How long will it last?

[Paradoxdb3]

I was recently reading posts on the msfn.org and read a few things that I
thought this community might know about (maybe there are some people from
here who go there also).

The first thing was that Windows 98 SE will soon be "dead" to the internet.
It will no longer be able to connect to newer websites that require a newer
browser/flash player and shuch. And since IE7 cannot be installed on Windows
98, Windows 98 will soon be unable to be used for this purpose.

Then there were unofficial service packs which apparently allowed for
XP-only software to be installed on Windows 98 SE. (There's also a service
pack called Revolutions Pack or RP for short which allows Windows 98 to use
32 bit icons in the task bar and tool bar...screenshots were also included
and it makes Windows 98 look like Vista!) Does anyone know anything about
these service packs? Should I avoid these, or are they safe to use?

Lastly, there was a post about Microsoft getting rid of the registry in the
next version operating system...it that true? What will that mean to old
software? Will software companies have to rewrite their products?

Thanks, I think that's it.

 

[MEB]

"Paradoxdb3" <Paradoxdb3@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news473AAA7-0B4B-49DE-A76C-11FE82749BF4@microsoft.com...
| I was recently reading posts on the msfn.org and read a few things that I
| thought this community might know about (maybe there are some people from
| here who go there also).
|
| The first thing was that Windows 98 SE will soon be "dead" to the
internet.
| It will no longer be able to connect to newer websites that require a
newer
| browser/flash player and shuch. And since IE7 cannot be installed on
Windows
| 98, Windows 98 will soon be unable to be used for this purpose.

Not true, IE 6 will be dead but Win98 can still be used as long as other
browsers are used. One aspect though, is Microsoft continuing to attempt to
require its browser upon its own Microsoft servers. It is sometimes
difficult for third party browsers to mimick or use Microsoft specific
aspects.
So far support is carried through, as these browsers are NOT embedded in
the operating system making most of the code specific to the application NOT
the OS [which is as it should be].

|
| Then there were unofficial service packs which apparently allowed for
| XP-only software to be installed on Windows 98 SE. (There's also a
service
| pack called Revolutions Pack or RP for short which allows Windows 98 to
use
| 32 bit icons in the task bar and tool bar...screenshots were also included
| and it makes Windows 98 look like Vista!) Does anyone know anything about
| these service packs? Should I avoid these, or are they safe to use?

As with any *unofficial* modification, user beware. Some may or may NOT
work as presented. Exactly how they work within the individual system,
largely depends upon its present configuration. Moreover, the creators tend
to include things THEY like in the packs [such as visual changes] which you
may not appreciate.

Additionally, support for these unofficial packs may not be all that great
should something go wrong after an installation with either the OS or any
application used therein.

|
| Lastly, there was a post about Microsoft getting rid of the registry in
the
| next version operating system...it that true? What will that mean to old
| software? Will software companies have to rewrite their products?
|
| Thanks, I think that's it.

Technically the registry is already gone, now its called hives.

As for the next-generation software? Know one really knows for sure, but
there is a major processor change in the works which WILL need an entirely
new OS.

--
MEB
http://peoplescounsel.orgfree.com
________

 

[Tim Slattery]

"MEB" <meb@not here@hotmail.com> wrote:


> Technically the registry is already gone, now its called hives.

AFAIK, the registry is composed of hives. A hive is a key and all the
keys under it in the registry's tree structure.

--
Tim Slattery
MS MVP(DTS)
Slattery_T@bls.gov
http://members.cox.net/slatteryt

 

[Paradoxdb3]

MEB...Am I understanding correctly here? As long as there's a browser for
Windows 98, then I can safely use the internet? Currently I use Firefox 2.
Is that good? Then what happens when no more browsers will work under
Windows 98? Time to upgrade, I guess, hey!

As far as unofficial service packs, I feel leary using them. Do you use one
or have you ever used one? Any recommendations? Maybe I should just leave
it alone, since I'm happy with my Windows 98 experience.

