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Microsoft Retires Windows 98

prostoalex writes "Complying with the court requirement related to Sun-Microsoft lawsuit over Java, Microsoft is retiring Windows 98, SQL Server 7, Office XP Developer Edition and some other products."

44 of 697 comments (clear)

  1. ding, dong... by rokzy · · Score: 3, Funny

    ...the witch is dead

  2. Re:So? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Did you just refer to Win98 as "stable?" Good god, you're delusional.

  3. hurrah! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Best news since 1998!!!

    1. Re:hurrah! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      And what was the good news back then?

      Clinton could not be reelected to a third term.

  4. Here's to hoping... by KirkH · · Score: 1, Funny

    ...it retires to a nice warm spot in Hell!

    Maybe that was a little harsh.

  5. Dys damnlexia by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    I read that as "Microsoft Retries Windows 98" and I thought, "Didn't they learn the first time around?"

  6. Fact: Windows 98 is dying by cpeterso · · Score: 5, Funny

    Fact: Windows 98 is dying

    It is common knowledge that Windows 98 is dying. Everyone knows that ever hapless Windows 98 is mired in an irrecoverable and mortifying tangle of fatal trouble. It is perhaps anybody's guess as to which Windows 98 is the worst off of an admittedly suffering Windows 98 community. The numbers continue to decline for Windows but Windows 98 may be hurting the most. Look at the numbers. The erosion of user base for FreeBSD continues in a head spinning downward spiral.

    All major marketing surveys show that Windows 98 has steadily declined in market share. Windows 98 is very sick and its long term survival prospects are very dim. If Windows 98 is to survive at all it will be among hobbyist dilettante dabblers. In truth, for all practical purposes Windows 98 is already dead. It is a dead man walking.

    Fact: Windows 98 is dying

    1. Re:Fact: Windows 98 is dying by Compact+Dick · · Score: 2, Funny
      I sucked on day one...
      Missing your childhood, aye?
  7. Why is this news? by Lane.exe · · Score: 5, Funny
    In other news, Windows 3.1, long the holdout of solitaire, minesweeper and QBASIC enthusiasts the world over, has been retired by Microsoft.

    --
    IAALS.
    1. Re:Why is this news? by nate1138 · · Score: 4, Funny

      You forgot about BOB. From the press release:

      Microsoft BOB, after many years on top as the premier productivity assistant, is set to be retired. A Microsoft spokesman said: "We deeply regret the decision to end the life of such a successful product. However, a new breed of assistants, led by our popular 'Clippy' mascot will continue our fine tradition of assistive software." In response, user groups the world over have petitioned Microsoft to open-source BOB.

      --
      Where's my lobbyist? Right here.
    2. Re:Why is this news? by R2.0 · · Score: 3, Funny

      Boss gets a new laptop, has Win2k on it. 1st question: "Where are the games?"

      Like an idiot, I find them on his machine and drag them to his desktop.

      Now it's either freestyle, porn, or travel reservations - I don't know that he's even opened any other applications, much less done any work.

      --
      "As God is my witness, I thought turkeys could fly." A. Carlson
  8. Just wait... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    ...one day they'll be back. Trying to coax 98 out of retirement for 1 more mission. At first, 98 will be adament that he is retired. But then, they will tell him about an evil so great...

    1. Re:Just wait... by GnomeAttic · · Score: 2, Funny

      I think its more likely that 98 will be killed in action on its last day before retirement. In light of this tragedy, Windows XP will avenge 98's death and save the world in the process.

  9. Heh.. you left a 'FreeBSD' in there ;) by Shalome · · Score: 4, Funny

    ;) Proofreading is your friend.

    --
    Moderation totals that amuse me for one of my posts: Flamebait=1, Insightful=2, Funny=2, Overrated=1, Underrated=1
  10. Damn by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    At first I only read the first two words in the title.
    Oh well, too good to be true.

  11. Uhh.... by jetkust · · Score: 5, Funny

    Let's look on the bright side, Windows ME is still in circulation.

    1. Re:Uhh.... by irokitt · · Score: 5, Funny

      Either you have never tried your hand at tech support (formal or informal) or you have a sick sense of humor. Don't joke about 'ME, man.

      --
      If my answers frighten you, stop asking scary questions.
  12. Long life to win98 by armando_wall · · Score: 5, Funny

    Long life to an OS which filled my life with the joy of rebooting, freezing and hardware failure blue screens (since the day of its presentation).

    It will be missed! :'-(

  13. Retirement? by MandoSKippy · · Score: 2, Funny

    Retirement? Windows 98? doesn't the word "retirement" indicate that that which is retiring worked? ... hmm

  14. Re:Hollow victory by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    Lunix? [sic]

  15. Re:So? by Boing · · Score: 4, Funny
    I got windows 98 to run for weeks at a time

    I guess your screensaver was pretty busy...

    Wait, what the hell am I saying, Windows 98 wouldn't be able to run a screensaver without crashing for weeks at a time.

  16. Noooo... by bunhed · · Score: 5, Funny

    Who are we going to call for support of our office machi... oh... right... we never did get any support did we...

  17. Won't this make Win98 abandonware? -nt- by Eudial · · Score: 2, Funny

    -nt-

    --
    GAAH! MY PRINTER IS ON FIRE!!! PUT IT OUT! PUT IT OUT!
  18. Re:Hollow victory by bdigit · · Score: 3, Funny

    Windows XP?

