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| Thursday, September 23, 2004 | |
In a ZDNet Article it's being reported that Microsoft will stop providing security updates for Windows 98,NT,2000, etc.... all but Windows XP SP2. This will force people to either upgrade or buy a new computer. In either case, Microsoft stands to earn a few bucks off this decision
If we just look at the number of computers connected to the Internet (approximate 233,101,481 - Jan 2004) times the percentage of NT, 2000, & 98 computers (37%), then at $99/upgrade, Microsoft stands to make over $8.5+ Billion dollars. It's not about security, it's about the money.
Will any new holes be discovered in the the older operating systems? Probably, so is upgrading the answer, probably not. Upgrading an older computer to Windows XP may not be a reasonable solution (disk space, memory, CPU speed, etc). But, unless you decide to switch to a MAC or install Linux you're eventually going to be forced to upgrade. What's next? How about lack of support for XP to force and upgrade to Longhorn?
The future is not bright for technically obsolete computers, but it might be worth buying stock in MS.
Posted on 09/23/04 at 12:25:33 by Jim Gray
Category: Security
Comments
I am disgusted with the recent turn of events at Microsoft.
In the not to distant past they worked feverishly to destroy the competition. By killing Comodore as an OS and as a result putting them out of business. Also by rendering IBM's OS2 virtually usless and the fact that they had next to driven Apple out of business, (the only reason Apple is still here is that Microsoft in the face of antitrust litigation assisted in a bail out package for them) they had cornered the market.
Microsoft knows that Linux and the other flavours of Unix clones are not at present any great threat in the marketplace for them as there are few PC manufacturers that will build a computer with an OS other than MS on it. These companies are profit driven as well and they know that even though great strides have been made to make these other various OS's easier for the consumer to use, unless you have had some IT training or are willing to take the time to learn a totally new system, they are not to the point of 'set it and forget it'.
Most consumers are in the unenviable position of virtually being held hostage by the giant, as who really can go up against them. When one considers that Microsofts anual profits are greater than most countries GNP who can afford to take them on other than maybe the U.S. government. Even they know they are more apt to inconvenience them as opposed to really hurting them when push comes to shove.
I applaude Bill Gates for having the foresight to see where his operating system may lead (though I doubt even he realized how vast his empire would become). As with any totalitarian government though ultimate power breeds ultimate contempt. It then is normally not long till it begins feeding on it's own.
How many people have had their worlds brought to an end due to the fact that the company they worked so hard to build has come crashing down around them. Some from a hijack of thier companies information and/or systems due to someone maliciously hacking their networks. All caused by gaping security holes in the software they use. Holes that were known about by the software manufacturer they had put their trust in, but who that manufacturer decided to do little or nothing about. And now that very manufacturer deems to charge you the consumer to correct the problem they allowed to get out of hand. And you the consumer, unless you are willing to spend vast amounts to completely change from the system you are using to one you know little or nothing about. You are forced to either live with the possibility of having your system hacked or pay for the fixes that, will no doubt, in short order be found to be much less than what is needed to correct the problem.
Many companies have been created from Microsofts poor policies and many have died from them. When the dust settles though there is only one left to pay the piper -- guess who -- you the consumer.
Anyway that's the way I see it.
Jimm (GrayWolf)
I want to add my comments to this thread because this is a subject that I have been ranting about for some time. I agree with Lois that The Borg of Redmond needs to be taken down a notch or even two. This latest announcement is typical of the, IMHO, questiomable marketing ethics practiced by MS.
Their arrogance is unbelievable. They think that they have made it ll but impossible for us to switch to another operating system. And, perhaps, for now they have. My computer is set as a double boot system. I can use either XP, which is what the computer came with, or Linux Mandrake. At the moment I use my XP most of the time because of two reasons.
The main reason is that most of the software that came with the computer is designed for Windows. However, I have found Linux alternatives for most of it. The problem is that setting up a Linux system is much harder for those of us who are technically challenged. If one of the Linux OS designers would only design a version of Linux that was very simple to install, like Windows is, then I would gladly go Linux full time.