"MEB" wrote:

>
>
> "Paradoxdb3" <Paradoxdb3@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news473AAA7-0B4B-49DE-A76C-11FE82749BF4@microsoft.com...
> | I was recently reading posts on the msfn.org and read a few things that I
> | thought this community might know about (maybe there are some people from
> | here who go there also).
> |
> | The first thing was that Windows 98 SE will soon be "dead" to the
> internet.
> | It will no longer be able to connect to newer websites that require a
> newer
> | browser/flash player and shuch. And since IE7 cannot be installed on
> Windows
> | 98, Windows 98 will soon be unable to be used for this purpose.
>
> Not true, IE 6 will be dead but Win98 can still be used as long as other
> browsers are used. One aspect though, is Microsoft continuing to attempt to
> require its browser upon its own Microsoft servers. It is sometimes
> difficult for third party browsers to mimick or use Microsoft specific
> aspects.
> So far support is carried through, as these browsers are NOT embedded in
> the operating system making most of the code specific to the application NOT
> the OS [which is as it should be].
>
> |
> | Then there were unofficial service packs which apparently allowed for
> | XP-only software to be installed on Windows 98 SE. (There's also a
> service
> | pack called Revolutions Pack or RP for short which allows Windows 98 to
> use
> | 32 bit icons in the task bar and tool bar...screenshots were also included
> | and it makes Windows 98 look like Vista!) Does anyone know anything about
> | these service packs? Should I avoid these, or are they safe to use?
>
> As with any *unofficial* modification, user beware. Some may or may NOT
> work as presented. Exactly how they work within the individual system,
> largely depends upon its present configuration. Moreover, the creators tend
> to include things THEY like in the packs [such as visual changes] which you
> may not appreciate.
>
> Additionally, support for these unofficial packs may not be all that great
> should something go wrong after an installation with either the OS or any
> application used therein.
>
> |
> | Lastly, there was a post about Microsoft getting rid of the registry in
> the
> | next version operating system...it that true? What will that mean to old
> | software? Will software companies have to rewrite their products?
> |
> | Thanks, I think that's it.
>
> Technically the registry is already gone, now its called hives.
>
> As for the next-generation software? Know one really knows for sure, but
> there is a major processor change in the works which WILL need an entirely
> new OS.
>
> --
> MEB
> http://peoplescounsel.orgfree.com
> ________
>
>
>
>

 

[MEB]

"Tim Slattery" <Slattery_T@bls.gov> wrote in message
news:te0qh3pfqoa2lqlq7t2l73rudqik8soten@4ax.com...
| "MEB" <meb@not here@hotmail.com> wrote:
|
|
| > Technically the registry is already gone, now its called hives.
|
| AFAIK, the registry is composed of hives. A hive is a key and all the
| keys under it in the registry's tree structure.
|
| --
| Tim Slattery
| MS MVP(DTS)
| Slattery_T@bls.gov
| http://members.cox.net/slatteryt


I think the reference was to the user.dat and system.dat, seems the newer
OSs handle portions of that somewhat differently don't they. Particularly
when related to individual user aspects.

--
MEB
http://peoplescounsel.orgfree.com
________

 

[MEB]

"Paradoxdb3" <Paradoxdb3@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:A843D27F-11E0-4FFA-B9EC-BDE7A99F769C@microsoft.com...
| MEB...Am I understanding correctly here? As long as there's a browser for
| Windows 98, then I can safely use the internet? Currently I use Firefox
2.
| Is that good? Then what happens when no more browsers will work under
| Windows 98? Time to upgrade, I guess, hey!

You can as long as your careful, check for spyware, have Anti-V, and keep
track of what going on *under the hood*, then the supported browsers provide
much better security than IE 6 SP1 as it was left by Microsoft. Microsoft
has continued to supply dozens of updates to IE 6, so that should tell you
something. If your behind a firewall and preferably a router as well, then
9X is fine for awhile longer preferably using another browser.. Of course if
you're going to ,, ah,, questionable sites then obviously you may have some
difficulties, but no more than you would with another OS.

|
| As far as unofficial service packs, I feel leary using them. Do you use
one
| or have you ever used one? Any recommendations? Maybe I should just
leave
| it alone, since I'm happy with my Windows 98 experience.
|

Well, that's probably best for now.

Yes, I have tested several, which is why I warned about potential issues
you may not like. Though each has numerous users who will *swear* by the
modifications, when it comes to potential conflicts, often you're on your
own. Its the same as when Microsoft changed the code in 98 and some of the
older programs quit working...

982ME, MDCU, and some others MAY be something you might want to look into,
however, do so AFTER you have backed-up or imaged in case you want to go
back to what you had.

