linux on the side. This will prevent you to be further dependent on a party, who has different interest than you.
I would recommend something like Ubuntu 6.06, which is not the most easy one, but with the current release geared toward businesses, or Suse 10 who has currently more hardware supported than Vista. Knoppix has always been a favorite.
You can find your own Linux distro for beginners at Distrowatch.com.
Comments
Re: Microsoft will not fix a big...
To say it upfront, I am not a big fan of MS. But to be honest, I would do it the same way.
Win98 is a old piece of software. If I counted right, there are 3 newer versions and the MS world is looking forward to the next version of the MS OS.
The support for Win98 is officialy stopped since ages, just like for my Win2000. So, I can NOT expect MS to fix bugs.
I don't know if it's true that it would mean a major rewrite for MS, but if so why should they even think of fixing the bug? Switching to Linux is not the full truth. An 8 years old version is most likely also not quickly fixed if it means a major rewriting of the code. I can not expect everyone to support any OS and/or program for the rest of my life.
Do you really think that someone will fix your 8 years old car for free?
Just my 0.02$
Greetings from the MatriX,
neo
Re: Microsoft will not fix a big...
I agree Neo, most products have a life cycle, and you cannot expect then to keep upgrading the old system forever. After all the newer versions were supposed to be better, at least that is what we were to pay for?
However, i am a big fan of the 'if it is not broken - don't fix it' theory. There are literally millions of people using Win98 because they do not need anything better. A typewriter is a great tool to write letters if that is all you want to do with it.
We need to remember to 'mind the gap' as well. Many still use old computers that cannot possibly run WinXP. Do we throw away working machines because the software needs faster stuff? Don't let me get into an environmental rave here but we do have commercial 'planned obselecence' forcing us to buy new things before the old one is dead.
Ubuntu, getting better all the time, does focus on the less advantaged. They even have released a version called Xubuntu to run on 'older' machines.
I am happy that someone cares for the less wealthy! (And, yes there are others offering linux distros for weaker machines too!)
Blessings to all.
Mike
Ofcourse is there a lifecycle.
So I agree with you that we shouldn't really expect MS to rewrite it. On one hand, they agreed to let it end only next month, so maybe not really fair to drop out a month before, arguing that it requires too much. On the other side: They were originally planning to drop it already in 2003.
But their side of the story doesn't help us in defending the machines. We recently replaced 14 Win98 because of licenses, but the 'legal' ones are still running, and people expect support. I already don't do that anymore.
But from the point that you do have a win98 machine, what's next? Post above gives you two options.
And There are enough linuxes who are maintaned, and still run on slow pc's. Often that is the USP where people start using them. And a lot still have the focus to work on 486.
Ubuntu is based on Debian. That system is used for a lot off the small distro´s.
Patience
I this day of dual-core, 1G Ram+ comps, I am surprised that anyone has the patience to use a Win98 machine. Aren't there a bunch of other things that you just can't do with those machines anymore?
I'm all for linux installs, but i would imagine there would be some resistance, especially among those who are happy with Win98.. perhaps they fear change.. Try getting someone to change from XP to OSX..
Mind the Gap
Unfortunately many of our locations do not have the resources or even money for such performance.
In Africa many still use old machines as that is all they can get. If a Win98 machine will do the job and has not died yet, why should you throw it out? That is a sad part of the consumer mentality we are almost imposed upon.
I have a couple of Celeron 400 machines for student internet use that still work well (for that use) and why should I pay good ministry money to buy a machine that runs XP.
After all the discussion started on internet security issues - these old machines are hardly Photoshop based machines but mostly surfing terminals perhaps.
Perhaps the question we need to consider is how we can serve and support those that cannot yet get rid of Win98 class machines.
If Win98 is considered 'unsafe' and MS will not secure them (a fair business decision considering product lifecycles) - then what can we recommend to those stuck with the old....
Blessings
Mike
probably right
You are most likely right. Linux becomes a more and more attractive option.
Time for Linux
I think Linux OS would be a great answer for it. I lived on linux for more than 6 months and have not missed windows (I have nothing against windows and actualy like using it).
People keep saying that Linux in not ready for desktop, I used to agree with it, but not anymore.
I think most of us here have tried UBUNTU or other distros of linux but I personally think we haven't really tried to make it work for us, if we (the IT people) don't USE it to some extent we can never expect the normal users to accept it as an option.
We should aways mind the gap and at the same time stay on top of what's happening at the cutting edge. Linux can give us the taste of both, unlike the the other players in the market.