In 2006, at the latest, I intend to replace my current computer. I guarantee it will not be a Windows OS. I will either go with an Apple, although the cost of an Apple is higher than a PC, or I will buy a HP with Linux pre-installed and configured. As far as I know, right now HP is the only computer manufacturer that offers such a system.
I do agree that those who have older operating systems will need to upgrade not only their operating systems, but their computers as well, since the older machines cannot handle XP. What I am urging these people to do is to upgrade to a non-Windows machine, either an Apple or a Linux-based system. Both offer software that will allow you to run programs that are Windows-based, so at least we can run those Windows programs we paid for.
As far as future software purchases go, I am only adding open-source software to my computer now so that when I swtich to either a Mac or Linux machine, I will not be so dependent on The Borg for my software needs.
Hi Jim,
I think the biggest gripe I have about Microsoft is the fact that their products are full of bloated code and gaping security holes. Then instead of fixing the problem, they in essence will blackmail people into using XP. I really don't mind XP but my desktop computer runs Windows 2000 Pro and I like that one too. Why should I be forced into a secure operating system by the company who wrote the software to begin with?
Microsoft needs to be taken down a notch.
FreeBSD is similar in Linux in that it is a Unix clone. Unix has had a reputation for decades in being a very secure and stable environment.
Hi Jim,
RE: "How about lack of support for XP to force and upgrade to Longhorn?
"
Their history is proof that this will be the case. Too bad really. Most people will go ahead and pay the ransom and upgrade to the next bug ridden OS.
I don't mind beta testing but I feel the consumer should have a discount card by now for all the beta testing the consumer does for MS.
I noticed you mentioned Linux or Mac I was wondering if you have heard of FreeBSD and if you have ever tried it?
I heard from another IT that a client of his that ran FreeBSD on his server and it had not gone down in over three years of constant running.
Seems impressive...
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In the not to distant past they worked feverishly to destroy the competition. By killing Comodore as an OS and as a result putting them out of business. Also by rendering IBM's OS2 virtually usless and the fact that they had next to driven Apple out of business, (the only reason Apple is still here is that Microsoft in the face of antitrust litigation assisted in a bail out package for them) they had cornered the market.
Microsoft knows that Linux and the other flavours of Unix clones are not at present any great threat in the marketplace for them as there are few PC manufacturers that will build a computer with an OS other than MS on it. These companies are profit driven as well and they know that even though great strides have been made to make these other various OS's easier for the consumer to use, unless you have had some IT training or are willing to take the time to learn a totally new system, they are not to the point of 'set it and forget it'.
Most consumers are in the unenviable position of virtually being held hostage by the giant, as who really can go up against them. When one considers that Microsofts anual profits are greater than most countries GNP who can afford to take them on other than maybe the U.S. government. Even they know they are more apt to inconvenience them as opposed to really hurting them when push comes to shove.
I applaude Bill Gates for having the foresight to see where his operating system may lead (though I doubt even he realized how vast his empire would become). As with any totalitarian government though ultimate power breeds ultimate contempt. It then is normally not long till it begins feeding on it's own.
How many people have had their worlds brought to an end due to the fact that the company they worked so hard to build has come crashing down around them. Some from a hijack of thier companies information and/or systems due to someone maliciously hacking their networks. All caused by gaping security holes in the software they use. Holes that were known about by the software manufacturer they had put their trust in, but who that manufacturer decided to do little or nothing about. And now that very manufacturer deems to charge you the consumer to correct the problem they allowed to get out of hand. And you the consumer, unless you are willing to spend vast amounts to completely change from the system you are using to one you know little or nothing about. You are forced to either live with the possibility of having your system hacked or pay for the fixes that, will no doubt, in short order be found to be much less than what is needed to correct the problem.
Many companies have been created from Microsofts poor policies and many have died from them. When the dust settles though there is only one left to pay the piper -- guess who -- you the consumer.
Anyway that's the way I see it.
Jimm (GrayWolf)