--
MEB
http://peoplescounsel.orgfree.com
________


| "MEB" wrote:
|
| >
| >
| > "Paradoxdb3" <Paradoxdb3@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
| > news473AAA7-0B4B-49DE-A76C-11FE82749BF4@microsoft.com...
| > | I was recently reading posts on the msfn.org and read a few things
that I
| > | thought this community might know about (maybe there are some people
from
| > | here who go there also).
| > |
| > | The first thing was that Windows 98 SE will soon be "dead" to the
| > internet.
| > | It will no longer be able to connect to newer websites that require a
| > newer
| > | browser/flash player and shuch. And since IE7 cannot be installed on
| > Windows
| > | 98, Windows 98 will soon be unable to be used for this purpose.
| >
| > Not true, IE 6 will be dead but Win98 can still be used as long as
other
| > browsers are used. One aspect though, is Microsoft continuing to attempt
to
| > require its browser upon its own Microsoft servers. It is sometimes
| > difficult for third party browsers to mimick or use Microsoft specific
| > aspects.
| > So far support is carried through, as these browsers are NOT embedded
in
| > the operating system making most of the code specific to the application
NOT
| > the OS [which is as it should be].
| >
| > |
| > | Then there were unofficial service packs which apparently allowed for
| > | XP-only software to be installed on Windows 98 SE. (There's also a
| > service
| > | pack called Revolutions Pack or RP for short which allows Windows 98
to
| > use
| > | 32 bit icons in the task bar and tool bar...screenshots were also
included
| > | and it makes Windows 98 look like Vista!) Does anyone know anything
about
| > | these service packs? Should I avoid these, or are they safe to use?
| >
| > As with any *unofficial* modification, user beware. Some may or may NOT
| > work as presented. Exactly how they work within the individual system,
| > largely depends upon its present configuration. Moreover, the creators
tend
| > to include things THEY like in the packs [such as visual changes] which
you
| > may not appreciate.
| >
| > Additionally, support for these unofficial packs may not be all that
great
| > should something go wrong after an installation with either the OS or
any
| > application used therein.
| >
| > |
| > | Lastly, there was a post about Microsoft getting rid of the registry
in
| > the
| > | next version operating system...it that true? What will that mean to
old
| > | software? Will software companies have to rewrite their products?
| > |
| > | Thanks, I think that's it.
| >
| > Technically the registry is already gone, now its called hives.
| >
| > As for the next-generation software? Know one really knows for sure,
but
| > there is a major processor change in the works which WILL need an
entirely
| > new OS.
| >
| > --
| > MEB
| > http://peoplescounsel.orgfree.com
| > ________
| >
| >
| >
| >

 

[Tim Slattery]

Paradoxdb3 <Paradoxdb3@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:

>MEB...Am I understanding correctly here? As long as there's a browser for
>Windows 98, then I can safely use the internet?

Of course. You'll want to run an antivirus program, as MEB says.

> Currently I use Firefox 2. Is that good?

Very good.

>Then what happens when no more browsers will work under
>Windows 98? Time to upgrade, I guess, hey!

Yeah, but I think that will be a while yet. Even then, you'll still be
able to surf the net and access many sites. Not all will use some
snazzy new feature that your browser doesn't know about.

>As far as unofficial service packs, I feel leary using them. Do you use one
>or have you ever used one?

Not entirely sure what you mean. I'd be hesitant (at least) to use
anything that styles itself a "service pack", but doesn't come from
MS.

--
Tim Slattery
MS MVP(DTS)
Slattery_T@bls.gov
http://members.cox.net/slatteryt

 

[Paradoxdb3]

Thanks guys, for the replies. The only bit of advice I am currently not
using right now is the antivirus advice. I don't use any right now. I've
also posted this on a thread called "Sacanreg /backup"

"Tim Slattery" wrote:

> Paradoxdb3 <Paradoxdb3@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
>
> >MEB...Am I understanding correctly here? As long as there's a browser for
> >Windows 98, then I can safely use the internet?
>
> Of course. You'll want to run an antivirus program, as MEB says.
>
> > Currently I use Firefox 2. Is that good?
>
> Very good.
>
> >Then what happens when no more browsers will work under
> >Windows 98? Time to upgrade, I guess, hey!
>
> Yeah, but I think that will be a while yet. Even then, you'll still be
> able to surf the net and access many sites. Not all will use some
> snazzy new feature that your browser doesn't know about.
>
> >As far as unofficial service packs, I feel leary using them. Do you use one
> >or have you ever used one?
>
> Not entirely sure what you mean. I'd be hesitant (at least) to use
> anything that styles itself a "service pack", but doesn't come from
> MS.
>
> --
> Tim Slattery
> MS MVP(DTS)
> Slattery_T@bls.gov
> http://members.cox.net/slatteryt
>

 

[98 Guy]

How long will Windows-98 last (inferior subect line change)

Note that I changed the subject line to something more informative.
Most people appreciate a descriptive subject line when reading usenet
postings.