  19. Re:Does this include Windows 98 Second Edition? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    Actually, I stand corrected. They do release drivers for it, only it takes a month or so more :)

  20. $699 to Sun... by 3Suns · · Score: 2, Funny

    Microsoft is retiring Windows 98 because of licensing problems with Sun. Starting June 1, 2003, Sun will begin suing Windows 98 end-users for IP violations, unless they pay $1400 per processor. Act before the date, and Sun will discount the IP license to only $699 per processor.

    So upgrading to Windows XP at only $500 a license will be a huge discount, plus you get a better OS! Even bigger savings if you have a multiprocessor!

    --

    -3Suns

    ~~~~
    The Revolution will be Slashdotted
  21. Re:No, it does not include Win98 SE by ad_anderson · · Score: 2, Funny

    I find that Windows NT 4.0 being on both lists highly amusing. Somehow they're going to release a java-compliant version and then yank it from the shelves before 12/15/03.

  22. Re:Win98 Was Still Available??? by CoolMoDee · · Score: 2, Funny

    Goto fry's eleectronics, they got shelves and shelves of Win98/ME still at 130 bucks, it dosn't look like it is going anywhere anytime soon, so Fry's Electronics: For all of your Win9x needs.

    --
    Jisho - A Japanese English German Russian French Dictionary for the rest of us.
  23. Re:So? by GrayCalx · · Score: 2, Funny

    microsoft: taking a bad ruling and turning it into a cash cow. again.

    Sorry but what were they supposed to do? Sit in the corner like the badboy they are and think about what they'd done?

    There'll be no dessert for MS either! Bad MS, bad MS.

  24. Re:Upgrade by pizzaman100 · · Score: 4, Funny
    ...but what about those of us who speak Aramic?

    You must really be looking forward to watching "The Passion". :)

  25. Re:Truly Sad..... by AchmedHabib · · Score: 2, Funny

    That's just because every attempt to root it, always results in a bluescreen

  26. Re:Still quite a few WIn 98 boxes out there by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    Windows 89?! Tsk, Tsk, even the 3.1 users have a leg up on you.

  27. Well it's a good start.... by DukeLinux · · Score: 2, Funny

    Now if they would just retire Windows 2000 and Windows XP (Windows ME does not count).

  28. Re:So? by Kindaian · · Score: 2, Funny

    Compared with Windows ME... is ROCK SOLID!!!

  29. Too bad... by Beek · · Score: 3, Funny

    It was the best thing to happen to Linux.

  30. Re:Others Should be able to legally support it the by TALlama · · Score: 5, Funny

    Alright, you can go ahead and make your millions supporting Win98. But here's a few less painful ways to make a living:

    1) Break your own legs in front of audiences. Every night.
    2) Test new versions of salt and its ability to make paper cuts hurt.
    3) Test the newest Windows UIs until your eyes bleed. Part time only; no one could do an eight-hour day.
    4) Try to get Mobsters to pay protection money.
    5) Become a mercenary and invade China. Alone.
    6) Do an undercover report on how to get out of a Mexican Prison by doing so first hand.

    Good luck!

    --

    - The Amazina Llama

  31. Truly an American Icon by ENOENT · · Score: 4, Funny

    Specifically, an ugly 2D icon that makes Mac users howl with laughter.

    --
    That's "Mr. Soulless Automaton" to you, Bub.
  32. Re:Upgrade by operagost · · Score: 2, Funny

    I don't think XP is $500 even in Canadian.

    --

    Gamingmuseum.com: Give your 3D accelerator a rest.
  33. Re:Harsh assessment? by EpsCylonB · · Score: 2, Funny

    Tin foil, get your tin foil!

    If you are not already wearing your tin foil hat then you have already been compromised...

  34. Re:So? by jonfelder · · Score: 5, Funny

    Uptime typically refers to how long the machine can stay on without rebooting, not how long you keep the operating system on there without reinstalling.

    Granted keeping 98 on there for weeks without a reinstall is an admirable feat.

  35. Woo Hoo! Safe again! by Zygote-IC- · · Score: 3, Funny

    I was reading down the list, scared to death that I would have to upgrade, but I don't see Microsoft BOB anywhere on there.
    SAFE AGAIN!!

  36. Microsoft "retries"? by siskbc · · Score: 2, Funny
    I read that as "Microsoft Retries Windows 98" and I thought, "Didn't they learn the first time around?"

    No, the first time around they used "abort" and "fail."

    --

    -Looking for a job as a materials chemist or multivariat

  37. Re:So? by The+Clockwork+Troll · · Score: 4, Funny

    Apparently Microsoft has succeeded in making people feel their systems are stable as long as they don't need to be reformatted frequently?

    --

    There are no karma whores, only moderation johns
  38. Re:So? by Stephen+Samuel · · Score: 3, Funny
    You are full of crap. I was able to run Win98 for 2 years without a reformat,

    Oh, sorry. My mistake.

    I thought you were talking about running Win-98 for weeks without a reboot.

    silly comment of the minute:
    "I've been booting my Linux box daily for the last year. The computer's fine, but my shoe's starting to wear out."

    --
    Free Software: Like love, it grows best when given away.