The Life and Death of Microsoft Software

coondoggie writes "With Microsoft aiming to release Vista real soon now, they've been retiring older versions of the Windows OS. For IT outfits it's yet again time to evaluate what stays and what goes, and make plans for the future. Network World discusses the life cycle of Microsoft's software." From the article: "'Generally, it is a bad idea to run unsupported software, but there can be a business case to run it,' says Cary Shufelt, Windows infrastructure architect at Oregon State University, in Corvallis. The university still has some NT machines running in isolation in its labs. But Shufelt says there are security risks in allowing connections to legacy machines and that the university makes sure to minimize those risks. 'We don't allow [Windows] 9.x clients to connect to our Active Directory,' he says. 'But we try to stay current with technology so these issues don't typically come up.' Others say they also stay current to avoid headaches and fire drills."

Comments

Brings up the question

[robertjw]

What constitutes 'unsupported software'? While patches from Microsoft are nice and all, the important thing is software vendor support. Until the killer app that keeps my business running is supported on Vista there is no way I would change. In fact, I'm sure it will take quite some time for vendor support to reach the level it's at for current Microsoft OS's.

This article is somewhat misleading because we are talking about Windows 98. 98 sucks and pretty much always has. I can't understand why anyone wouldn't move from 98 to 2000 or XP (or slackware). Running an unsuppported OS is one thing. Running a worthless buggy OS is completely another.

Get out the funeral attire...

[abscissa]

Vista will be stillborn!

funny

[crabpeople]

I assure you, i cannot go and put my BMW's engine in my Audi and have it all just "work"

[Intercom buzzes. Dave presses button.]

Secretary on intercom: Excuse me, sir, your beautiful and intelligent wife is on the phone.

Dave: Oh. [Picks up phone.] Hello. Uh- huh. Well why don't you take the blue Porsche, well then take the red Porsche. Well what are you wearing? Well then I suggest you take the BMW. Do you love me, uh-huh, whatever. [ Hangs up.] So go on, you had- a thought?