Paradoxdb3 wrote:

> The first thing was that Windows 98 SE will soon be "dead" to the
> internet.

That thread on MSFN has been largely discredited.

> And since IE7 cannot be installed on Windows 98

And neither can it be installed on Windows 2K, which means MicroShaft
will have to keep supporting IE6 for a few more years (up to the point
when they stop supporting win-2K).

> Windows 98 will soon be unable to be used for this purpose.

An unsupported conclusion based on faulty knowledge.

> Does anyone know anything about these service packs? Should I
> avoid these, or are they safe to use?

You don't have to use the service packs. You can obtain a handful of
Windows-2K updates for IE6, unpack them, and transplant the files onto
your win-98 system yourself.

> Am I understanding correctly here? As long as there's a browser
> for Windows 98, then I can safely use the internet?
> Then what happens when no more browsers will work under
> Windows 98? Time to upgrade, I guess, hey!

The premis of your questions borders on the absurd - almost trollish.

You have posted similar security-related questions in
microsoft.public.win98.internet. I have posted a reply there to one
of your posts.

 

[... et al.]

Re: How long will Windows-98 last (inferior subect line change)

98 Guy wrote:

> Paradoxdb3 wrote:

[snip]

>
>> And since IE7 cannot be installed on Windows 98
>
> And neither can it be installed on Windows 2K, which means MicroShaft
> will have to keep supporting IE6 for a few more years (up to the point
> when they stop supporting win-2K).

As an alternative perhaps ms /could/ provide an official way to
unbundle and uninstall the perennial security-risk (Internet
Explorer) from Win2k0 (and hopefully from Win98xE as well).

Perish the thought.


--
Nah-ah. I'm staying out of this. ... Now, here's my opinion.

Please followup in the newsgroup.
E-mail address is invalid due to spam-control.

 

[Dan]

Re: How long will Windows-98 last (inferior subect line change)

<test post> My first response never showed up about this. Windows 98 Second
Edition is a great operating system. You can just go to secunia.com and see
that Windows 98 Second Edition is safer than XP Professional. Mozilla
Firefox is better than Internet Explorer with its 256 bit AES encryption. I
posted 10 steps and I don't know why they did not show up unless they are
somewhere else.

"... et al." wrote:

> 98 Guy wrote:
>
> > Paradoxdb3 wrote:
>
> [snip]
>
> >
> >> And since IE7 cannot be installed on Windows 98
> >
> > And neither can it be installed on Windows 2K, which means MicroShaft
> > will have to keep supporting IE6 for a few more years (up to the point
> > when they stop supporting win-2K).
>
> As an alternative perhaps ms /could/ provide an official way to
> unbundle and uninstall the perennial security-risk (Internet
> Explorer) from Win2k0 (and hopefully from Win98xE as well).
>
> Perish the thought.
>
>
> --
> Nah-ah. I'm staying out of this. ... Now, here's my opinion.
>
> Please followup in the newsgroup.
> E-mail address is invalid due to spam-control.
>

 

[Dan]

RE: How long will Windows-98 last (inferior subect line change)

It would be a better subject line but why not add something useful to your
post 98 Guy and not just blame people. I guess I have another post to report
now.

 

[teebo]

Re: How long will Windows-98 last (inferior subect line change)

>> The first thing was that Windows 98 SE will soon be "dead" to the
>> internet.
>
> That thread on MSFN has been largely discredited.

noone sane uses InternetExplorer, but what is more important is
that there is currently no version of Firefox3 for win9x.
(besides, IE7 is ugly)

Of course, HTML is made to be both backward- and forward- compatible
so that if a browser don't support for example images, the webpage
have to have an alternative text, you should code your webpages so that
it works even if the user don't have javascript with the <noscript> -tag
etc.
The problem is that some "webmasters" don't do as they should...
Lets say that it gets incredibly popular to have all-SVG-pages in the
future (like those horriful all-flash-pages today that I refuse to vist)
and noone makes a SVG-plugin for firefox2 and latest opera for win9x....
(Ok, they already have SVG-support but the next thing after SVG then)

sure, it have nothing to do with the operatingsystem itself but
what os your favorite program supports. Tell me how to run latest version
of 3DsMax on win98 please...

>> And since IE7 cannot be installed on Windows 98
>
> And neither can it be installed on Windows 2K, which means MicroShaft
> will have to keep supporting IE6 for a few more years (up to the point
> when they stop supporting win-2K).

extended support for windows 2000 ends at 2010-07-13 so we have to accept
that there are huge amounts of people using IE6 until then I guess -)
(yes I know, people won't stop using IE6 just because ms say so
but it would be nice if there were less than 5% using IE6 in 2011.
and don't get me wrong, NCSA Mosaic is still a nice browser)

about ms support... if I understand right current end-of-life date
for XP is 2014-04-08? (but you can't buy XP after 2009-01-31)
what is "Mainstream Support"? (ends April 2009 now)

>> Does anyone know anything about these service packs? Should I
>> avoid these, or are they safe to use?

if you need some functionality in a servicepack, you should of course
use them (or their parts if you don't need all). And about safety
- they have the same safety as Microsofts own things. [ok microsofts
things don't tend to be that safe whatsoever and I don't trust MS
one tiny bit, so perhaps I should say "they are probably more safe
than the stuff microsoft do, and they don't try to sneak in things
like ms update do"]

And since you still are using Windows, you are still nowhere near "safe"
of course :-D

> You don't have to use the service packs. You can obtain a handful of
> Windows-2K updates for IE6, unpack them, and transplant the files onto
> your win-98 system yourself.
>
>> Am I understanding correctly here? As long as there's a browser
>> for Windows 98, then I can safely use the internet?
>> Then what happens when no more browsers will work under
>> Windows 98? Time to upgrade, I guess, hey!
>
> The premis of your questions borders on the absurd - almost trollish.

yes it is strange that there is people that still thinks that
Internet = Web = InternetExplorer

but on the other hand since lot of people don't know what is
"computer" and "keyboard" and "monitor" I guess it is more strange
that they don't say "should I send an outlook to you?" when they mean
email....

my own mother have problems understanding what I say when I say
"press right mouse button. (no! the right button. riiight!! the RIGHT
button!)"
and this is in an language where the words "left" and "right"
don't have any other meaning like in english.

(A language where you can't have the joke "if I have pressed
all the wrong buttons and there is only one left, then that is the
right one even if it is the left one, right?" or something.......)
booring?


But really, I guess todays computers are too complicated to use for
people who are not intersted in computers like you and me. Why should
they have to learn how to do and what things are called. They don't
want to learn about computers, just use them. and probably as little
as possible. they want to learn about flowers or chemistry or
brain surgeon or something.. not how to use computers. The same people
that thinks "programming" a video recorder for the TV is hard.
Sure, *I* don't want to use a the kind of computer they need but...

but let for the sake of mathematics anlayse the question.

A= there exists a browser that can be run in Windows 98
B= that browser can show special media contents (say some new video
format) that exist on some important web page I like (implied)
C= it is safe to use the internet (with win98 and that browser)

will A ^ B -> C ??? noo.......

>> Then what happens when no more browsers will work under
>> Windows 98? Time to upgrade, I guess, hey!

You will probably have other problems before that. your old computer
is to slow for the new three dimensional HDTV browser based menu games
that your favourite blogging site have changed to, so you decide to
but a new one. but the new motherboard have no drivers for win98...
or something

 

[teebo]

(Hmm... where did half of my (too long) text go... ok here is the rest)

> Then there were unofficial service packs which apparently allowed for
> XP-only software to be installed on Windows 98 SE. (There's also a
> service

I wouldn't call KernelEx (that you are thinking of) a "servicepack"...
It is at version v0.3.2a and should work ok. I think the source code
for it is ment to be released too if you want to check what it do. it is a
work-in-progress so you should of course make a bakup of your Windows
installation before you try it.

> Lastly, there was a post about Microsoft getting rid of the registry in
> the
> next version operating system...it that true? What will that mean to old
> software? Will software companies have to rewrite their products?

even if microsoft in the future, say "Windows 2012 Maximus Edition Hyper
plus"
want to remove the registry idea completely because they have come to the
conclusion that it was a bad idea to centralize all settings (or more
probably
that it isn't complicated^h^h^h^h^h^h^h^h^h^h^h advanced enough), they
can't.
not without killing all support for most windows-programs. And if the new
fancy
version of Windows don't support programs that people allready use, most
people
tend to *not* buy the new windowsversion (poor microsoft.... -D )
What they can do is invent a new way of saving the registry-data in
files on the disk, but as long as the api stays the same it doesn't mather.